The COVID-19 epidemic continues to grow worse as new cases spring up. As of March 29, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there were 122,653 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 2,112 fatalities in the USA. While the CDC does note that “we do not have evidence that companion animals, including pets, can spread COVID-19,” many transportation systems that would normally help you transport your fur babies from place to place are temporarily unavailable.
Why Use Ground Transportation for Your Pet?
While air transportation is fast and convenient (when it’s available), there are some circumstances where ground transportation is the better (or only) option.
- Some Dog Breeds Are Not Available to Fly Within the USA. Some dog breeds and dogs over a certain size are prohibited from air travel within the US. Health concerns is a major reason for these restrictions. For example, short-nosed dog breeds like pit bulls or pugs may suffer respiratory problems when flying.
- Easier Access to Veterinary Services. Not many veterinary clinics are stationed right in the airport, and most flights won’t have a veterinarian on board just to take care of pets. So, if your pet experiences an emergency, they won’t be able to get care until the plane lands and treatment can be arranged. And, considering how infrequently pets in the cargo section get checked during the flight, problems might go unnoticed until the plane has already landed, further delaying response. With a ground transportation service, your beloved pet can be monitored much more closely, and some services (like My Pet Cab), even have on-call veterinary services on hand for emergencies.
- Availability for Shorter Trips. Using a ground transportation service to carry your furry friends to their grooming and veterinary appointments can be a great way to follow social distancing best practices while making sure your pets get the care they deserve during the coronavirus outbreak. My Pet Cab exceeds every industry standard for security, care, and training. Your pet will be monitored at a higher level than is possible with air travel and drivers are able to respond immediately to needs as they arise. In addition to the driver and assistant, each move is separately monitored by My Pet Cab dispatch, which tracks movement, air temperature, and safety stops.
- Temperature Regulations Can Prohibit Air travel for Pets. Air travel can be severely limited in the summer months in cities where temperatures exceed 85 degrees. Pets are not allowed to travel by air to cities where heat could cause additional health concerns.
Remember: Air travel is still an excellent option for most pets. However, with air options being temporarily unavailable, and many airlines being shut down, it may simply be necessary to find alternative means—such as ground transportation.
The whole COVID-19 situation is scary, but that doesn’t mean that you should be without options for safely and securely moving your pet where they need to go. In the meantime, stay safe and, if you have any questions about pet ground transportation services like My Pet Cab, give us a call at (877) My-PetCab (877-697-38222).
