April 2015 Airline Pet Travel Report

American Airlines reports the loss of a Tabby cat named Blonde. The cat escaped from its kennel during the flight and was able to escape the aircraft when it was being unloaded. American stated that the kennel did not have the required zip ties in place to hold the kennel door closed.

Delta reports the injury of a 12 year-old Weimaraner named Samantha. The injury occurred overnight while the pet was at the airport kennel service at JFK.

Delta also reports the death of a 9 year-old Domestic Short Hair Cat, named Toby who was being held in a kennel at the airport overnight due to missing his flight. We agents came to retrieve him for the next flight he was found to be unresponsive. According to the necropsy report received from the University of Minnesota, Toby's "sudden, unexpected death was likely due to congestive cardiac failure". It further notes the "weight of the heart far exceeds normal limits for domestic cats".

SkyWest reports the death of a 11 week-old Shar Pei puppy. Based on the necropsy report there was reason to believe this lib. 4 oz. puppy was actually under age. United, who was handling the transport stated that they are following up internally.

United reports the injury of a four year-old dog named Balloo. Balloo injured his mouth chewing on the kennel during a flight from Boston, MA to Honolulu, HI.