| While on vacation, most people arrange for their | | | | Microchip procedures are harmless, fast and |
| pets to stay at home and have friend or family | | | | inexpensive. |
| member take care of the animal. Others, who do | | | | Don't forget to notify the airline, bus, or train |
| not have this option, take to alternatives such as | | | | company if a Seeing Eye dog is accompanying |
| a boarding kennel or a professional pet sitter. | | | | you. This is because dogs other than Seeing Eye |
| There are several things that you must take into | | | | dogs accompanying blind persons are not allowed |
| consideration before heading out of town! | | | | on buses and trains. |
| Take out some time to think about whether your | | | | If you're traveling by air, make sure that you've |
| pet is physically capable of traveling. If you are | | | | made all reservations and arrangements regarding |
| not sure, ask the veterinarian. Let your | | | | delivery and pickup from the airport upfront. Rules |
| veterinarian know where you're going and for | | | | vary from airline toairlines Follow airline instructions |
| how long and how you'll be traveling. This will help | | | | and check the airline's requirements for carrying |
| prevent health risks like flea, heartworm, or tick | | | | pets. If you're taking along smaller pets like birds, |
| risks for places you will be traveling. Also, it's | | | | hamsters and tropical fish, consider transporting |
| important to ensure that all vaccinations are | | | | them by air express. You can obtain shipping |
| updated, besides obtaining current health and | | | | containers from airline freight departments, pet |
| rabies certificates not earlier than ten days prior | | | | stores and department stores as well. If you're |
| to your date of travel. You'll need this in case | | | | carrying tropical fish, have it packed by a local |
| your pet is flying. | | | | specialist pet shop. |
| If it's the first time that you're traveling with your | | | | Again, it's important to make your pet |
| pet, it's worthwhile to take a short test trip. This | | | | comfortable with the new environment. If you're |
| will help you know if your pet gets carsick or | | | | obtaining a shipping container, have it a few days |
| restless while traveling, and obtain proper | | | | in advance so that you have time to get your |
| medications from your veterinarian. Also, when | | | | pet familiar with the container. Start with placing |
| traveling make sure that you have your pets' | | | | your pet in the container for a few minutes each |
| favorite toys, food and leash with you. This way, | | | | day and steadily stretch the time until the pet is |
| the pet will feel more comfortable at the new | | | | at ease. |
| destination. Make sure that you use your leash | | | | When traveling by air, feed your pet at least five |
| when taking the pet outside, as the pets can | | | | to six hours before flight time, and give water |
| sometimes get nervous in a new place and try to | | | | two hours before flights. This will prevent hunger |
| run. | | | | or thirst during the trip. Also, get the pet to the |
| While at your destination, your pet should always | | | | air terminal on time. You should get there 45 |
| sport a special identification tag apart from the | | | | minutes in advance of your flight time if the pet is |
| normal one. Be sure to mark this tag with the | | | | accompanying you, and two hours in advance if |
| pet's name, your name, the person to make | | | | you're shipping the pet. Upon arrival, you can |
| contact with at the destination, the person's | | | | usually pick your pet within 90 minutes from the |
| phone number, and a destination address. This will | | | | destination airport. Don't lose your air waybill |
| help you get in touch with the pet in case it's | | | | number as it is required when making inquires. |
| separated. A foolproof way is to have the pet | | | | It's a difference experience altogether when your |
| micro-chipped. Animal clinics, humane societies, | | | | darling pet is at your side while on vacation. After |
| kennels, and shelters all over use scanners that | | | | all, for those who are passionate about their pets, |
| can read the implanted chips. This will help you | | | | getting there with the animal is half the fun! |
| reunite with your lost pet. Here's good news! | | | | |