Flying With Fido? Get Travel Tips

(CBS)  An estimated two million animals will travel by air this year. But is it safe to take your pet on an airplane? And what should you know before you and your pet take off? Saturday Early Show resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner answers these questions and more.

When booking a flight with your pet, Turner says it is best to book a nonstop, midweek flight, and avoid plane changes, if possible. During warm weather periods, choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights.

Here are her traveling tips:

Travel arrangements - Keep in mind that there is usually a limit for the number of carry-on kennels allowed on flights, so if you want to bring a pet in cabin, let the airline know as soon as possible.

Checking in - Pets traveling with passengers must check in at the ticket counter. No curbside or self-service check-in is allowed. So please allow extra time beyond normal check-in guidelines, but not more than four hours prior to your flight time.

Fees - There is a service fee required to transport a pet. It varies depending on the airline, but it ranges from $50 to $100 one-way. Animals traveling in service to passengers with disabilities (with trainers, for law enforcement, or search and rescue) usually are allowed to travel on the plane free of charge. But it is still necessary to inform the airline that you will have a service animal. And the animal is allowed to travel in the cabin without a kennel, but properly harnessed.

Policies - All airlines have different pet travel policy and requirements. So be sure to check your airline's requirements by going to its Web site or calling in advance. And remember that you need to follow state entry requirements that apply toward animals entering the state.

If you are flying abroad to a foreign country or Hawaii, find out whether there are quarantine or other health requirements at the destination. A full-service travel agency or pet travel service should be able to assist you with this information. You should contact the appropriate embassy or consulate well in advance of your travel date.

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