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We treat your pet like part of our family
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| 1. | More than 53% of Americans will take their dog or cat traveling with them this year.
| | 2. | Many pets will travel well by car or airplane, but in most states, pets are prohibited from traveling on buses and trains.
| | 3. | For either long car trips or airplane flights, preparation is the key to insuring that your pet arrives safely.
| | 4. | First, a trip to the family veterinarian can help you obtain vaccine records, needed medications, and even a health certificate if it is needed.
| | 5. | Some sort of identification is imperative for your pet. Collars with ID tags or the permanent option of a microchip will help in the event your pet is lost during travel.
| | 6. | Next, if you are flying, call the airlines to determine their exact travel specifications and guidelines for the carrier you will need.
| | 7. | Some pets are allowed to travel in the cabin if they fall within a certain size range. Airlines may limit the number of pets in the cabin though.
| | 8. | Insure that your carrier is sturdy, has secure doors and latches, and can allow your pet to stand up.
| | 9. | Most accidents to pets during airline travel happen due to poorly constructed kennels or kennels that are missing pieces.
| | 10. | The American Veterinary Medical Association does not encourage or recommend the use of sedatives during airline travel.
| | 11. | If traveling by car with a pet, a jug of clean water along with frequent rest stops will help to make the trip go more smoothly. Experts recommend "stretch breaks" every 2-3 hours.
| | 12. | There are many pet friendly hotels and campgrounds across the United States and Canada. Even so, bringing along the pet's kennel will help to avoid any potential "accidents" and misunderstandings.
| | 13. | Just like people, some pets will not travel well. Veterinarians recommend pet sitters or boarding facilities for those pets who might not hold up to the rigors of travel.
| | 14. | Whether taking your pet along or not, your first visit should be to your family veterinarian for needed medications and potentially some valuable advice.
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Car Travel Tips Top 10 Tips for Safe Car Travel With Your PetFor some pet parents, a trip’s no fun if the four-legged members of the family can’t come. But traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and your animal companions. With thoughtful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone. Planning a road trip? Traveling with a pet involves more than just loading the animal in the back seat and motoring off—especially if you will be driving long distances or plan to be away for a long time. The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you prepare for a safe and smooth car trip: - Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. And P.S., it’s smart to get your pet used to the carrier in the comfort of your home before your trip.
- Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won’t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
- Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure. Don’t feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle—even if it is a long drive.
- Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
- What in your pet’s traveling kit? In addition to travel papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit, pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.
- Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wears a collar with a tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat (never choke!) collars, please.
- Don't allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. This can subject him to inner ear damage and lung infections, and he could be injured by flying objects. And
please keep him in the back seat in his crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle.
- Traveling across state lines? Bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states requires this proof at certain interstate crossings. While this generally isn’t a problem, it’s always smart to be on the safe side.
- When it comes to H2O, we say BYO. Opt for bottled water or tap water stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from an area he’s not used to could result in tummy upset for your pet.
- If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at auto product retailers.
Copyright © 2009. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). All Rights Reserved.
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Air Travel Tips Top 10 Tips for Safe Air Travel with Your Pet Traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and the four-legged members of your family. But with thoughtful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone. The ASPCA urges pet owners to think twice about flying their pets on commercial airlines, especially if they plan on checking them in as cargo. Unless your animal is small enough to fit under your seat and you can bring him or her in the cabin, the ASPCA recommends pet owners to not fly their animal. If pet owners have already committed to transporting their pets on commercial airlines, the ASPCA is offering the following top ten tips for safe air travel with your pet: - Make an appointment with your pet's veterinarian for a checkup, and make sure all vaccinations are up-to-date. Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of departure. For travel outside of the continental United States, additional planning and health care requirements may be necessary. Contact the foreign office of the country you are traveling to for more information.
- Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and is wearing a collar and ID tag. Breakaway collars are best for cats. The collar should also include destination information in case your pet escapes.
- Book a direct flight whenever possible. This will decrease the chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel.
- Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. Shipping crates can be purchased from many pet supply stores and airlines.
- Write the words "Live Animal" in letters at least one inch tall on top of and at least one side of the crate. Use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. On the top of the crate, write the name, address and telephone number of your pet's destination point, and whether you will be accompanying him or if someone else is picking him up. Make sure that the door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of an emergency. Line the crate bottom with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels— to absorb accidents.
- Affix a current photograph of your pet to the top of the crate for identification purposes. Should your pet escape from the carrier, this could be a lifesaver. You should also carry a photograph of your pet.
- The night before you leave, make sure you’ve frozen a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can’t spill during loading, and will melt by the time he’s thirsty. Tape a small pouch, preferably cloth, of dried food outside the crate. Airline personnel will be able to feed your pet in case he gets hungry on long-distance flights or a layover.
- Tranquilizing your pet is generally not recommended, as it could hamper his breathing. Check with your veterinarian first.
- Tell every airline employee you encounter, on the ground and in the air, that you are traveling with a pet in the cargo hold. This way, they’ll be ready if any additional considerations or attention is needed.
- If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check the animal whenever feasible. In certain situations, removing the animal from the cargo hold and deplaneing may be warranted.
Copyright © 2009. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). All Rights Reserved.
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Travel Checklists & information on car sickness here. |
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