Every dog has its day at IAG Cargo’s Madrid facility

Pets travelling through the Madrid-Barajas Airport will benefit from a full veterinary check-up and a new 25-strong team of caretakers, with the launch of IAG Cargo’s enhanced animal handling facility late last week. Airborne animals in transit at the center will receive a veterinary check-up every two hours with staff continuously monitoring food and water intake.

Checks will be done by qualified staff from the Hospital Veterinario Alberto Alcoce. According to the U.K.-based air cargo carrier, the enhanced conditions are part of its investment in “bespoke in-house staff training” for animal handling, welfare regulations and container requirements at its Madrid hub.

“Animal welfare is a priority for us at IAG Cargo, and we pride ourselves in going above and beyond the requirements set out by IATA Live Animal Regulations,” said Daniel Johnson, IAG’s manager for global products. “Having worked closely with the City of London Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow, we have an unrivalled understanding of the needs of a huge variety of species, including endangered animals.”

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