Qantas says it will review policy after Saving Animals From Euthanasia warned rule would cause animal deaths

Qantas says it will review a policy that bans flying animals when temperatures are forecast to reach 35C after a prominent rescue service in WA’s north warned the rule would cause the unnecessary deaths of animals. Saving Animals From Euthanasia founder Sue Hedley wrote to Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson last month saying she was “deeply concerned” about the policy and called for it to be relaxed. Ms Hedley says the organisation flew more than 50 per cent of its 1826 rescued animals from its four regional branches — Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha and Newman — via air to Perth over the past year. But Ms Hedley said Qantas enforcing a new “no-fly” policy for animals when temperatures are due to reach 35C or higher on the day of travel may lead to animals dying unnecessarily. She said SAFE had never experienced a single incident of harm, let alone the death of animal during transit, in over 20 years of running the organisation. “The policy will inadvertently lead to the loss of animal lives who cannot reach their flight destination and will have nowhere to stay,” she said. “This heartbreaking situation would be repeated time and time again given the temperatures in northern Western Australia are expected to be 35°C or more for seven months of the year. “We understand the importance of absolutely prioritising animal welfare and safety during transport, but we believe that there are ways to mitigate risks effectively.” Ms Hedley said the new rule had already had an impact on dogs’ flights being cancelled when the temperature was expected to be more than 35 degrees but in reality it was much cooler. “We aren’t able to book flights because the Bureau of Meteorology site shows it will be 35 degrees or over everyday.” Last year, temperatures in Karratha exceeded 35C on 108 days, with a consecutive period of 42 days over 35C between February 12 and March 26. At Qantas’s annual general meeting on Friday, SAFE deputy chair Debbie Allcott urged Qantas to have more flexibility in its policy in transporting animals in northern WA, claiming animals were being left behind and owners were only being notified once they get to their destination. “Animal rescue services cannot cope any longer and I just implore Qantas to perhaps re-look at and take onboard even some of the RSPCA suggestions,” she said. Qantas chairman Richard Goyder said the airline would look into the issue of the heat threshold but said the current policy was in line with international animal welfare standards. “Our policies are worked with animal welfare groups but the issues you raise are something we’ll follow up with you again,” Mr Goyder said. “We will see what we can do to help.” The response comes after SAFE was told by a Qantas representative in October that the policy could not be changed as it was created with the “animal’s safety front of mind”. RSPCA backed SAFE calling for Qantas to modify its policy by allowing pets to fly if the temperature is not expected to exceed 35C in the three hour period immediately prior to, or following, the scheduled departure and arrival time. RSPCA and SAFE also requested temperature controlled holding areas, real-time temperature monitoring, and shorter waiting times. These changes would allow pets to travel early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures should not exceed 35C.