Have you ever had to travel with your dog?

Many times, passengers and their luggage, including dogs in transport dog crates in the luggage section of the airplane, may have to transfer to two or more different airplanes before reaching their final destination. It is during these times when some dogs become lost, never to be found again. They accidentally get transferred to the wrong airplane and never make it back to the owner.

To minimize the chances of your dog not making its way back to you, here are some precautions you can take:

1. Don't travel by airplane with your dog unless it is your only option!

2. If air travel is your only option, find out whether there is a direct flight - if there is, take it! The more connections you have, the greater the chance of the transport dog crates going missing.

3. If you have a small dog, or your dog is a puppy, find out whether he can travel with you in the passenger section of the airplane. Often it is quite permissible for dogs or puppies to travel underneath seats in small transport dog crates or stylish pet carriers.

4. Ensure proper identification. Have a permanent ID securely attached to your pet that has your phone number, home address, and any contact information about the place you are traveling to. Microchips and even tattoos are also a great idea as identification.

5. If your dog does have to travel in the cargo section of the airplane, find out whether passengers are allowed to take the transport dog crates directly to the cargo gate themselves. If so, do that!

6. When you reach your destination, try to get off the airplane as fast as you can and make your way to the luggage claim area. As soon as the transport dog crates appear, collect your dog. If no transport dog crates appear, or if your dog doesn't appear promptly, go directly to the Customer Service counter for the airline you've been traveling on, and ask where your dog is, before sufficient time goes by for the airplane to take off with your dog, or for your dog to be wrongly transferred to another airplane.