kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and KilleenOverseas Military Families To Face Pet Airline Increase

Our pets tend to become another member of our family.  But some military families stationed overseas will soon have to decide wether to leave their pets, or pay thousands to take them along.

This all comes as one airline in particular, is changing their pet policy. United Airlines has decided to label pets as "cargo" instead of "excess baggage", and with that comes a hefty price tag.

Starting March 3rd it will cost nearly $2,000 a pet. An expense one Lampasas military family stationed in Japan says they're not able to spend.

The Wood family adopted Max from another military family who couldn't afford to keep him. 

Stationed in Okinawa, Japan for 2 years, they have one left to go. The looming change in United's fees has the family worried about bringing back their pet. "Max alone, we were quoted $1,300 to fly him cargo, " says Nikki Wood, spouse of a Marine.

And they're not the only ones worried. "A lot of people were booked on United planes after March 3, and were not told that the policy would affect them at all and now they're trying to scrounge $1,000 to $2,000 dollars," says Wood.

George Grammas with the Second Chance No-Kill Animal Shelter says they already have more than they can handle. And fears the extra fee could cause many to leave pets behind. Affecting everyone in the family. "That's gonna have a very traumatic effect on the entire family, specially the children that have grown up with these animals because these animals have become part of their family," says Grammas.

Sarah Witte adopted her own dog from Craigslist. And says with this increase, she wouldn't be surprised to see pets roaming the streets. "It absolutely kills me to see animals just running around. Some of them with collars some of them not, skinny, starved, and it breaks my heart," says Witte, a Fort Hood spouse.

The Woods say they're going to send Max on a different airline. An essential part of their family they wouldn't dream to leave behind. "We do not have kids yet, were trying , but we don't have kids yet so to leave Max behind would be devastating," says Wood.

United Airlines is adopting the "Pet-Safe" Program, which means they can no longer be checked in as luggage. But in places like Japan, that "cargo" label racks up the fees.

Reporter: Tania Ortega Email: tortega@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford