Santa, Reindeer Given All-Clear for Upcoming Flight

Reindeer must undergo routine vet checks before flight.
Reindeer must undergo routine vet checks before flight.
(Sonja Begemann)

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Santa’s veterinarian approved him and his team for flight around the world Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019. Santa, Nicholas Claus, must undergo this process each year to ensure safe flight.

From the North Pole, Santa and his team of Reindeer have permits to enter and exit the U.S. between 7:00 p.m. Dec. 24 and 7:00 a.m. Dec. 25.  

“Ease of access into the U.S. for Mr. Claus and his nine reindeer will ensure that children all over the country—including my own fourteen grandchildren—will wake up on Christmas morning with job and filled with the spirit of the season,” says Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “USDA issued this permit in advance and waived all applicable fees to help ensure a smooth trip on Christmas Eve night.”  

Reindeer must undergo tests to ensure they can safely fly and handle altitude and temperature changes throughout their long journey. Their veterinarian also certified reindeer are up-to-date with vaccinations.

“After a full examination and review of their medical records, I’m pleased to say Santa’s reindeer are healthy, in great shape, and ready to fly on Christmas Eve,” says John Howe, DVM to Veterinary Practice News.

With safe reindeer in tow, expect Santa to arrive on rooftops the night of Dec. 24, donned with jingle bells and filled with brightly wrapped gifts.

Santa, who was not available for direct comment, said in a statement he’s looking forward to a busy night of deliveries and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!

 

Latest News

Fairlife Forms New Partnership with Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky
Fairlife Forms New Partnership with Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky

The Katie Ledecky partnership with fairlife's Core Power will leverage her authentic recovery moments to help educate and inspire athletes of all levels around the importance of post-workout recovery.

Simple Breathing Exercises for Farmers to Help with Anxiety and Stress
Simple Breathing Exercises for Farmers to Help with Anxiety and Stress

More and more people in the dairy community are struggling because they are overworked or overstressed, have trouble concentrating, feel fatigued, have trouble sleeping, have more headaches and so many other symptoms. 

Properly Prepared Beef Remains Safe; Meat Institute Calls For Guidance to Protect Workers at Beef Facilities
Properly Prepared Beef Remains Safe; Meat Institute Calls For Guidance to Protect Workers at Beef Facilities

The Meat Institute said properly prepared beef remains safe to eat and called for USDA and the CDC to provide worker safety guidance specific to beef processors to ensure workers are protected from infection.

 A Message to the Ag Industry about H5N1
A Message to the Ag Industry about H5N1

The livestock industry needs a comprehensive, cohesive plan to address the virus. Producers, their employees and veterinarians need clear answers and support from U.S. agricultural leadership, moving forward.

USDA Now Requiring Mandatory Testing and Reporting of HPAI in Dairy Cattle as New Data Suggests Virus Outbreak is More Widespread
USDA Now Requiring Mandatory Testing and Reporting of HPAI in Dairy Cattle as New Data Suggests Virus Outbreak is More Widespread

USDA is now ordering all dairy cattle must be tested prior to interstate travel as a way to help stop the spread of HPAI H5N1. This comes a day after FDA confirmed virus genetic material was found in retail milk samples.

Wisconsin Farmer Combines His Two Loves Together—Education and Dairy
Wisconsin Farmer Combines His Two Loves Together—Education and Dairy

Patrick Christian life calling was away from the family farm, or so he thought. Eventually, he married his two loves together—education and dairy—and has used that to help push his family’s dairy farm forward.