As travel requirements lift and everyone rushes out to once again enjoy vacations, what does that mean for your pet? Debating whether to bring them with, or leave them a home with a trusted sitter? According to The Humane Society of the United States, think about what is safest and most comfortable for your pet. If you can spend lots of time with your pet while on vacation, then bring Fido or Fluffy along. If not, they would probably be happier and less stressed at the kennel or with a pet-sitter while you’re away.
If you’ve decided the vacation will be equally pleasant for both you and your pet, here are some tips for traveling safely together this summer.
Road Rules for Traveling with a Dog or Cat
We’ve all seen the joyous expression on a dog whose cheeks are flapping in the breeze with their head hanging out the car window. But that’s not the safest way for dogs to travel in a moving vehicle. The safest way is to travel in a crate that is strapped into the back seat, or a dog restraint that keeps your dog from roaming in the car and from flying into the windshield in case of an accident. Plus, a roaming pooch, no matter how cute, can be a huge distraction for the driver. Veterinarians also discourage their clients from ever letting their dogs ride in the back of an open pickup truck. They do encourage frequent stops to allow pets to exercise and do their “business,” just make sure they have they have the ID on their collar, are preferably microchipped, and are always walked while on a leash.
Most cats aren’t very comfortable in a car, as you may well know from a recent vet visit. They can howl, make messes, and hide in hard to reach places if left to roam freely–or worse, they can escape at their first opportunity. The best place for cats is in a carrier, secured by a seat belt around the front of the carrier. They, too, should be placed in the back seat. This serves two purposes; it keeps the driver’s attention on the road, and also protects your pet in case air bags deploy.
It’s helpful to bring along a human buddy as well. That way you can make pitstops knowing someone is keeping a close eye on your pet. Also, never, ever leave a pet alone in your car–even if you think it will be or just a little while. It’s a serious heat hazard as your car can reach temperatures up to 116 degrees within an hour when the outside temperature is a comfortable 72 degrees.
Can You Take Your Pet in an Uber?
Uber is a great way to get around, particularly if you’re vacationing in a city you’ve never been to before. The good news is that Uber does offer pet-friendly rides, which allows you to bring one pet with you on the ride. To order an Uber that’s pet-friendly, simply click on “choose to customize” when ordering your ride on the Uber app and swipe to add pet-friendly ride. Uber allows one animal, such as a dog or cat, per rider and will charge you an additional fee. It’s important to keep your pet leashed or in a carrier at all times. You might also want to put a towel under the carrier as you could be charged a cleaning fee if your pet leaves waste, excessive hair, or causes any damage to the vehicle.
How To Make The Skies Pet-Friendlier
Air travel can be tough enough on us humans. For your pets, it can be seriously traumatic. Traveling by air is especially dangerous for animals with pushed-in noses (called brachycephalic), including pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats. Their short nasal passages make them especially vulnerable to heat stroke and oxygen deprivation.
If you must travel by air with your pet, first call the airline directly to inquire about restrictions and to make your reservation. Find out if they can travel in the cabin with you. United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, and Spirit Airlines all charge fees to allow your small pet to travel with you, usually under your seat. These airlines also have pet relief areas in the airports they fly in and out of, which is handy in between long connecting flights. If they must travel as cargo, make sure to get an approved pet carrier and make sure they are kept in a heated and ventilated cargo hold during the entire trip. For some cats and dogs, this is actually preferable, as it’s quieter and darker. Just make sure they are in a sturdy container that can lock and also has enough room for them to stand and site, turn around normally, and lie down in a natural position. It’s also important that either you or someone you trust is waiting to retrieve them as they come through baggage claim.
Don’t forget your pet’s carrier will have to pass through security screening with you. You can either have them securely harnessed so they can walk through security with you, or request a special secondary screening that won’t require you to take them out of the carrier.
Can You Take Your Pet On a Cruise?
Cruise ships are the least pet-friendly way for your fur babies to travel. Some allow pets in the cabin, but most require you to confine your pet to an on-board kennel the entire cruise. If you must kennel your pet while underway, check to see that it’s protected from the elements and check on them frequently throughout the journey.
The Big Exception to the Rule
Service animals are allowed anywhere their handlers need to take them. They can accompany their owner into restaurants, stores, movie theaters, doctors’ offices, hotels, and basically just about anywhere they need to go. If you are traveling by air with a service animal, it’s usually allowed to have them outside of a carrier as long as they can fit within the handler’s foot space on the aircraft. Most airlines require passengers to fill out and submit a service animal form up to 48 hours in advance of the flight if possible. Service animals are also free to ride in an Uber or taxi at no extra charge.
What Do You Need To Get Your Pet Ready For The Trip?
It’s important to make sure the first stop on your trip is to the veterinarian to be sure your pet is healthy up-to-date on all its shots. The USDA requires that all pets crossing state borders (with the exception of guide dogs) have a rabies immunization and valid health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10-30 days of travel. And if you need to board your pet at any point during the trip, your pet will likely need a Bordetella vaccine. Likewise, if your pet is on medication, make sure you have plenty with you in case you encounter a delay along the route. It is not recommended by the FAA to tranquilize or sedate dogs or cats riding in cargo holds because they could harm animals while in flight. It’s also advised to have a current copy of your pet’s shot records, chip and/or ID information, and a photograph of your pet with you just in case you get separated along the way.
The vets at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic can make sure your pet is ready to safely travel with you, or can recommend qualified pet sitting partners throughout the community. They can also provide you with a record of your pet’s shot history and any other documentation an airline, hotel or cruise ship might require.
