Travel With Pets
Traveling with a pet requires planning and preparation.
These tips will help ensure a safe and less stressful trip:
What To Pack: Make sure to include leashes, collar, food, medication and your pet(s) favorite toy.
Your Pet’s Health: Make sure that your pet is healthy and all of the vaccinations are up to date. Vaccinations must be administered at least 30 days before departure. Rabies certificates should be obtained and signed no more than 10 days before departure, especially if travelling to another country.
Pet Risk Destination Assessment: Check health risks in the destination area such as Lyme disease, Rabies, Heartworm, and other parasites and viruses. Treat your pet to prevent affliction. As well, check for breed restrictions at the destination before traveling. Some types of breeds and animal species are banned in various cities, provinces, states throughout North America.
Pet Identification: Provide your pet with two identification tags. Make sure the tag contains your name, all of your contact numbers, home address, and phone number and address of your destination location. A microchip is a permanent way to identify your pet.
Air and Out of Country Travel: Sick, injured, too young or too old, and pregnant pets should not fly. Do not feed your pet for four to six hours prior to air travel.
A pet passport can be purchased at most local pet stores or on the internet. The passport will keep all of your pet’s health information and emergency contacts readily available. Attach a photograph of your pet to the top of the carrier. This will help with identification if it gets out of the carrier. You should also keep a picture in your purse or wallet. Place the words, Live Animal on the top and the sides of the carrier if your pet is travelling cargo.
Airline Pet Carriers: Have a durable carrier with handles and proper locking. It should also have good ventilation and the pet should be able stand up, turn around and lie down. Write your home and destination contact information on the carrier. Put comfortable bedding on the inside.. Place ice cubes in the pet’s dish in the carrier. It will melt during the trip and provide the pet with water without making a mess.
Airline Pet Regulations: Pet policies differ among airlines. Some airlines have such restrictions as cabin weight limitations, a certain breed prohibited, no pets when there is bad weather, and other pet carrier guidelines. Make sure you call the airline well ahead of time to obtain the essential information for flying with your pet.
(Airline pet regulations phone numbers)
