Policy for Carriage of Live Animals in SpiceJet

SpiceJet carries live animals on the Boeing B737-800 and 900 series aircraft, only in the hold. We do not carry live animals on the passenger cabin

Animals such as dogs, cats and other pets when properly crated and accompanied by valid health and vaccination certificates and other documents required for carriage by air will, with the advance agreement of carrier, be accepted for carriage, subject to Carrier’s regulations.

Domestic pets such as dogs and cats are permitted on SpiceJet flights as freight, in the pressurized and temperature controlled area of the aircraft hold, subject to the following conditions:

• Properly carried in a container/kennel which should be made of non-chewable material with smooth edges and properly ventilated in the prescribed size.
• Pet accepted at owner's risk and SpiceJet will not be responsible in the event of such pets being refused entry into or passage through any territory.
• The owner will be responsible for compliance with all governmental customs and health requirements, including quarantine arrangements.
• The owner will assume all the risks of injury, sickness or death of the pet accepted for carriage.
• A declaration indemnifying SpiceJet will be obtained from the passenger
• The owner must ensure their pets meet the quarantine requirements. Pets may be subjected to quarantine at destination at the owner’s expense. The quarantine period may vary and would be at the discretion of the vet authorities at destination.

Below are few points to be followed with respect to Carriage of animals:

• Only on domestic flights: Domesticated dogs, cats and rabbits
• Note: SpiceJet policy prohibits certain aggressive breeds of dogs, hybrid dogs / cats, short-muzzled dogs, for transport by air.
• Females with suckling young and un-weaned animals are not accepted.
• Weaned puppies / kittens under 12 weeks not accepted
• Accepted on flights operated by Boeing aircraft only.
• Must be carried in the cargo hold, cannot be carried in the cabin. (Note: Service animals accompanying a disabled passenger in the passenger cabin do not fall under this category)
• One passenger can carry a maximum of 3 containers / Kennels
• No Airline / SpiceJet liability in case of injury / death

Breeds of dogs and cats forbidden for carriage:
I. SpiceJet will not accept the following breeds of dogs and cats, including short-muzzled dog breeds, as these animals are known to be susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke (when exposed to stress or changes in temperature), breathing difficulties or increased travel stress:*
All short-muzzled dog breeds and their cross-breeds, including:

• All Boxers, Bulldogs, Mastiffs & Spaniels
• Akita
• Brussels Griffin (Petite Brabancon)
• Chow Chow
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brazillero & their crosses
• Japanese Chin (Chin, Japanese Spaniel, Japanese Pug) and all other breeds of Pug

• Lhasa Apso
• Pekinese
• Pit Bull
• Rottweiler
• Shar Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Tosa

The following cat breeds and their cross-breeds:

• Burmese
• Exotic

• Himalayan
• Persian

II. Dogs / Cats must be a minimum of 12 weeks old for carriage on all domestic flights.

III. Animal/s should not be pregnant.

IV. Animals may only travel if accompanied by a passenger /owner.

Security Requirements:

All animals must be scanned /screened with a Hand Held Metal Detector (HHMD) prior to acceptance for carriage by air as baggage / freight.

Container requirements:

• The minimum container, packaging and handling requirements as published in the IATA Live Animals Regulations must be met. These regulations prescribe the materials to be used, size, frame, etc.
• The container should be escape proof, leak proof and of the proper size
• It should have ample ventilation
• The container must be strong i.e. not of chewable material.
• Each animal in the container must have enough space to turn about easily while standing and high enough to allow it to stand and sit erect and to lie down in a natural position.
• The cage must be properly secured.
• Properly carried in a container/kennel which should be made of non-chewable material with smooth edges and properly ventilated in the prescribed size. (Kennel size not to exceed 18" x 18" x 12").
• Pets are usually accepted on a one to one basis per container. However two small pets of the same species and same owner can share a container if they are between 8 weeks and not weighing over 10 Kgs each, or, a mother with offspring of less than 4 months.

Documents required:

• Health certificate from a qualified veterinary doctor.
• Letter / certificate from the veterinary doctor stating the animal’s fitness for carriage by air.
• Vaccination / Immunization record with Rabies vaccination date.
• A declaration indemnifying the SpiceJet with the owner / passenger assuming all the risks of injury, sickness or death of the pet accepted for carriage, will be obtained from the passenger.
• Other documents may be required, depending on local regulations.
• All documents must be in English, unless otherwise specified.

*Health problems

Pugs lack longer snouts and prominent skeletal brow ridges and hence are susceptible to eye injuries such as proptosis and scratched corneas and painful entropion. They also have compact breathing passageways, leaving many unable to breathe properly or efficiently regulate their temperature through evaporation from the tongue. A pug's normal body temperature is between 101 °F (38 °C) and 102 °F (39 °C). If the temperature rises to 105 °F (41 °C) they are no longer able to cope with cooling themselves and their oxygen demand is greatly increased, and requires cooling down immediately. Should the temperature reach 108 °F (42 °C), the internal organs begin to break down at a cellular level which can lead to severe long term health issues or even death.

Pugs living a mostly sedentary life can be prone to obesity, though this is avoidable with regular exercise and a healthy diet. A UK Kennel Club survey puts the average life span of Pugs at 10 years.

An investigative documentary carried out by the BBC found significant inbreeding between pedigree dogs, with a study by Imperial College, London, showing that the 10,000 pugs in the UK are so inbred that their gene pool is the equivalent of only 50 individuals.