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result in pet owners fraudulently claiming that their pets Transportation Association (IPATA) as well as the major
are service or emotional support animals. This is also airlines to find reasonable restrictions that would ensure
problematic because “fraudulent misrepresentation of the safety of traveling dogs and open up airline travel to
pets as service animals harms the disabled, undermines well-behaved pets, regardless of breed.
the credibility of true working dogs, and can create an I have included the most recent email from Emily
unsafe and unhealthy environment for the traveling Holmes in the Government Relations Department. I hope
public.” everyone will understand and appreciate the work that
AKC has reached out to the International Pet Air this Department does.

Good morning, Margaret.

Apologies for the delay in our response, Sheila asked that I reach out to you to provide an update on
our work with flying dogs in cargo. Please let your Board know AKC is indeed very concerned about
issues related to travelling with dogs, and above all, the health and safety of dogs when traveling.
Although this isn't technically a legislative/public policy issue, the Government Relations team is
working to keep tabs on changes impacting travel with dogs, and to provide updates to dog owners as
well as comments and concerns directly to airlines as appropriate.

Above all, we want to be sure that when dogs travel by air, their safety and well-being are considered
paramount. We recognize that airlines are businesses -- not government entities-- so there is no
requirement that they must accept pets as cargo. Likewise, we understand there are times when airlines
may not be able to guarantee the safety of pets travelling in cargo: We appreciate airlines' transparency
about this. This ultimately saves pets' lives.

However, we are also concerned that we are seeing increased restrictions on certain types of dogs and
breed-specific restrictions that appear to be based on generalizations. We have reached out to major
airlines, as well as to airline organizations including Airlines for America and the International Pet
Air Transport Association to express our concerns and to offer to work with them to address concerns
they may have about flying pets so that they can better assess which dogs they can safely transport. This
work also includes developing testing by a veterinarian on specific dogs to deem whether they are fit
to fly instead of banning an entire breed. We hope this work will have airlines reconsider their breed
policies.

We are additionally concerned that severe restrictions on the ability to fly dogs as cargo may lead to an
increase in fraudulent misrepresentation as service dogs.

We have recently participated in discussions with airlines and air transport associations about possible
alternative ways that airlines can ensure that they can transport pets safely, including requiring more
extensive health information on individual pets, irrespective of breed.

Recent announcements by United and Delta Airlines that they will not accept "Emotional Support
Animals" (ESAs) under the age of 4 months; or ESAs or Service Dogs on flights longer than 8 hours do
not appear to be unreasonable. Puppies cannot be fully immunized for rabies until the age of 4 months
(16 weeks of age), and very few puppies are sufficiently and specifically trained at that age to provide
specific tasks or support. Likewise, 8 hours is a long time for a dog -- even a well-trained service dog--
to be cramped in an airline cabin without the opportunity for exercise.

We will continue to work with airlines and air transport associations to advocate on behalf of
responsible of owners and safe and transparent animal air transport practices.

We will continue to let you if there are advances we can make on this issue. Please do not hesitate to
contact me with any additional questions. Have a nice day.
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