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Traveling by yourself can be hectic and stressful, particularly if you aren't
well prepared. Traveling with your pet can also be stressful, not only to you,
but also to that four-legged member of your family. Careful planning, however,
can take a bite out of the stress and make it more comfortable and fun to
travel with your pets. One key bit of advice-- plan ahead, particularly if
you are traveling out of the United States. In some cases, you need to plan a
six months to a year ahead to ensure that you and your pet will enjoy the
adventure.
Some preliminary travel tips:
1. Make sure your pet is physically able to travel. If the pet is older,
if it is very young and not well trained yet, or if it has been sick or at
the vet a lot, reconsider your position. Your dog or cat may be better off
in familiar surroundings with a loving pet sitter than on unfamiliar turf
at this time.
2. If you are planning to travel abroad, particularly if you are planning
to travel from North America to United Kingdom countries, be aware that as of
this newsletter pets from North America still have to be quarantined for
six months in the UK at designated kennels before being allowed into the
country unless your pet has had a successful blood titer test, in which case no quarantine is required. You need to contact these kennels for their brochure information
and make arrangements well in advance of the planned trip. For complete instructions on the blood titer testing and forms for entering into the United Kingdom
countries, CLICK HERE.
(See http://www.maff.gov.uk/animal/quarantine/pets for information online.)
3. Visit your veterinarian. In the case of traveling abroad, make sure
you and your vet know what documents are necessary for ease of entry into
another country, particularly a European country. To purchase forms for over 80 countries,
CLICK HERE. Make sure that your pet has
his vaccination and rabies records up to date, the information is not more
than 10 days old and that you have two or three copies of this record with you.
Also, if your dog or cat isn't micro chipped, have your vet do this
identification chip. For the new 15 digit ISO microchip, CLICK HERE.
(For traveling in the UK under the new Pet Travel
Scheme [PETS], a
different microchip is needed. See story online at
Pet Travel.Com).
4. Ask your vet for information on traveling with your pet, and let
him know where you are going, how you are going to get there and how
long you will be gone. Ask for a referring veterinarian in the destination
area, and keep the phone number of the vet with you. Find out from your
veterinarian information on medications for motion sickness, tranquilizers
he would recommend, and any health dangers in that area, such as tick,
heartworm or flea infestations.
5. Purchase an appropriate carrier for your pet, depending on its size and
how you will travel. Several airlines have approved the Sherpa pet carrier
for in-cabin traveling with small pets. The carrier you choose should
allow the pet to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably, and should
be free of any interior protrusions that could injure your pet in travel.
Make sure your name, your pet's name and address and phone are printed on
the carrier in indelible ink.
A word about the carrier or crate. Don't spring
this mode of transportation on your dog or cat the day
you leave. Spend several weeks getting your pet used to the carrier or
crate in short intervals
before embarking on the pet vacation.
Check with the
airline if your pet will travel in the cargo hold to
find out their precautions for this mode of travel.
And leave the leash outside the carrier…your pet can get tangled in it when
traveling in the crate. Find an airline approved carrier at
PetTravelStore.com
6. Check with www.PetTravel.com to find out what accommodations are pet
friendly, and make sure to double check with them before making reservations
(policies do change, sometimes with new ownership or the time of the year).
CLICK HERE to do a search on any city in
the world.
7. If you are planning to travel via air with your pet in the cabin, you
will not only need to have an approved carrier, but you will need to purchase
a ticket for your pet. The object in traveling in-cabin is to be as unobtrusive
as possible, to have the experience be pleasant for you, your pet and your
fellow passengers and to maintain a good reputation with the airlines that
do allow small pets in the cabins.
The better behaved your pet is
(no running loose, no barking or howling) the more
likely it is that the airline will continue its pet friendly policy and
will encourage others in
the industry to accommodate pet owners as well.
8. When packing for your trip, you will need:
- The veterinarian's documents for your pet.
- Your pet should be micro chipped and wearing a collar with your information
on it.
- Your carrier or crate, complete with identification.
- A leash and an extra collar. Make sure your pet isn't wearing a choke
collar of any kind. Cats should have a safety collar on.
- Extra sheets or an old blanket for under the carrier for travel in
an automobile.
- A couple of sheets to cover furniture and/or the bed at your destination,
just in case.
- A blanket or cushion from your pet's home bedding.
- A container of your pet's food. If you pet eats a common food and you know
that it is available, you needn't bring a whole bag. But, if you don't know if
you'll find your pet's food, then bring it with you. (Don't forget a can opener
and spoon, if needed)
- Distilled water, or at least water from your own home. Two gallons (8 Liters) should
be sufficient, but if you see that you are running lower than a gallon, add
part of the destination water to the home water, so that your pet can get
acclimated to the other water in a diluted form.
- Of course, you're pet's food and water dish, and a portable water container
for traveling while at your destination.
- Backpack for your dog if you are going to be doing hiking or walking.
- Booties for your dog if you plan to travel on uneven or hilly ground
- Their favorite chew toys
- Treats
- Grooming supplies, such as a brush or comb, a lint remover for hotel
furniture, tweezers, scissors
- Good suggestions: Bring along baby wipes. They are great for keeping paws
clean, for clean up any "accidents"
- Trash bags and waste removal bags
- Disinfectant and carpet cleaner
- Extra old towels
- Newspaper, a full litter pan and extra liners for your cat.
- If traveling by car, use a thick pad of newspapers, covered with an old
towel or blanket in your cat's carrier. Change the carrier frequently (but
only when the car is stopped!). Before letting your cat out of the carrier,
make sure the doors of the car and the windows are shut, so they can't run away.
If you decide to use this time for a short walk, use a cat harness and leash.
Under no circumstances should your cat run free.
- Pet medication, particularly enough of any prescription medication for
the trip
An approved dog restraint device when traveling by car. Don't forget--
in case of an accident, dogs can be thrown around the car and be injured
or killed.
- Flashlight (for walking after dark)
- First aid kit for humans and pets
9. If you are traveling by car, make sure your air conditioning is working
properly and that you use it while driving. Don't roll down the windows and
let your dog hang its head out of the window, and never have your pet in the
back of a truck.
10. Pack a relaxed attitude. This is supposed to be fun for your family and
your pet. Check out interesting places to visit along the way or at your
destination, and plan extra time for impulse side trips. |
