When you're up in the air about shipping pets

Q: We are moving cross-country, and I am wondering about the best way to transport our pets. Is it safe to ship them by air?

A: Air cargo is the fastest way to move your pets, but it definitely has drawbacks. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals actually recommends against shipping pets by air because of concerns about stress, temperature extremes, possible mishandling during transport and the potential for loss of the pet. If you have an option, I think it's safer for your pet to travel with you by car or to travel beneath your seat on board the plane. If that's not possible:

* Ship pets only if they are healthy and past young puppyhood or kittenhood. Animals who are very young, very old, sick, frail, in season or pregnant should not travel in air cargo. That goes double for animals with flat faces, such as bulldogs, Boston terriers, pugs or Persian cats. Those animals are less tolerant of temperature extremes and are more likely to die in flight.

* Check an airline's pet-shipping safety record at www.dot.gov/airconsumer/air-travel-consumer-reports.

* Choose a nonstop flight.

* If you are traveling in summer, book your pet on a night flight to reduce the risk of heatstroke.

* Don't give your pet a tranquilizer beforehand. It can depress his breathing ability and make him less able to brace himself during turbulence.