No food or water before a flight

When dogs fly to their new homes in Holland or Germany, the foster families are asked not to feed the dogs 24 hours in advance, and no water in the last 12 hours.

Isn't that cruel?

No, it isn't.
Actually, it is cruel if you do feed them, or give them water shortly before the flight !

First, there is a car ride of 45 minutes to an hour. In many cases that means a ride along a windy mountain road. You don't want the dog do that on a full stomach. Then they arrive at the airport. There is not a play field for them to do what they want. The dogs are put into their cages at the Malaga airport, and they won't be released until they arrive in Holland or Germany, hours later.

So if you have fed them or gave them water, this means that they probably have to lie in their own dirt. That is no fun for the dog, but also doesn't make a good first impression on their new family :-)

And at the airport, the new families have water and biscuits ready. So all stress of the flight and being hungry and thirsty, is quickly forgotten.

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