| While on vacation, most people arrange for | | | | |
| their pets to stay at home and have friend or | | | | Don't forget to notify the airline, bus, or |
| family member take care of the animal. | | | | train company if a Seeing Eye dog is |
| Others, who do not have this option, take to | | | | accompanying you. This is because dogs other |
| alternatives such as a boarding kennel or a | | | | than Seeing Eye dogs accompanying blind |
| professional pet sitter. There are several | | | | persons are not allowed on buses and trains. |
| things that you must take into consideration | | | | |
| before heading out of town! | | | | If you're traveling by air, make sure that |
| | | | you've made all reservations and arrangements |
| Take out some time to think about whether | | | | regarding delivery and pickup from the |
| your pet is physically capable of traveling. | | | | airport upfront. Rules vary from airline to |
| If you are not sure, ask the veterinarian. | | | | airline. Follow airline instructions and |
| Let your veterinarian know where you're going | | | | check the airline's requirements for carrying |
| and for how long and how you'll be traveling. | | | | pets. If you're taking along smaller pets |
| This will help prevent health risks like | | | | like birds, hamsters and tropical fish, |
| flea, heartworm, or tick risks for places you | | | | consider transporting them by air express. |
| will be traveling. Also, it's important to | | | | You can obtain shipping containers from |
| ensure that all vaccinations are updated, | | | | airline freight departments, pet stores and |
| besides obtaining current health and rabies | | | | department stores as well. If you're carrying |
| certificates not earlier than ten days prior | | | | tropical fish, have it packed by a local |
| to your date of travel. You'll need this in | | | | specialist pet shop. |
| case your pet is flying. | | | | |
| | | | Again, it's important to make your pet |
| If it's the first time that you're traveling | | | | comfortable with the new environment. If |
| with your pet, it's worthwhile to take a | | | | you're obtaining a shipping container, have |
| short test trip. This will help you know if | | | | it a few days in advance so that you have |
| your pet gets carsick or restless while | | | | time to get your pet familiar with the |
| traveling, and obtain proper medications from | | | | container. Start with placing your pet in the |
| your veterinarian. Also, when traveling make | | | | container for a few minutes each day and |
| sure that you have your pets' favorite toys, | | | | steadily stretch the time until the pet is at |
| food and leash with you. This way, the pet | | | | ease. |
| will feel more comfortable at the new | | | | |
| destination. Make sure that you use your | | | | When traveling by air, feed your pet at least |
| leash when taking the pet outside, as the | | | | five to six hours before flight time, and |
| pets can sometimes get nervous in a new place | | | | give water two hours before flight. This will |
| and try to run. | | | | prevent hunger or thirst during the trip. |
| | | | Also, get the pet to the air terminal on |
| While at your destination, your pet should | | | | time. You should get there 45 minutes in |
| always sport a special identification tag | | | | advance of your flight time if the pet is |
| apart from the normal one. Be sure to mark | | | | accompanying you, and two hours in advance if |
| this tag with the pet's name, your name, the | | | | you're shipping the pet. Upon arrival, you |
| person to make contact with at the | | | | can usually pick your pet within 90 minutes |
| destination, the person's phone number, and a | | | | from the destination airport. Don't lose your |
| destination address. This will help you get | | | | air waybill number as it is required when |
| in touch with the pet in case it's separated. | | | | making inquires. |
| A foolproof way is to have the pet | | | | |
| micro-chipped. Animal clinics, humane | | | | It's a difference experience altogether when |
| societies, kennels, and shelters all over use | | | | your darling pet is at your side while on |
| scanners that can read the implanted chips. | | | | vacation. After all, for those who are |
| This will help you reunite with your lost | | | | passionate about their pets, getting there |
| pet. Here's good news! Microchip procedures | | | | with the animal is half the fun! |
| are harmless, fast and inexpensive. | | | | |