Traveling with your pet Pets
On a typical warm sunny day, you may find yourself driving your car with the windows down while your dog is peering out the window –- wind blowing in his face. This may appear to be harmless. However, it is not safe practice.
While we all love to see the shiny nose of a dog sticking out of a car window, the reality is that your pet’s eyes could be injured by debris and other dirt in the air. Moreover, a passing squirrel or another animal could prompt your pet to jump out of the window – a serious and often fatal mistake.
Taking your pet along could make vacation memories all the more special. Animal League America offers some tips on traveling with your pet that will help get your vacation off to a great start.
Make an Appointment with Your VetA visit to your veterinarian is important before traveling with your pet to be sure that he or she is up to date with shots and has received appropriate flea, heartworm and tick repellent.
Copies of your pet’s rabies certificate and other health information are particularly important if you are traveling by plane, as most airlines require these documents dated no more than 10 days prior to your first day of travel.
Tagged, Collared and Leashed Homeless pets are often found without tags or collars, making identification particularly difficult. Consider having your pet microchipped – a safe, quick and inexpensive way to ensure that a lost pet will be found.
Animal hospitals, humane societies, kennels, and shelters nationwide use scanners to read implanted chips, which are encoded with specific identifiable information.
When you and your pet are in an unfamiliar place, keep your pet on a leash and make sure the tags on your pet’s collar can be easily read.
Car and Boat Safety Traveling in a car for the first time can be scary for pets, so if you are planning an extended trip, take overnight or short trips beforehand to acclimate your pet to being in a car. Seat belts and harnesses are now available for pets that will not only keep them safe but will prevent you from being distracted by your pet while driving.
Pack a bottle of fresh water and a collapsible bowl and avoid sudden changes in diet.
Air Travel Pets must be transported in a crate if traveling by airplane. When choosing a crate, purchase one, in which your pet can lie down, stand up, sit, and circle around comfortably.
Your pet’s name and contact information for your home and destination as well as “Live Animal” should be written on the outside of the crate. Pets that travel in the cabin are required to fit under the seat in front of you.
Book a Pet-Friendly Hotel Nowadays, many vacation spots welcome animals but have specific rules and restrictions regarding pets. Call ahead to find out about any restrictions and fees associated with booking a room with your pet.
Submitted by North Shore Animal League America – www.animalleague.org