Summary
You may be able to take your pet ferret with you on your airplane flight, depending on where you are going and which airline you choose. Here are some essential considerations before traveling with your pet ferret.
Is Your Destination Ferret-Friendly?
Ferret lovers believe that ferrets make excellent pets. They are friendly, adjust their sleep schedules to yours, and look at you with endearing expressions. However, ferrets are not accepted as pets in some countries, states, cities, and territories. In the US, travelers cannot bring ferrets into California, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. A permit is required to keep a pet ferret in Rhode Island. Additionally, some US cities and towns have local laws banning pet ferrets. Similarly, Australia’s Queensland and Northern Territory do not allow ferrets as pets, and importing ferrets into Australia is prohibited.
Tip: The United Kingdom’s PETS scheme allows you to bring pet ferrets into the UK without a six-month quarantine, provided that you follow the outlined process. Furthermore, ferrets can only enter the UK via specific approved air carrier routes, necessitating checking the approved routes before making any travel arrangements.
Microchip and Vaccinate Your Ferret
If you plan to travel with your pet ferret, ensure all vaccinations are up to date. Island nations particularly enforce specific rabies vaccination requirements. Therefore, it is crucial to verify these regulations before vaccinating your ferret, ensuring that your veterinarian vaccinates your pet within the required timeframe. Additionally, microchipping your ferret is important, both because it may be a requirement of your destination country, and for easy identification in case your ferret gets lost.
Organize Your Ferret’s Documents
Check if your destination country mandates a health certificate signed by your veterinarian for your ferret. If required, be proactive in obtaining this document within the stipulated timeframe. It’s wise to keep your ferret’s medical records and vaccination certificates in your carry-on bag while traveling, rather than in checked baggage.
Choose a Ferret-Friendly Airline
Finding an airline that transports ferrets can be challenging. No major US airlines allow ferrets in the passenger cabin, and only a few, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, permit ferrets in the baggage hold. International carriers are equally hesitant to transport ferrets. Therefore, it is advisable to communicate with various airlines prior to purchasing tickets to determine if your ferret can accompany you on your trip. (Tip: Delta Air Lines will accept ferrets traveling to the UK as air cargo but will not permit them in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage.)
Fly at the Right Time of Year
Even with a ferret-friendly airline, it’s important to note that pets can’t travel in the baggage hold during extreme weather conditions. Ferrets are particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures, leading to these guidelines being enforced for the well-being of your pet. Therefore, scheduling your trip for spring or autumn increases the likelihood of a successful journey with your ferret.
Ferrets as Service Animals
The US Air Carrier Access Act specifies that airlines are not obliged to transport ferrets in their passenger cabins, even when the ferret is classified as a service animal.
Consider Transportation Alternatives
Currently, taking a pet ferret on Amtrak or Greyhound is not an option, but you can certainly drive with your ferret. If locating a ferret-friendly airline proves to be problematic, evaluate your travel plans considering your ferret’s comfort and well-being, and consider car travel as an alternative.
