‘Huge step forward’: Veterinarians, animal trainers back Virgin’s plan to fly pets in the cabin

Veterinarians and animal trainers have weighed in on Virgin Australia’s plan to fly dogs and cats in cabins between Sydney and Melbourne. POLL: HAVE YOUR SAY

Film and television dog trainer Heidi Mackay welcomed Virgin Australia’s move but cautioned owners of highly anxious and “reactive” dogs against rushing to book tickets.

Virgin Australia’s plan to fly pets in the cabin will be doomed to fail if furry passengers aren’t trained to be confined before boarding, an expert dog behaviourist has warned.

Film and television dog trainer Heidi Mackay welcomed the airline’s move but cautioned owners of highly anxious and “reactive” dogs against rushing to book tickets.

“For trained dogs, it’s an awesome idea,” Ms Mackay said.

“But I can see it being problematic for people that have dogs that aren’t crate-trained.

“I would hate to think that people are just going to straight away put a dog in a care and then expect it to be quiet on a plane … it’s like sitting next to a child screaming.”

Film and television dog trainer Heidi Mackay said dogs that travel on planes dogs need to be crate-trained. Picture: Suppliedd

Ms Mackay also said the airline “needs to set themselves up right” by employing a specialist to assess dogs before they board.

It comes as a trial of pet travel on the nation’s busiest flight route, Sydney to Melbourne, is reportedly on the cards for Virgin, after the airline announced plans to allow pets in-flight in March.

Bellevue Hill dog owner Emily Tapper walking 14-year-old labradoodle Waffles and groodle puppy Billie at Rushcutters Bay. Emily loves the idea of allowing dogs on flights, but admits it could be disruptive for other passengers if owners aren’t “mindful”. Picture: Thomas Lisson

The airline has yet to confirm when pawed passengers will take flight, and from which destinations, but the proposal has been slammed by The Daily Telegraph’s readers, with 72 per cent voting against the move in an online poll.

But veterinarians say allowing animals in the cabin could save lives.

Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) emergency vet Dr Tim Hopkins said travelling in the cabin was the only way to mitigate the risks of heatstroke and cardiovascular-related deaths, especially for “brachycephalic” breeds like bulldogs and pugs.

“It’s a huge step forward for Australia to have this option, in terms of not just the safety of these animals, but also the welfare and wellbeing of these animals,” he said.

SASH emergency vet Dr Tim Hopkins. Picture: Supplied

“In the US, 20 animals pass away every year from travelling in the hold, and generally speaking it’s because they’re been waiting on the tarmac in environmental conditions that they just can’t stand.”

NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said Virgin’s proposal “makes perfect sense”.

“Australia has one of the highest number of companion animals in the world, yet our transport system is the least animal friendly,” she said.

“I congratulate any travel company who are taking positive steps for animal welfare.”

Southern Cross Vet Dr Sam Kovac said while stowing crate-trained animals in the cargo hold is “perfectly fine”, travelling in the cabin can reduce anxiety for both the human and pet passengers alike.

Southern Cross vet Dr Sam Kovac with a bulldog called Shiitake. ‘Brachycephalic’ breeds fare worst when travelling by air. Picture: John Appleyard

“To avoid messes, there should be a restriction on the feeding of the pet for some hours before the flight,” Dr Kovac advised.

“An assessment from a professional to certify that the animal is fit to fly behaviourally and medically wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.”

24-year-old Bellevue Hill dog owner Emily Tapper “loves the idea” of being able to bring her beloved ‘Oodles Waffles and Billie on flights with her, especially after a stressful experience transporting 14-year-old labradoodle Waffles to America in the hold.

“It can be traumatising for them. Having your pet with you would be much more reassuring,” she said.