Summer travel season will be in full swing soon, and we think trips are always more fun when we can bring our furry friends along. No matter where you’re headed, please be sure your pet is wearing an ID tag at all times. Here are some other tips to keep in mind when taking your pets traveling with you this summer:
- Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic, and soft-sided carriers available. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around in. And PS – it’s smart to get your pet used to the carrier in the comfort of your home before your trip.
- Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. Please be sure to always secure the crate so it won’t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
- Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure. Don’t feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle – even if it’s a long drive.
- 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. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
- What’s in your pet’s traveling kit? In addition to travel papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication, and a pet first-aid kit, pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity.
- Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wears a collar with a tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number, and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat (never choke!) collars.
- Don’t allow your pet to ride with their head outside the window. They could be injured by flying objects. Please keep them in the back seat in their crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle.
- Traveling across state lines? Bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states require th
is proof of at certain interstate crossings. While this generally inst a problem, it’s always smart to be on the safe side. - Bring drinking water from home stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from an area your pet isn’t used to could result in stomach issues for them later on.
- If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at auto product retailers.
SOURCE – SCRAPS release, June 2017
