LesTout | Articles | Traveling with Your Pet

Today pets are considered family members and many people will not go on holiday without them. Just how easy is it to take Fido or Fluffy with you on holidays? This depends on where you are going, how long you will be gone, the mode of travel, the age and health of your pet and your pets’ ability to adapt to new and different surroundings.

If you are flying you can take your pet on the airplane but how he/she will travel depends on his/her size. A small animal can travel as hand luggage, the preferable way to travel, while a larger animal will travel in the cargo area as checked luggage. Your pet must be in a carrier or kennel. Soft sided carriers can be used as carry-on while a hard plastic kennel is required for checked animals. Getting the right size of carrier for your pet is important.

Veterinarians recommend that you do not sedate your pet when flying. Animals can adjust better to the altitude changes if they are not sedated.

Always check with the airline before you book your flight. Every airline has different regulations regarding traveling with pets. And yes, you must purchase a ticket for your pet. They do not fly free. The airlines also have the right to restrict the number of pets on any flight so the earlier you book your pet’s flight, the more likely your pet is to be able to fly with you.

If you are traveling by car you should put your pet in a kennel to insure that if you are in an accident your pet has less chance of being injured. Keeping your pet in a kennel will also make sure that the pet feels safe and secure and he/she can’t escape from the car and get lost.

Make sure your pet has proper identification tags and is wearing a collar in case he/she does get lost. If you are traveling internationally, you will be required to produce vaccination certificates for your pet. Requirements differ from country to country, so it is a good idea to check before you travel to make sure your pet has all the necessary vaccinations.

If you are staying in a hotel or motel, check when you make reservations to make sure your pet is welcome. There are pet friendly hotels but there are often restrictions on pet stays. Find out before you go what the hotel regulations are and if your pet is really welcome or the pet friendly status of the establishment is rigid and restrictive.

If you are planning to stay with friends or family, make sure your pet is welcome before you go. If a family member has allergies or a pet of their own that might not welcome another animal into his/her home, your host may not want you bring your pet. Not everyone is a “pet” person. Respect the wishes of your hosts when you travel.

If you decide to travel with your pet, make sure you are properly prepared before you leave home. A kennel is a must for any pet travel. Your pet should be in good health, with all his/her vaccinations up-to-date. Check with the airline, hotel and/or your hosts before you travel to ensure your pet is welcome. Pets can and do travel internationally but the main concern is the pet’s health and welfare so make sure when you travel with your pet it does not put undue stress on your furred friend.

RESOURCES:

Travel Checklist: http://www.petfriendly.ca/checklist.PHP

For more information on air travel with your pet: http://www.airlines.org/customerservice/passengers/Air+Travel+for+Your+Pet.htm
http://c3dsp.westjet.com/guest/travelTips.jsp;jsessionid=GMTMZJkJT32GNgkLhp9nJMJl142lVnpXBFlmgWVy3WJvwZLmv2BK#pets
http://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/services/preparing.HTML
http://www.takeyourpet.com/pages/air.htm

For pet travel tips:
http://www.consultezlinis.com/traveling-with-your-pet
http://www.petswelcome.com/milkbone/frametravinfo.HTML
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/traveling.ASP
http://www.petscanstay.com/pet-travel/articles/article_heading_south_with_your_pet.ASP
http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/travcat.HTML
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/caring_for_pets_when_you_travel/