Traveling with your beloved pet can be an exciting adventure, but ensuring their health and safety during the journey is paramount. Recognizing this, Alaska Airlines has partnered with Banfield® Pet Hospital, the largest veterinary practice in the United States, to offer pet owners valuable resources and discounts to prepare their furry companions for air travel. This collaboration aims to make flying a more comfortable and secure experience for pets, while also providing cost-saving opportunities for pet parents through initiatives like a Banfield Pet Hospital Coupon.
This exclusive partnership, announced in 2012, provides Alaska Airlines customers with access to Banfield’s expert veterinary services, specifically designed to ready pets for the skies. Dr. Karen Johnson, former Vice President and Client Advocate for Banfield Pet Hospital, emphasized the shared commitment to pet well-being, stating, “When it comes to pets, there is nothing more important than ensuring their health and safety whether at home or on a trip.” This partnership underscores both Alaska Airlines’ and Banfield’s dedication to strengthening the human-pet bond by prioritizing pet safety and comfort during travel.
One of the key benefits of this collaboration is the financial relief offered to pet owners. Alaska Airlines customers traveling with or shipping their pets were entitled to a valuable offer from Banfield: a free office visit, a travel consultation, and a $10 discount on a health certificate. This health certificate is a crucial requirement for all pets traveling by air, whether they are in the cabin with you, traveling as checked baggage, or being shipped as air cargo. This offer effectively acts as a Banfield pet hospital coupon, directly reducing the costs associated with preparing your pet for travel.
Alaska Airlines has long been recognized for its commitment to pet-friendly travel. Their employees undergo specialized training in pet transportation, adhering to strict guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation. This dedication earned Alaska Airlines the title of “Most Pet-Friendly Airline” by SmarterTraveler.com in 2009, highlighting their proactive approach to animal care.
Beyond allowing pets in the cabin through their Fur-st Class® Care service, Alaska Airlines also provides PetStreak® Animal Express, a specialized service for shipping animals as air freight. This ensures pets can travel safely and comfortably even when their owners are not on the same flight. To further celebrate the partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital at its launch, Alaska Air Cargo offered a 10 percent discount on PetStreak Animal Express shipments for a limited time, presenting another form of Banfield pet hospital coupon benefit for customers utilizing cargo services.
Torque Zubeck, former Managing Director of Alaska Air Cargo, highlighted Alaska Airlines’ welcoming policy towards pets and their dedication to pet care and safety. He noted the pride in partnering with Banfield Pet Hospital to offer customers “a professional resource for ensuring their pet is prepared, safe and comfortable during air travel.”
To further enhance pet safety, Alaska Airlines implemented upgraded kennel standards for pets traveling in the cargo hold, effective May 1, 2012. These new standards mandated the use of nut-and-bolt locks on kennels, ensuring pets remain securely enclosed throughout their journey, adding an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for pet owners.
Dr. Johnson from Banfield Pet Hospital also emphasized the importance of pre-travel preparation, particularly kennel acclimation. “We also believe it is very important to acclimate pets to their kennel well in advance of the travel day to help reduce stress,” she advised. Banfield recommends introducing the carrier to pets in a familiar home environment, gradually associating it with positive experiences like treats and feeding to create a safe and comfortable space for travel.
For Alaska Airlines travelers with pet reservations, more details about the partnership offer, including how to access the Banfield pet hospital coupon benefits, could be found at www.banfield.com/alaskaairlines (link may be outdated as the original promotion was time-limited). Additionally, valuable pet travel tips from Banfield veterinarians and Alaska Airlines’ pet travel policies, including the updated kennel requirements, were available at www.alaskaair.com.
In the year prior to this announcement, Alaska Airlines transported nearly 83,000 pets, demonstrating their significant role in pet travel. This partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital further solidified their commitment to providing a safe, comfortable, and even more affordable travel experience for pets and their owners. While the specific Banfield pet hospital coupon offer mentioned in the original announcement may have expired, it’s always wise to check both the Alaska Airlines and Banfield Pet Hospital websites for current promotions or partnerships that could help make pet travel more budget-friendly.
