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Making Travel Plans Summer is the perfect time to travel—the weather is warm, the kids are out of school, and things tend to slow down at work. While you are busy buying sunscreen, notifying the babysitter, and taking the time off from work, don’t forget about the family pet. If you are not planning on taking your pets with you on vacation, be sure to secure a pet sitter or boarding arrangements well in advance. Don’t forget the little guys like hamsters and birds, and remember boarding kennels fill up fast during the summer and holidays! Traveling by Road If you are planning to take your dog or cat with you, please keep in mind everything you should plan for in advance. Before you consider taking dogs and cats on the road, always check with your vet. Also, contact the state veterinarian for your destination state, as well as every state you are traveling through. Almost all states have rabies vaccination requirements, and some have other requirements you should know about before bringing your pet along with you. You will also need a list of pet-friendly hotels along your route. This website provides a list of pet-friendly hotels: http://www.tripswithpets.com/. Also, consider that you will not be able to eat at restaurants on the way to and from your destination unless they have a drive-thru. Leaving a dog or cat in the car during summertime heat, even for a few minutes can be fatal. Safety First Remember, your pet is a valued member of your family. Just like you wouldn’t allow your children to ride without their seatbelts, do no allow your pet to ride without a restraint or crate. Small dogs and cats who are wandering loose in cars can become stuck under the gas or brake pedal, causing an accident. Loose animals can get between passengers and airbags, causing injury; they also become projectiles during a crash. Please, put your cats and dogs in car-safe crates, or use a pet restrain belt, which can be attached to the seatbelt of any car. Once you have safely reached your destination, you will need to make plans for taking your animals with you when you go out, or keeping them crated in the room. It is not a good idea to leave pets unconfined and unattended in hotel rooms. They are not familiar with the surroundings and may exhibit behavior they normally wouldn’t at home, such as chewing. Bringing your pets with you on vacation, only to keep them confined for hours on end is no vacation for them. Your pets’ comfort and safety should be considered before your desire to have them tag along with you. Below, is a list of items you should remember to bring when traveling with your pets:
If you absolutely have to take your pet on an airplane to travel, which NHES advises against unless there is an emergency, please use the proper precautions. Like traveling by car, you need to check each state’s regulations for transporting live animals. Talk with your vet before you make any decision to bring an animal on a plane, and be sure to have a copy of your pet’s health records, including proof of rabies vaccination. If traveling outside the Before you book your flight, check with the individual airline to learn about their regulations regarding transporting pets. Although dogs and cats are protected by the Animal Welfare Act, most are still transported in the cargo area of planes. Consider the duration of the flight and the well-being of your pet before deciding to bring them.
* Traveling with pets can be exciting as long as you keep in mind all safety aspects, as well as the idea that this is a vacation for your pet, too! Choose animal-friendly destinations where Fido or Fluffy won’t be crated for long periods of time, and remember that they love being a part of the family as much as you love having them! |