The summer is in full swing, which means that vacations, either with a family, a loved one, or even alone, are also in full swing. And for a lot of families, everyone in the family gets to come on the trip – including the pet. This article will be a compilation of information on how to safely and successfully travel with your pet, including air and car travel, accommodations, and some tips and tricks. Travelling with pets will take some extra planning, but it will definitely be worth it once you’re done. Enjoy your travels and stay safe this summer!
FLYING
If you plan on flying to your vacation destination with a pet, here is a simple tip to help you out:
- Check out your designated airline’s website for specific information on the company’s pet policies while on board one of their flights. The rules may change slightly depending on the air travel company, so even if you’ve travelled with a pet before with a different company, it’s still important to check the website of the airline you’re flying with. It’s also very important to check if the airline you’re flying with allows pets onboard their aircrafts. For example, Sunwing does not allow travelling with pets that are not service dogs onboard their aircrafts.
And if you are flying with your pet this summer, please do be aware that flight is not always the best choice for your animal. Air travel can be particularly dangerous for animals with brachycephalic, or ‘pushed in’ faces, such as Persian cats or pugs. Due to the structure of their faces, their nasal passages are quite short, and the lack of air while flying can make them easy targets for issues such as oxygen deprivation and heat stroke.
DRIVING
If you are planning on taking a road trip, and travelling with pets, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind during your travels. Below is a short list of some things to keep in mind when travelling by car with a pet:
- Make sure to keep your cat in a carrier at all times – ensure a seat belt is securely holding the crate in place. This is to ensure your cat feels safe while in the car, due to the fact cats generally don’t feel comfortable in cars. The same rule applies to your dog; as much as your dog may enjoy being in the car, a crate is where they will be safest and the most secure during your journey.
- Ensure your pet is sitting somewhere other than the passengers seat in the front of the car. If an airbag deploys with your pet in the front seat, your pet will easily suffocate.
- Make sure your pet gets time to stretch its legs, use the washroom, and move around during your journey. This will make your trip slightly longer, but giving your pets rest stops along the way will help them feel safe, cared for and energized.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR WHEN YOU GET THERE
It is just as important to find a pet-friendly place to stay while on vacation, as it is to use pet-friendly tactics while getting to your destination. This step can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you have other accommodations to take care of, such as young children or someone with a physical disability, but once again, checking out the website of the place you’re staying, or even directly contacting them can help get rid of a lot of stress. Below are a few resources to also help alleviate the initial stress regarding this topic.
- http://www.petfriendly.ca/ – If you’re travelling somewhere in Canada with your pet this summer, this website is definitely for you. It’s a giant collection of all pet-friendly accommodations across Canada, including hotels, motels, resorts and cottages. Simply click on the province or territory you will be travelling to on the home page of the website, and you will find a myriad of accessible accommodations for any type of vacation.
http://www.bringfido.com/ – This website is a wonderful resource if you are travelling anywhere worldwide. The process is simple; you type in exactly what you need (the amount of people in your party, how many rooms you need and where you are travelling to, just to name a few), and the website will show you lots of accommodation options to choose from.
