Santa Fe Bengal Cattery uses Continental Airlines' Pet Safe Program to transfer a Kitten out of state. We have found that this is the safest and most comfortable way to fly a Kitten to another destination. The benefits are that your Kitten is kept in a temperature controlled area at all times and hand carried by the Pet Safe Program personnel to and from the Aircraft. The area for Pets is underneath the Passenger cabin, but is a separate compartment and is pressurized and temperature controlled the same as the Passenger compartment. The Kitten is also monitored and given water during the usual short layover in Houston Airport, if heading to a further destination. We have been very happy with this service and feel that it is the best way to fly your Pet, if you are not taking your Pet with you as a "carry-on" in the Passenger Cabin.
We make all of the arrangements for you and email the reservation number and flight information to you, along with our guidelines and helpful information. Thus is what is included in the shipping fee:
° A complete Health Check by our Feline Specialist Veterinarian ° State of New Mexico Official Health Certificate for Inter-State transfer ° Acclimation specification with approval to fly ° New Airline-approved Hard (non-collapsible) Carrier ° New comfy cream fleece donut bed (washable for future use!) ° The Airline flight and applicable Airline current fuel surcharges ° Transportation directly to the Pet Safe Program reservation and holding area (From our Cattery this is a 150 mile round trip drive, which takes 2 1/2 hours)
The actual costs for all of the above is $350. for a Kitten not more than 5 lbs. The flight costs for a heavier older Kitten or Adult Cat are more, as the Airline charges by weight, and the carrier and bed that we purchase must be larger. We charge for the costs only and give you the four or so hours it takes to safely be able to fly your new Kitten to you. Our main concern, as always, is for the health, safety, and happiness of our Kitten... oh, and yours too!
One week Prior to the planned flight, your check for the shipping costs and the balance due on the purchase price of your Kitten, must be received at the Cattery to allow us time to purchase the products needed and to take your Kitten to our Feline Specialist Veterinarian. We will also mail our contract for you to sign and return approximately two weeks prior to the planned flight and the signed contract must be received at our Cattery prior to the Kitten's flight. You are welcome to drive to our Cattery to pick up your Kitten, in person, or to fly to Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (there are also some flights to Santa Fe Airport) to hand carrier you new Kitten. Please make the appropriate flight arrangements for you and your Kitten. When picking up a Kitten, in person, you must provide an appropriate carrier and bedding for the transfer by auto for your Kitten's safety.