Holiday Travel With
Pets:
Tips From the American Humane Association
DENVER, Nov. 17, 2009
–
Some pets love traveling — while others find it extremely stressful. However,
with increased awareness of the risks inherent in traveling with animals, owners
can prepare and minimize undue stress on their pets. These travel tips from the
American Humane Association can help ensure that holiday trips, and travels
year-round, are safe and enjoyable for people and their
pets.
1.
Properly identify
pets with ID tags and microchips -- Make sure your
pets have ID and current rabies tags and are microchipped. To be extra cautious,
give your pets an additional tag with the address and phone number of where you
will be staying for the duration of the trip, in case they get lost after you
arrive.
2.
Train pets to travel
in their crates -- Whether you’re
heading to your holiday destination by plane, train or automobile, getting your
pets used to their crates will make the entire traveling experience less
stressful. Even when away from home, pets still view their crates as a safe
haven from stressful situations.
3.
With a crate, size
does matter -- Crates should be
large enough for pets to stand and turn around in comfortably. Remember to keep
water inside the crate or allow for breaks every three hours so that your pets
can drink and stretch.
4.
Never leave your pets
unattended -- Just as you would
never leave a child unattended, never leave your pets alone in a
car.
5.
Be prepared
--
Take your pets’ health records with you, just in case they need to see a
veterinarian during your trip. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if she
recommends heartworm prevention or treatment for fleas or ticks for the area in
which you are traveling. Keep pet dishes in
your car, as well as extra water and pet food, in case of car trouble or bad
weather.
6.
To fly or not to
fly
-- As a rule, puppies and kittens, sick animals, animals in heat, and frail or
pregnant animals should not travel by air. If a pet is too large to fly in the
cabin with you, perhaps a stay at a boarding kennel would be a safer choice. You
should also plan ahead because many airlines have restrictions regarding pets,
and your pets may need a health certificate to fly.
7.
Visit your
veterinarian -- Your vet may
prescribe a sedative to help reduce your pet’s stress level while traveling.
However, sedatives are not always safe for pets so be sure to give your vet the
details of how your pet will be traveling and how long the trip will take.
8.
Boarding is an option
--
If your pets are too large to fly in the cabin with you, or if a long car ride
might be too stressful for them, boarding your pets at a kennel may be a safer
choice. Or you could hire a licensed pet sitter to take care of your pets in the
comfort of your own home.
9.
Try to keep pets on
the same "schedule" -- Stop when you
would normally let your pets out at home and at feeding
times.
10.
Plan lodging
ahead -- Research your
route, make reservations and carry a list of pet-friendly lodging along the way.
Also, ask for a room on the ground floor so it is easier to walk your pets.
Don’t let your pets stay in the car.
The American Humane
Association wishes everybody safe and happy travels this holiday season and
throughout the year. For more information on about American Humane, go to americanhumane.org.
Comments