Cats

Whenever your vacation or holiday travel plans involve taking an air flight with your pet, you are part of a growing trend that has been increasing over the last number of years. Here are some travel tips concerning flying on airlines with your pet when you are on vacations or holidays.

Most airlines, for a nominal fee, will allow your small pet to fly with you if it will fit in a FAA approved pet carrier that can be stowed under your seat. The following is some important information can help you keep your pet healthy, safe, and happy on airplane flights.

When booking a flight, it is a good idea to make reservations for yourself and your pet as early as possible. You must let the airline know that you want to bring your pet with you. It is very important to tell them, as they will only allow a limited number of pets on each flight. Some airlines do not allow pets at all, especially on international flights. Always confirm your flight the day before you leave on your trip. If you are traveling internationally you need to confirm your reservation seventy-two hours before you go.

Before you fly into the wide blue yonder with your furry travel companion, you need to take him or her to the vet for a checkup, to be sure he or she is healthy enough to travel. You will also have to take its health certificate with you, showing that your pet is up-to-date on all it’s vaccinations, including rabies. Your pet has to wear its current vaccination tag when traveling. As well, your pet must meet the health regulations of the country you will be traveling to. Take along a copy of your pet’s medical records listing its allergies, chronic medical conditions, and medications.

If you haven’t done this already, you should get your pet micro-chipped. That way, if your pet gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or vet, where its chip can be scanned, you both can be reunited. Keep in mind that your pet’s identification tag will have your home address and phone number on it. That won’t be of much help if your pet is lost while you are on vacation. It may be a good idea to get another tag made up with your destination address and phone number on it. What happens if you pet isn’t found until after you have returned from your vacation? It makes sense that you should leave both your home I.D. tag on your pet as well as attaching the new tag. That way you have all bases covered and stand a better chance of being reunited with your pet.

You should carry a photo of you pet with you when you’re traveling. It will help you prove that you are the rightful owner if any problems of ownership occur. Also, the photo can be used to make up flyers to post in the area where your pet was lost.

Flying with a pet that is too large to fit in a FAA approved pet carrier isn’t advisable as it will have to be stowed in the cargo hold. Putting your pet in the cargo hold can be very traumatic and dangerous to your pet’s health. It would make a lot more sense to leave your pet with friends, or a reliable pet sitting service when you’re on vacation.

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises against tranquilizing or sedating your pet when flying, particularly dogs. Dogs regulate the temperature of their bodies by panting, so if they are sedated, they may not be able to pant. If this should happen, it can leave them defenseless against any fluctuation of temperature and air pressure that occurs in the cargo holds of every flight. Keep in mind that pets don’t like flying, or being stuffed into a cramped kennel and left alone in a dark and desolate cargo compartment. It has to be terrifying for them.

There are many websites that have additional valuable information on traveling with your pet. Two wonderful sites are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at aspca.org, and the Department of Agriculture at aphis.usda.gov, which has an excellent article called, Traveling With Your Pet.

If you want a great travel carrier for your small pet, you may want to consider the popular, FAA approved pet carrier, Sherpa On Wheels. This Cadillac of pet carriers can be a luxurious and comfortable home for your pet while flying. It has the convenience of a front and top entry, mesh ventilation panels, recessed wheels, as well as a detachable pull handle and a shoulder strap. It is available on line at SherpaPet.com.

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