Listen up, my globetrotter pals. Big changes are coming for pets traveling by air, and it’s not lookin’ good for all of us ESA’s! The US Department of Transportation issued new guidelines that say Emotional Support Animals are no longer considered service animals. Unfortunately, too many irresponsible travelers were taking advantage of the system, bringing all sorts of untrained animals on board. There has been an uptick in animal misbehavior, complaints of injuries, and damage to the planes.

If you’d like to read the DOT’s final ruling on your own, here’s the announcement: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-announces-final-rule-traveling-air-service-animals

For everyone else, here’s the cliffs notes version!

• Emotional Support Animals will no longer be considered service animals
• Depending on the airline, travelers may be charged a fee to bring their pet on board and the pet may be subjected to flying in cargo
• Psychiatric service animals will still be treated the same as other service animals because they’re trained to perform tasks for the benefit of the person with a disability
• Airlines are allowed to limit the number of service animals traveling with a single passenger with a disability to 2 animals

As the major U.S. airlines start to release their new guidelines, I will update this post with their rules and regulations below! If you already have travel booked, please check with the airline directly to see if your ESA will be honored for your trip.

– Butters The Pup 🐾