Thursday, July 15, 2010

Be the Change for Animals : Flying Ferrets

ac·tiv·ist –noun

1. an especially active, vigorous advocate of a cause, esp. a political cause.

–adjective

2. of or pertaining to activism or activists: an activist organization for environmental concern.

3. advocating or opposing a cause or issue vigorously, esp. a political cause: Activist opponents of the President picketed the White House.

     Until this last week I didn’t see myself as an activist but someone that helped further a cause that was already started.

     That changed when I tried to find an airline that would allow my two ferrets to travel with me. What a surprise I got. I was told that they could fly but in the cargo hold of the plane and each sent me to the section of their websites that stated what animals could fly in the cabin with their owners.

     Almost every one of the airlines I contacted policy pages stated “In cabin pets allowed” are dogs, cats, birds, and guinea pigs and in some cases rabbits. There are pet carrier requirements that needed to be met but each and every time I asked about ferrets I was told they weren’t allowed in the cabin and was not given any reason why.

      I find it offensive that my two sweet boys are suppose to be locked in a dark box and tossed into the roaring abyss called the cargo hold because someone decided that these are evil little creatures. I might as well tossed James and Manny into the trunk of the car the way most airlines are thinking it would be the same result.

     Do the powers that be at these airlines think they are going to get loose and become terrifying creatures? Anyone that has read my blog knows that yes they have their quirks but ferrets can travel well if their owners set things up right.

     I am sure many would say that us ferret owners probably complained about the pet fee for the right to fly with our pets. I will say that some pet fees seem a bit excessive but pet owners are willing to pay for their pets in most cases.

     So my mission is now is to get at least two other airlines to change their policies either back to what it was or to allow ferrets in the cabin. I hope that you will help by writing letters to your choice of airlines from the short list below.

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 20706
Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001

Southwest Airlines
P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR
Dallas, Texas 75235-1647

Continental Airlines
P.O. Box 4607
Houston, Texas 77210-4607
United States

US Airways

Corporate headquarters:
111 W. Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, AZ 85281

     After all the disappointments I had received I was happily surprised when I contacted Frontier Air and found out that they allow ferrets in the cabin and their pet fee was reasonable.

     The best part was they fly out of my closest airport and to the places I want to go in the coming months.

     I hope that these other airlines follow suit and begin allowing us misunderstood ferret owners to fly with our critters in the cabin.

     Opinions, comments, and statements are welcomed

Jo

Blog the Change

3 comments:

The Daily Pip said...

I absolutely agree! It is not fair and I will join you in writing letters. Have you heard of Pet Airways? You should check them out!

Your pal, Pip

Jo said...

Mr. Pip I already checked them out. I wanted to be able to be with my boys and they don't fly out of my airports yet.

Jo

Anonymous said...

Jo,

This is awesome goal. Your blog post has inspired me to get started on letters to convince all these airlines to change their policies. It's getting ridiculous looking for airlines that'll allow my non-threatening ferret on board (WITH ME). They're misunderstood creatures, and I'm glad you're taking a stand. :)

CJ