Traveling with pets can be a challenge over long distances, and sometimes it’s necessary that they travel in the belly of the plane. We know we’d rather have our pets snuggled up with us, and for some service animals, that’s possible, but sometimes that’s just not an option.

For those whose fur-babies need to fly and are too large to fit in an under-the-seat carrier, United Airlines is offering Kriser’s pet parents a discount for its PetSafe travel program. With this program, pets travel in United’s specially designed plane compartments that are pressurized and temperature-controlled like passenger cabins.

Here are some of United’s guidelines for traveling pets and some tips for making your pet’s trip as seamless as possible. You can find a complete version of this list – useful when preparing for travel – at united.com.

• United agents will use the specific checklist at the time when you transfer your pet to their care. You can find that checklist here to use as you prepare your pet for travel.
• Make sure your dog is immunized against rabies and bring along proof of vaccination. The CDC requires it!
• Animals must arrive at the designated airport drop-off at least 2 hours before scheduled flight departure for U.S. domestic flights (3 hours if it’s an international flight).
• United requires a minimum one-hour connection time on trips with more than one flight. Make sure you take that into consideration when booking. You may want to run through O’Hare, but chances are your puppy may not!
• You will need your pet’s health certificate issued by a vet, dated within 10 days of travel for both the outbound and return lights. If the return flight occurs more than 10 days after the date when your pet’s health certificate was issued, you will need to obtain a new health certificate for the return flight.
• You will get directions for how to track your pet’s trip online from origin to destination when you drop them off!
• Kennels and crates must conform to IATA and USDA regulations. Check out the PetMate Carriers offered at Kriser’s as one option!
• United supports the American Veterinarian Medical Association’s recommendation to not accept animals that have been sedated. United will not knowingly accept a dog or cat that has been sedated and accepts no liability for the death or sickness of an animal caused by any drug. So please be cautious in your preparations!
• There are some careful precautions for puppies or toy breeds, so check that out on United’s website as well.
• Additional pet travel information is available at united.com/PetSafe website as well.