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1. 1.
Plan
Ahead! Depending on your destination,
you may need to plan up to a year ahead of time,
especially for pets traveling out of the country. Some
foreign countries have extensive import requirements for
pets, including health certificates, microchip
identification, vaccine titer blood testing, and months
of time in a quarantine facility. Even a short car trip
across state lines, requires vaccinations and a
veterinary- issued health certificate. It’s important
to know the requirements and complete them in order well
in advance of your scheduled trip. Besides the cost of
an airline ticket, there may be other substantial
expenses related to your trip. Always check with your
veterinarian for information on pet travel and, if
flying, your airline for their exact pet policies and
procedures.
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1. 2.
Do your homework! Know your destination! Are
you relocating across the country, taking a new job
abroad, driving down south for the winter or just taking
a weekend getaway? Start researching the area you’ll be
visiting now. Will you be able to purchase Fido’s
favorite canine cuisine locally? Is the tap water safe
to drink? Are there pet- friendly facilities and
accommodations on hand? How about a trusted
veterinarian? While we Americans generally consider our
pets full-fledged members of the family, some foreign
cultures may score lower on the pet-friendly scale.
Take the time to read about your destination’s culture
and current regulations regarding pets and find out if
pet products and services are readily available before
you depart.
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3. Get a healthy start and visit your vet!
Make sure your pet is physically ready to travel. Visit
your veterinarian before you leave for a medical checkup
and to be sure your pet is parasite free with up-to-date
vaccinations. Sick or pregnant animals, young puppies
and kittens and geriatric dogs and cats may be
significantly stressed by a day trip to visit Aunt Ada,
or even worse, a weeklong adventure in Walla Walla.
These pets may appreciate staying in the comfort of
their own homes with a loving pet sitter rather than
hitting the open road.
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4. Identification,
Identification, Identification! A tag on your
pet’s collar is essential! If Smokey should stray in a
strange place, make sure his tag contains your local
address and phone number away from home, so he can be
returned to you sooner if lost. Microchip identification
is another option, which may even be required for some
destinations, but does not replace a collar with tag
while traveling. Having a current photo of your pet
along is also a good idea if you should ever be
separated.
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5. Brush up on
obedience! If your dog is lacking in the good
behavior department, re-visit some basic obedience
commands or re-enroll in a refresher course before your
departure. A well behaved pooch will make travel more
comfortable and fun for everyone. If your pet is
traveling in the airplane cabin, he/she should be as
low-profile as possible; polite pets make fellow
passengers and the airlines happy and may encourage
other industries to become more pet-friendly as well!
Tranquilizers are generally not recommended for use when
flying.
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6. Cabin vs. Cargo
If your travel plans include flying the friendly skies,
you’ll have to decide whether your pet will fly in the
cabin or cargo area. While the cabin is preferable, many
airlines have size or weight restrictions on who can
ride under your seat. The cargo area may not be as well
ventilated or climate controlled, so certain breeds like
Pugs and Persians , whose airways are already
compromised, may have breathing difficulties riding
there. If in doubt, discuss the matter with your
veterinarian or consider another mode of transport for
your pet. Try to book a direct flight whenever possible
and remember pets won’t be allowed to fly as cargo in
extremely cold (20 degrees Fahrenheit or below) or hot
(85 degrees Fahrenheit or above) temperatures. |
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Do
7. Gear up! Secure your pet safely for
travel with a pet carrier or seat belt harness. Travel
carriers are required by all airlines and many have
specific regulations pertaining to them. Having your pet
secured within a vehicle protects him/her (and you!)
from injury in the event of an accident and prevents
him/her from distracting you while driving. If restraint
within the vehicle is a new concept for Chloe, get her
used to her new gear in short intervals weeks before you
actually venture forth. Likewise, if Henry is more
homebody than world traveler, take some short rides
around the block or treks through town to get him used
to riding in a car.
More about the travel carrier… Pet taxi,
crate, carrier, kennel… whatever you call it, here are
some more tips for selecting one: The carrier should be
just large enough so your pet can stand up, sit down,
turn around and lie down comfortably. Your name and
contact information (both permanent and while traveling)
and a current photo of your pet should be affixed to the
top. Line the bottom of the carrier with absorbent
bedding (puppy pads work great!) and include any other
special notes or instructions regarding your pet. Label
the crate “LIVE ANIMAL” with arrows indicating the
upright position of the crate.
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8. Food
and water Traveling is not the time to
introduce a new diet to your pet! A quick jaunt through
the nearest fast food drive-thru or a visit to the very
limited pet food aisle of a roadside truck stop is not a
suitable substitution for the pet food you forgot to
bring along. (Besides, a traveling pet with an upset
digestive system can quickly ruin an otherwise wonderful
trip.) Pack a generous supply of your pet’s regular
food, and check ahead for its availability at your new
destination. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle; a
carsick pet is no fun for anyone either! Pack plenty of
drinking water to use in case fresh water is not
available or safe to drink along the way. Ice cubes can
also be used: they don’t spill as easily, stay cold
longer, and are easier on the stomach than big gulps of
water.
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9.
Back seat etiquette You’ve probably heard them
before, and while they seem like common sense, these
tips are worth repeating, because they’re so important!
• The back seat is the safest place to ride, preferably
snugly secured in a pet carrier or seatbelt harness.
• Never allow your pet to hang out an open window while
driving. A nose to the open road may be the highlight of
motoring for Maggie, but it just isn’t safe.
• Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. On a warm
day, even in the shade with open windows, the
temperature in the car can quickly climb to over 20
degrees above the air temperature, and cause heatstroke,
or worse, death. In cold weather, a car can act as a
refrigerator, sealing in the cold air.
• Never allow a dog to ride in the back of an open
pickup truck. It’s not only dangerous, but illegal in
many states.
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10. Pack
patience and a relaxed attitude. The whole
reason Tigger is tagging along is for fun, right?
Traveling with your pet is a great experience for both
of you. You get to share new sights (and smells), while
bonding together all along the way. Plan extra time to
get where you’re going, and stop often for potty and
exercise breaks. If you are flying, try to stay patient
and relaxed, so your pet doesn’t absorb any unnecessary
tension from you.
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11.
What’s in your pet travel kit?
• Important documents from your veterinarian such as a
health certificate, Rabies certificate, and vaccination
certificate.
• Your pet’s collar and leash with identification tag
and contact information (Your pet should actually be
wearing this!)
• A photo of your pet
• Your pet’s travel carrier with identification and
contact information
• Pet blankets, beds, and pillows
• A plentiful supply of pet food and bottled drinking
water. Pet food and water bowls. (Collapsible ones are
great for travel!) A can opener and spoon, if needed
• Your pet’s favorite toys and treats
• Grooming supplies and sweaters and booties for dogs
who need them
• Pet first aid kit and an ample supply of any
medications your pet may be taking. Phone numbers for
veterinarians and other pet-related professionals
• Cleaning supplies: baby wipes, newspaper, disinfectant
spray, carpet cleaner, old towels, and garbage bags may
make messes on the road easier to manage
• Potty supplies: A full litter box for cats with extra
litter, scoop, and waste bags. Waste bags and scoop for
dogs
• See Number 10. |
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