Traveling With Pets - All About Dogs and Cats

NEVER LEAVE
YOUR PET
ALONE IN A
PARKED CAR!
Overheating can kill
an animal.
It only takes ten
minutes on an
85-degree day for
the inside of your
car to reach 102
degrees Fahrenheit,
even if the windows
have been left open
an inch or two

ALL ABOUT DOGS and CATS Resource Center for Canine & Feline Lovers

Traveling with Pets

Remember, It’s no
fun riding in the car
when your vision
is limited to the
dashboard, seats,
door handles and
sky. Small dogs
need elevated seats
to enjoy the scenery.

The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you prepare for a safe
and smooth car trip:

Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of
short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car.

If possible, your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a
light meal three to four hours prior to departure.

Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day,
even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a
furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather,
a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the
animal to freeze to death.

What is in your pet’s traveling kit? In addition to travel papers,
food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming
supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit, pack a favorite toy or
pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.

Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag imprinted with
your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your
cell phone, destination phone number, and any other relevant
contact information. Canines should wear flat (never choke!)
collars.

Don't allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window.
This can subject him to inner ear damage and lung infections, and
he could be injured by flying objects.

Traveling across state lines? Bring along your pet’s rabies
vaccination record, as some states require this proof at certain
interstate crossings. This is absolutely essential if travelling
between USA and Canada.

When it comes to H2O, we say BYO. Opt for bottled water or tap
water from home, stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from an
area he’s not used to could result in tummy upset for your pet.
Carry a gallon thermos of cold water, or bring along a two-liter
plastic bottle of water that you’ve frozen the night before.

If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in
rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at
auto product retailers.

Recommended
Online Reading
Travel Tips -
Takeyourpet.com

Pet Travel Tips -
PetTravel Center.com
Travel with Pets --
Packing, Preparation
and Other Trip Tips
(PAW - Partnership
for Animal Welfare)

Pets prone to biting or excessive vocalizing, or who cannot follow basic obedience
commands should not travel.

Take into account the type of vacation you have planned. A fishing and hiking trip is a
delightful experience for a dog, but not at all suited for a cat. Also consider how much
time your pet may have to stay alone, cooped up in a hotel room. If your pet can't
actively participate in the trip, he/she will be better off staying
home with someone you trust.

Travel By Car TIPS FOR SAFE CAR TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET

Small pets, in airline approved carriers, can often be taken right on board the plane
with you, while larger animals must stay in approved crates in the cargo area.
Rules vary from airline to airline. The number of pets allowed both in the cabin
area and cargo is limited...so make your reservations well in advance. Some airlines
will not take pets at all and some will allow pets only in the cabin. There are also
rules about when pets are allowed in cargo depending upon the season (the cargo
hold is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer.)

Check your destination's requirements for bringing pets if you are going to another
country. Make sure that there is not a quarantine required. Preparations for
international travel (vaccinations, microchipping, obtaining health certificates from
the required agencies) can take up to six months.

For more information and tips on air travel with your pet read:
TOP TEN TIPS FOR SAFE AIR TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET (ASPCA)
The Jet Set Pet ™. Airline Pet Regulations
International Travel for the Jet Set Pet™

For an alphabetical listing of all major domestic and international airlines and their
regulations see: Airline Pet Regulations

Travel By Train or Bus

Except for Assistance Dogs, which are not considered pets, no national commercial
carriers (Amtrak, VIA Rail, Greyhound) in North America allow pets as passengers.

Dogs of all sizes are allowed on some regional trains and buses in the U.S. and
Canada - including the subway and buses in Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and
Toronto. In addition, well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on the Metro North
Trains serving New York City and points in the northern New York Suburbs, points up
to the Catskill area and New Haven, Connecticut.

Dog-Friendly Public Transportation In the United States and Canada.
(Light Rail, Trains, Buses, Ferries)

Leashed dogs of all sizes are allowed on short and long distance trains in England.
France, Germany and most other European countries.

While family and good friends and neighbors are usually the best
choices for your pet, there are many excellent professional pet
sitters and boarding kennels. If your pet is ill or needs special
medical care you may want to consider leaving her in a verterinary
clinic while you are away.

NEVER LEAVE
YOUR PET
ALONE IN A
PARKED CAR!
Overheating can
kill an animal.
It only takes ten
minutes on an
85-degree day for
the inside of your
car to reach 120
degrees
Fahrenheit, even if
the windows have
been left open an
inch or two

Pet Friendly Travel - Accomodations, Restaurants, Parks, Beaches

Before you make plans to include your furry friend in your family
vacation, determine if your pet is able to or should travel. Most
dogs, and some cats, take well to travelling. Very young or
very old pets, pets who are sick, injured, or pregnant should
not travel. Always check with your veterinarian before you
decide to take him/her along.

Prepare your dog for car travel.
Although most dogs love going for
car rides, they need to be introduced
to car travel in a non- threatening,
pleasant way.

Before embarking on a vacation with
your dog, get him used to moving
vehicles. Start by driving him around
a block or two, then gradually
prolong the ride.

Do not make going to the vet the only
time your dog rides in the car. Take
pleasant rides to places like parks and
beaches and he will look forward to a
car ride as much as he does a walk..

Whether you are taking your pet or boarding her, make sure all vaccinations are up to
date. Kennels typically require a bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine to be given at least
two weeks in advance of boarding. Even if you are taking your dog on your trip, you
may have to board her unexpectedly. Bring a copy of medical records, including rabies
certificate. Apply flea and tick preventative to your dog. Pack any medications needed,
including heartworm and other preventives.

Some areas have a higher incidence of Lyme disease-carrying ticks than others.
Especially if you're camping and hiking with your dog, get a Lyme vaccination well in
advance of your trip.

Ensure that your pet's identification is secure on its collar or leash. Include a phone
number where you can be reached while away from home, just in case you and your
pet become separated during your travels. Always keep your cell phone with you.

Bring photos of your pet in case he escapes and you need to make �lost pet�
posters. Store the pictures in resealable plastic bags. Also, pack a photo of family
members with the pet in case you need additional proof that the pet is yours.

Planning Your Trip/ Vacation

There are specific legal guidelines and restrictions
for pet air travel.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA)
governs air travel for pets. The airlines themselves
also have varying regulations. Contact your airline
well in advance for their rules, particular
procedures and requirements.

Travel By Air GUIDELINES and RESTRICTIONS

Breed-Specific Legislation
There is a trend in many cities,
counties, states and provinces
towards Breed-Specific Laws (BSL) in
which a municipality bans or restricts
the freedoms of dog owners with
specific breeds of dogs. These laws
vary from place to place and are
affecting a greater number of dog
owners every month. People may
think that these laws affect only the
"Pit Bull". This is not the case. There
are at least 50 breeds of dogs as well
as mixed breeds that include targeted
breeds in North America. The majority
of Dogs affected are Pit Bulls and
similar dogs, but other breeds are
affected as well. These laws range
from registration requirements and
leash or muzzle requirements to
extreme laws in which the breed(s)
are banned from the municipality
outright. Some places may even
confiscate a visitors dog who
unknowingly enters the region with a
banned breed.

Check before you go:
US Breed Specific Laws
Canada Breed Specific Laws

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