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Car Travel with Your Pet

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• If your pet has never been in a car, take him on short rides to get him ready for the trip.

• Schedule a check-up with your veterinarian prior to your departure date, especially for animals with any long-term health concerns.

• Your pet should ALWAYS be safely secured during the trip.  A spooked cat will head straight for the pedals.  Dogs should never be allowed to hang out of windows, even a window opened only slightly.  Severe injuries can occur if you have to stop the car suddenly, and there’s always the risk of the dog jumping out.  A crate is recommended.  It would be well-ventilated, and be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down.  Line the bottom with a blanket to absorb urine in case of accidents.

• Your pet should wear a collar at all times with your name, address, and phone numbers.  Before traveling, make sure all your microchip contact information is up-to-date as well.

• Try not to travel with your pet in extreme weather conditions.  If you must travel in hot weather, do so in the early morning or early evening.

• Stop frequently (at least every hour and a half) to give your pet some food, water, and exercise.  DO NOT allow your dog to run loose at rest areas.  No matter how well-trained an animal is, remember that you are in a new place, and there are a lot of unusual noises.  An accident can occur in seconds.

• NEVER leave your pet alone in the car, even for a few minutes.  In hot weather, heat stroke can occur in minutes.  Animals can freeze in cold temperatures.  Also, it takes practically no time for someone to break into the car and take your pet.  If you must travel with your pet, also travel with a friend or family member so that one of you can remain with your pet at all times.

• If you are going to be staying in a hotel, call ahead and make sure your pet is welcome. Also be aware of additional fees you may incur.

• When you arrive at your final stop, keep your pet in a quiet, calm area, and give her lots of time to adjust to the new place.

• Tranquilization is not usually required for car trips, but if you know your pet gets carsick, consult with your veterinarian and a light sedative may be given.

Hopefully these tips will help get you there and back again with your furry companion safely; we wish you many wonderful journeys in the future!

Air Travel Tips

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Top 10 Tips for Safe Air Travel with Your Pet

Cat in SuitcaseTraveling 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, Animal General recommends pet owners to not fly their animal. If pet owners have already committed to transporting their pets on commercial airlines, we offer the following top ten tips for safe air travel with your pet:

  1. 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 are necessary. Contact our travel expert, Mary Vazquez, at 212-501-9600 for more information.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Tranquilizing your pet is generally not recommended, as it could hamper his breathing. Check with your veterinarian first.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

Article courtesy of ASPCA.org.