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Pet Travel |
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Pet Travel Tips |
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| The following travel-related
information is used with permission from the United
States Humane Society. To see more of the
Humane Society's advice and recommendations on pets,
please visit:
www.hsus.org/pets/
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Please select a
Humane Society Pet Travel Topic:1)
Regarding pets traveling
by car
2) Regarding pets
traveling by air
3) Regarding pets
traveling by ship
4) Regarding pets
traveling by train |
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The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
has worked since 1954 to promote the protection of all
animals. The HSUS is the nation’s largest and most powerful
animal protection organization, working in the United States
and abroad to defend the interests of animals. |
|
Regarding pets traveling by car: return
to top
Dogs who enjoy car travel
need not be confined to a carrier if your vehicle has a
restraining harness to restrain the animal. Most pet supply
shops carry a wide range of doggie travel harnesses that
buckle into most standard seat belts to secure your dog
safely and securely.
Because most cats are not as comfortable traveling in cars,
for their own safety as well as yours, it is best to keep
them in a carrier. It is important to restrain these
carriers in the car so that they don't bounce around and
cause possible harm to the animal inside. It is best to do
this by taking a seat belt and securing it around over the
front of the carrier.
It is also a good idea to travel with your pet in the back
seat of the car (although, never in the bed of a pick up
truck!), because of the possibility of a front-seat
passenger side airbag deploying and causing possible harm to
your pet in an accident.
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 become ill from having
cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in
the back of an open pickup truck.
Stop frequently to allow your pet to exercise and eliminate.
Never permit your pet to leave the car without a collar, ID
tag, and leash.
Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car. On warm
days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120° in a
matter of minutes, even with the windows opened slightly.
Furthermore, an animal left alone in a car is an invitation
to pet thieves.
Regarding
pets traveling by air: return
to top If you must transport
your pet by air, your first decision is whether you can take
him or her on board with you, which is your best option. If
your pet is a cat or small dog, most airlines will allow you
to take the animal on board for an additional fee. To find
out about this option, call the airline well in advance of
your flight, because there are limits to the number of
animals allowed in the cabin area.
When you contact the airline, be sure to
find answers to these questions:
 | Does the airline allow you to take
your cat or small dog on board with you?
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| If that option isn't available to
you, does the airline have any restrictions on
transporting your pet as cargo?
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| Does the airline have any special pet
health and immunization requirements?
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| Does the airline require a specific
type of carrier? Most airlines will accept either
hard-sided carriers or soft-sided carriers, which may be
more comfortable for your pet, but only certain brands
of soft-sided carriers are acceptable to certain
airlines. |
If your pet must travel in the cargo hold,
you can increase the chances of a safe flight for your pet
by following these tips:
| Use direct flights. You will avoid
the mistakes that occur during airline transfers and
possible delays in getting your pet off the plane.
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| Always travel on the same flight as
your pet. Ask the airline if you can watch your pet
being loaded and unloaded into the cargo hold.
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| When you board the plane, notify the
captain and at least one flight attendant that your pet
is traveling in the cargo hold. If the captain knows
that pets are on board, he or she may take special
precautions.
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| Don't ever ship pug-nosed animals
such as Pekingese, Bulldogs, or Persians in the cargo
holds. These breeds have short nasal passages that leave
them especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and
heat stroke.
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| If traveling during the summer or
winter months, choose flights that will accommodate the
temperature extremes. Early morning or late evening
flights are better in the summer; afternoon flights are
better in the winter.
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| Fit your pet with a collar that can't
get caught in carrier doors. Affix two pieces of
identification on the collar-- a permanent ID with your
name and home address and telephone number, and a
temporary travel ID with the address and telephone
number where you or a contact person can be reached.
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| Affix a travel label to the carrier
with your name, permanent address and telephone number,
final destination, and where you or a contact person can
be reached as soon as the flight arrives.
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| Make sure that your pet's nails have
been clipped to protect against their hooking in the
carrier's door, holes, and other crevices.
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| Give your pet at least a month before
your flight to become familiar with the travel carrier.
This will minimize his or her stress during travel.
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| Do not give your pet tranquilizers
unless they are prescribed by your veterinarian. Make
sure your veterinarian understands that the prescription
is for air travel.
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| Do not feed your pet for four to six
hours prior to air travel. Small amounts of water can be
given before the trip. If possible, put ice cubes in the
water tray attached to the inside of your pet's kennel.
A full water bowl will only spill and cause discomfort.
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| Try not to fly with your pet during
busy travel times such as holidays and the summer. Your
pet is more likely to undergo rough handling during
hectic travel periods.
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| Carry a current photograph of your
pet. If your pet is lost during the trip, a photograph
will make it much easier for airline employees to search
effectively.
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| When you arrive at your destination,
open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place and
examine your pet. If anything seems wrong, take your pet
to a veterinarian immediately. Get the results of the
examination in writing, including the date and time. |
Do not hesitate to complain if you witness
the mishandling of an animal—either yours or someone
else's—at any airport.
Regarding pets traveling by ship:
return
to top
With the exception of
assistance dogs, only a few cruise lines accept pets—and
usually on ocean crossings only. Some lines permit pets in
private cabins, but mostly they are confined to kennels.
Contact cruise lines in advance to find out their policies
and which of their ships have kennel facilities. If you must
use the ship's kennel, make sure it is protected from the
elements.
Regarding pets traveling by train:
return to
top Amtrak currently does not
accept pets unless they are assistance dogs. (There may be
smaller U.S. railroad companies that permit animals on
board.) Many trains in European countries allow pets.
Generally, it is the passengers' responsibility to feed and
exercise their pets at station stops.
To ensure a smooth trip for you and your pet, follow the
general guidelines suggested for other modes of
transportation when planning to travel by ship or train.
(See above links)
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