The NWT’s largest animal shelter says WestJet is no longer waiving fees for rescue animals to be sent south in search of new homes.
On Tuesday, the Yellowknife-based NWT SPCA said on Facebook staff understood the decision had come from WestJet’s head office.
“We are working on another program through Westjet Cargo but that will not take effect for several weeks and it will likely be different than what we currently know,” shelter staff wrote, adding the SPCA remained grateful for the airline’s support.
WestJet Cargo organizes the safe transportation for your domestic pets and can help you ship a wide variety of products from business supplies to gifts and household goods, to live animals and perishable products like fresh vegetables and frozen food. All live animals shipped as cargo must be booked and approved in advance by WestJet Cargo. For information on snakes flying in cargo, check West Jet’s Cargo website here. How to keep a snake calm for travel. Keeping snakes calm whilst travelling may seem like a daunting task as they are elusive creatures who enjoy the comfort of their own homes. WestJet doesn't allow big dogs in-cabin — unless their service or emotional support animals — but it is very cheap to check them in a kennel. Ranging from $75 to $89 per pet, that's probably the best deal you'll find.
Volunteers are being asked to help in the interim by sponsoring the cost of animals’ flights – $50 for carry-on or $100 if sent in the hold – whether or not they are accompanying a pet on a flight.
Have labels with the words 'Live Animal' in letters at least 1-inch tall on the crate's top and on at least one side; Have upright arrow labels indicating kennel's correct position. What health documentation is required? While WestJet does not require a health certificate for an animal some States and Countries do require health documents. A 'Live Animals Handling Declaration' must be completed for a pet travelling in checked baggage. We will provide the live animal declaration form and sticker at the check-in counter upon request. Please be prepared with a contact number, destination address and destination contact number.
The SPCA said it would, if necessary, reimburse the fee volunteers must now pay when they accompany a dog.
“If we cannot get dogs out of our shelter then we have to say noto the many dogs waiting to come in. And that is not a good option for thosedogs,” the shelter wrote.
Nicole Spencer, the NWT SPCA’s president and logistics director, said the previous arrangement with WestJet was informal.
“It was a local agreement with the past manager that carried on over the years with every new manager that took the position. We were fortunate to have that relationship for so long,” Spencer wrote to Cabin Radio.
“It is definitely not about the money on their end. It is about having a formalized program that works safely and responsibly for all involved including the company, the NWT SPCA, and the animal.
![Animal Animal](/uploads/1/2/6/5/126578820/725513368.jpg)
“The airline has, over the years, waived the fees for hundreds of dogs and we are very grateful for that. They were definitely a significant part of our success.”
Dana Martin, the SPCA’s vice-president, called the change “just a little hiccup.”
“I do have to say thatwe handle hurdles and challenges like this all the time,” she wrote.
“My hope is that there will be a comprehensive and more stable way to fly our dogs out to their new homes in the future that will be a good foundation to build and grow a great relationship with WestJet. Maybe it will start a trend with other companies or even – big hope here – reach beyond Yellowknife.”
![Pet Pet](https://postmediacalgaryherald2.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/edm-millcreek-coldmorning.jpg)
WestJet said by email it remained committed to supporting the NWT SCPA’s work.
“We are animal lovers here at WestJet,” said spokesperson Lauren Stewart by email.
“We will continue to work with them towards supporting their cause in helping animals while also ensuring the safety and highest quality of service possible for this important cargo.”
Related
Rescue organizations based in Calgary are 'heartbroken' after reading of apparent changes to WestJet's policies regarding the import of dogs posted Thursday evening.
In a blog post published on WestJet's website, the Calgary-based airline said it was changing its regulations in response to how the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) handles dogs coming into the country.
'This is not a WestJet initiative but one that we are subject to regulation on,' read the post, which has since been deleted.
In a statement provided to CBC News on Friday, WestJet said it was committed to work with rescue organizations to help alleviate barriers they may face.
'We recently released communications to ensure guests are aware of existing Canada Border Services Agency requirements that animals travelling into Canada as commercial imports are required to travel through cargo,' the statement reads. 'We have reinforced our procedures to ensure upon booking that we ask guests, who are importing an animal, if it's a commercial or personal import, and proceed accordingly.
'It is the guest's responsibility to meet the import requirements, for both personal and commercial animals.'
In response to a request for an interview, the CBSA deferred comment to WestJet, and said 'nothing had changed' in regards to government policy.
According to a CBSA document, dogs brought into Canada as rescues destined for adoption are 'considered commercial for import purposes.'
'[We're hoping WestJet will] rescind this policy and they'll see the bigger picture when it comes to dogs' lives,' said Belinda Morrison, founder of the CB Rescue Foundation in Calgary. 'We love [WestJet], they've helped us lots, and we hope it was just an oversight.'
Air Canada and Air Transat did not respond to requests for comment in regards to whether or not their pet import policies had changed.
Flight angels
Morrison said her organization previously was allowed to designate travellers as 'flight angels' — volunteers who escorted rescue dogs from overcrowded shelters in other countries back to Canada, where they would be paired with new families.
Under the new restrictions outlined, all dogs classified as commercial — those dogs that are for sale, those available for rescue and adoption and others — must be shipped as cargo, and must be inspected upon arrival.
Morrison said those changes would be a big financial hit on rescues across the country.
'It's going to be near impossible.… When I can do a flight angel, I can do 50 to 100 dogs in the cabin. Depending on where we're going, it can range from $150 to $220 a dog, depending on the length of the flight,' she said. 'But when you fly cargo, it'll be three to four times the money.'
Merrilee Davies, a volunteer with the Calgary-based Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, said the restrictions would likely put an end to the organization's dog import program.
'Well, it's going to have a huge impact. It's unlikely we'd be able to afford the fees that are charged for flying dogs in cargo,' she said. 'We're a volunteer and donation-based rescue, as many are. It would be cost-prohibitive for us.'
Dogs imported from other countries often have a history of being abused and neglected, Morrison said.
She said if shelters are unable to export dogs to Canada, it's likely those animals would be negatively impacted.
Westjet Cargo Booking
'Thousands of dogs will die because of this. The reason is [these rescues] phone me and say, 'Hey, Belinda, we have a dog that we can fly with a flight angel,' and then they can bring another dog into their rescue,' she said. 'But now they're full.
Westjet Live Animal Cargo Rates
'They rely on Canadian great hearts to adopt these dogs. That's what's going on, and that's why I'm not mad, I'm heartbroken.'