TSA issues stern warning to pet owners traveling with animals

TSA screening is an essential yet annoying part of traveling. Around two million people per day, on average, are screened by the Transportation Security Administration, with travelers having their carry-ons checked as well as going through scanners to make sure there’s nothing unsafe on their persons.

Some things have been changing favorably with the TSA recently, including the end to a longstanding, decades-old requirement that passengers must take their shoes off when going through airport security if they did not have TSA PreCheck.

And there are rumors that other changes could be coming as well, including the end of the ban on larger liquids.

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However, there are always going to be some rules in place to make sure everyone stays safe while traveling. And, just recently, the TSA reiterated one important rule for pet owners that anyone traveling with an animal needs to be sure they follow.

Read this warning before bringing animals through TSA.

Image source: Shutterstock

The TSA has a warning for pet owners traveling with their animals

On July 24, 2025, the TSA sent out a stern message through the agency’s Facebook page related to the rules for pets on airplanes.

The TSA stated, “OK friends, please — and we cannot emphasize this enough — stop hiding animals in weird places on your body and then trying to sneak them through airport security.”

The warning came in response to a woman who was traveling through Miami International Airport (MIA) who attempted to sneak two turtles through a TSA checkpoint. Rather than disclosing that she had the turtles with her, the woman stuffed them inside of her brassiere.

The TSA, of course, identified the turtles as part of the screening process and was able to take appropriate action with help from the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife.

What are the rules regarding traveling with small animals on planes?

While the TSA is not a fan of turtles being stuffed in bras, particularly since one of the two did not survive the incident, the Transportation Safety Administration made clear that it is actually OK to bring turtles and other small animals through security.

So, the subterfuge of turtles hidden in underwear was not even really necessary in this particular situation.

We want you to be able to travel with your pets, and you turtle-ly can, but please travel with them safely,” The TSA stated in its Facebook post. “You can start by reaching out to your airline for their rules concerning pets on board flights. As far as TSA screening goes, small pets are allowed through our checkpoint but must be removed from any carriers and carried through the checkpoint (notice we said ‘carried' and not ‘hidden underneath your clothing').”

Make sure you understand TSA requirements before heading out on your trip

As this TSA Facebook post shows, it is important to understand the rules before traveling so you can make sure that you are in full compliance and so you can ensure that everyone in your traveling party stays safe – pets included.

In a previous Facebook message earlier this year, the TSA had to remind passengers not to put their pets through the X-ray machine. There was also an incident with an escaped cat earlier this month, who fortunately was able to be returned to its owner after TSA officers stepped in and secured the feline.

More on travel:

For those who aren’t sure of the rules for their animals or other items they want to bring, text “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872) or try @AskTSA on Facebook to get help.