Tighter leash for flying animals
Several airlines issued new guidelines for travelers hoping to ship animals as cargo or take them onboard with them (for free) as emotional support animals.

Following several blunders that caused United Airlines to temporarily suspend and reevaluate its PetSafe program for animals traveling as cargo, the airline issued new policies and customer requirements that go into effect June 18. In addition to limiting the program to cats and dogs only, the PetSafe transport program prohibits the transport of certain breeds of cats and dogs. Details here.

Alaska Airlines and American Airlines issued revised rules for passengers traveling with emotional support animals in airplane cabins.

Alaska Airlines’ new policy for emotional support or psychiatric service animals covers bookings made on or after May 1. In addition to some breed and holiday travel restrictions, the policy requires passengers to provide animal health and behavioral documents, as well as a signed document from a medical doctor or mental health professional, at least 48 hours in advance of departure. More details here.

American Airlines also announced changes to its emotional support animal policy. The enhanced requirements cover tickets issued on or after July 1, and address unacceptable emotional support animal behavior (animals that growl, bite, jump or lunge will be considered pets and charged for accordingly), and outline the documentation that must be filed with the airline at least 48 hours before a flight. American Airlines’ new emotional support animal policy also forbids a wide range of animals, including ferrets, goats, snakes, spiders and rodents, from flying as emotional support animals anytime.