Have you fallen in love with an Aussiedoodle puppy at a breeder or rescue beyond the scope of driving? If you are not able to fly to pick up your new puppy in person, a Puppy Flight Nanny is an option offered by an increasing number of breeders.
This service involves a professional accompanying a puppy on a flight from the breeder to the new owner. But what exactly does a flight nanny do, and what are the considerations involved in using such a service? This detailed post explores the role of puppy flight nannies, the regulations governing their work, the costs involved, and how their services compare to other options like cargo travel or personal pickup.
What is a Puppy Flight Nanny?
A puppy flight nanny is an individual that transports a puppy by air from breeders to new owners. This person may be an employee of a pet transportation company–or may be the breeder herself or one of the breeder’s employees.
Unlike traditional pet transportation methods, a flight nanny personally accompanies the puppy in the cabin of the airplane. This service ensures that the puppy has care and attention throughout the journey, making it a much safer option over cargo.
They handle all aspects of the puppy’s air travel, including booking flights, coordinating with airlines, and managing paperwork such as the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
In flight, your puppy will need to remain in the soft-sided carrier beneath the seat in front of the flight nanny at all times. Air regulations prohibit a flight nanny–or anyone, except in the case of a service dog–from removing the dog from its carrier on the plane.
Good flight nannies will keep the owner updated with regular updates as they head to the airport, check in and go through TSA security, often including photos and messages, to keep them informed of the puppy’s status.
Once the flight lands, the puppy flight nanny meets the new owner in the airport terminal, hands over the puppy and turns around to head back on a return flight.
Typically the flight nanny makes the flights in one long day rather than overnighting so some will prefer to use major airports where a return flight is possible on the same day.
How Old Does an Aussiedoodle Puppy Have to be to Fly?
Your Aussiedoodle puppy can fly with a puppy flight nanny IF he is at least eight weeks old–and a reputable breeder would not allow you to take a puppy younger than eight weeks anyway.
The USDA states:
USDA regulations require that dogs be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling. No more than two live puppies 8 weeks to 6 months of age, that are of comparable size, and weighing 20 pounds (9 Kg) or less, may be transported in the same kennel.
USDA
Cost of Flight Nanny Services
The cost of hiring a flight nanny can vary widely, typically ranging from $350 to over $1,000, depending on the travel distance, airline fees, and the specific services provided.
The cost also depends on whether the flight nanny is the breeder or an employee from an animal transportation company.
Is it Better to Pick Up Your Puppy in Person?
Either driving or flying to the breeder and picking up the puppy in person is always the best way to bring your puppy home.
Going in person allows you to meet the puppy’s parents, get updates from the breeder and handle the puppy’s flight in person. Remember: if the breeder does not want you to visit her home and pick up the puppy in person, this is a huge red flag and you could be dealing with a puppy broker or less than reputable breeder.
However, if it’s not possible for you to drive or fly to the breeder’s home, a puppy flight nanny is far more preferable to the other option: flying your puppy in cargo.
Why You Don’t Want to Fly Your Puppy in Cargo
Flying any dog–and especially a puppy–in cargo is extremely stressful for the dog as well as potentially dangerous.
The dangers begin with check-in when the puppy, in a hard-sided carrier, will be stored until it is time to load into the belly of the plane. The pet storage area may contain other traveling dogs in their kennels which means extra stress–and exposure diseases that your only partially vaccinated puppy should not be exposed to.
Before flight time, the crate is driven out to the airplane and loaded into the very noise cargo area. Temperatures can be hot (which is why airlines don’t fly brachycephalic dogs like pugs and bulldogs during summer months) or extremely cold.
If the breeder recommends transporting your puppy via cargo, this is a red flag that you may not be dealing with a reputable breeder. Puppy scams have cost many people both heartache and money when no puppy arrives on the planned flight.
If you can’t pick up a puppy directly from the breeder, use of a puppy flight nanny offers an optional way to bring your new Aussiedoodle puppy home. While it comes with its own set of regulations and costs, many find the service invaluable as a much safer option than flying a puppy in cargo.
More Questions You Might Have
Are Aussiedoodles Loyal to One Person?
What’s a Dog Broker? (and Why You Must Avoid Them!)
How to Spot a Responsible Aussiedoodle Breeder
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