Sometime things happen and you need to leave right away. If you have pets, this can cause a major problem. What if no one is available to watch your pet? If you don’t want to leave you pet at a shady kennel where most dogs are kept in cages, you can simply take them with you; it’s easier than you would ever imagine.
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Traveling With Pets
Most airlines allow pets. Some airlines even allow your pet to be carried onto the plain if it is small enough to put into a kennel that will easily slide under the seat in front of you. If the dog is too large, it will be kept in cargo which is temperature and pressure regulated just like the passenger area. It is imperative to make sure that your airline will make accommodations for your pet as there are a few discount airlines that will not. Especially if you buy your airline tickets online, call ahead to verify their policies.
Each airline that accepts pets will ask you to make reservations for you pet ahead of time because they can only carry so many pets each trip. It is important to make these reservations as soon as possible to ensure your pet’s seat on the flight. Pets also require health certificates to fly. You can purchase one from your vet, but they only last for 10 days. If your voyage is longer, you will need to purchase another for the trip home.
As mentioned before, your pet will need a kennel/carrier. These can be purchased usually for very cheap at your local pet store. They come with padded inside walls and in various sizes from extra small to extra large depending on your needs. You will have to be careful with your kennel purchase as there are some carriers that aren’t approved for airline travel and some that are. Be sure to ask the pet store workers for help if you need it.
There is no need to tranquilize your pet, either. Air travel will put your pet to sleep just like it does you. The only thing that may aid your pet in travel is to crate train it. Otherwise, everything will be fine! Have fun traveling with your pet!
Cats belong in carriers
Most cats aren’t comfortable traveling in cars, so for their safety as well as yours, keep them in a carrier. It’s important to restrain these carriers in the car so that they don’t bounce around and hurt your cat. Do this by securing a seat belt around the front of the carrier.
Leave the front seat for humans
Keep your pet in the back seat of the car. If an airbag deploys while your pet is in the passenger seat (even in a crate), it might injure your pet.
Keep those heads inside!
Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Give your pet plenty of rest stops
Stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and eliminate. But never permit your pet to leave the car without a collar, ID tag and leash.
Bring along a human buddy
Whenever possible, share the driving and pet care-taking duties with a friend or family member. You’ll be able to get food or use the facilities at rest stops knowing that someone you trust is keeping a close eye on your pets.
Don’t ever leave your pet alone in a car
A quick pit stop may feel like no time at all to you, but it’s too long to leave your pet alone in a car. Heat is a serious hazard: when it’s 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 116 degrees within an hour. On an 85-degree day, even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside your car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes. Even if you’re certain of your timing, you can get held up — in just 30 minutes, you could return to a 120 degree car and a pet suffering irreversible organ damage or death.