Travel Tips
For Jaunting or Jet-Setting Pets, ASPCA Offers Travel Tips Just in Time for Vacation Season
NEW YORK—The bags are packed and you’re ready to go, but do you have everything on Rover or Princess Kitty’s list? This summer, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) reminds pet parents about necessary safety tips that will ensure your pet’s traveling experience, whether by plane, train or automobile, is pleasant and secure.
“It’s no longer a luxury to invite your favorite four-legged friend on a trip to the beach or other family outings,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “And that’s all the more reason families should take precautions to ensure that their pet’s travel is trouble-free.”
As you make your travel plans, take the time to prepare your pet for the trip. Start with a visit to your veterinarian to ensure that your pet is up-to-date on all vaccinations, and that you have any medications you might need such as flea/tick prevention and heart-worm medication. Ask your veterinarian about any particular parasites or health risks that might be associated with your planned destination.
The ASPCA recommends these tips for animal lovers travelling with their furry companions this summer:
For smooth air travel with your pet:
• State your name for the record. Your pet should always wear a collar and identification tag that clearly states an address or phone number where you can be reached. Additionally, you should clearly put a current photograph on your pet’s carrier and clearly write the name, address, and telephone number of the person receiving him at your destination.
• Handle with care. Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate—it should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. These crates can be purchased from many pet supply stores as well as individual airlines. Also, write “Live Animal” in large letters on at least two sides of the crate, and use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. HANDY TIP: Check with the airline to determine whether small animals can remain with you in the cabin.
• Keep it short and direct. Decrease your pet’s chances of being left on a tarmac or outside during extreme weather conditions by booking a direct flight whenever possible. HANDY TIP: The night before you leave, freeze a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can’t spill during loading, and will melt by the time he or she’s thirsty.
For smooth road trips with your pet:
• A seat for a King. Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. Again, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. If your dog will be riding on the seat, outfit them with a harness and safety belt to keep them secure in case of sudden stops or changes in direction. Cats should ALWAYS be in a carrier. HANDY TIP: If you give your pet time to get used to the carrier beforehand, he or she will be much more comfortable travelling in it.
• Keep them cool even when it’s hot. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle! On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. And don’t forget about water! Bring along plenty of your own bottled water or tap water from home stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water they’re not used to could result in stomach upset for your pets.
• California here I come! Bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination records, as some states requires this proof at certain interstate crossings. It’s always wise to make sure your pet has an ID collar with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number, and any other relevant contact information.
In addition to the above tips, the ASPCA offers many safe travel products for pets at its online store, including anti-spill travel bowls, car safety seats, car safety harnesses, first aid kits and car travel ID tags, among others.
“The increase in products specifically geared for pet travel and safety has made the experience that much easier for pet parents,” said Sayres.
For more information on how to keep your pets safe & happy this summer, please visit www.aspca.org. For ASPCA travel product information, visit www.aspca.org/shop
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first humane organization established in the Americas, and today has more than one million supporters throughout North America. A 501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in animal-assisted therapy, animal behavior, animal poison control, anti-cruelty, humane education, legislative services, and shelter outreach. The New York City headquarters houses a full-service, accredited, animal hospital, adoption center, and mobile clinic outreach program. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York’s animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org.
Provided by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org