Take the stress out of Dog Travel with these important tips.
If you’re planning a holiday, but can’t stand the idea of kenneling your dog, the good news is you don’t have to. These days more and more hotels, resorts and holiday rentals are offering dog friendly accommodation, making it easy for you to take your best friend along.
Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun but it requires careful planning and the right supplies.
Here are some important points for you to consider;
Dog Travel: Traveling by Car
If your traveling by car, your first priority is to make sure that your dog is secure within the vehicle.
Either use a travel crate or drop the back seat and section off the back using a dog grille. Alternatively, you could buy one of the special doggy seat belts for the back seat.
Schedule regular comfort stops to allow your dog some exercise, some water, and a toilet break.
And never leave a dog unattended in a car on a hot day. Dogs have a poor ability to control their temperature and could suffer potentially fatal heatstroke.
Dog Travel: Dog Safety at Your Destination
Always keep your dog on a leash when out and about. He is in a strange place with lots of interesting and exciting smells and sounds. It would be quite easy for him to wander off and become lost.
Remember to get him a cheap dog tag with your local details, just in case.
And find out the location and phone number of the local vet, in case of emergency.
Dog Travel: Activities with Your Dog
If you’re going to be hiking or camping you may want to get your dog a back pack so that he can carry his own supplies. Dogs love to work, so he’ll have no problem doing his bit.
Although dogs are excellent swimmers, make sure that your dog is fitted with a life jacket if you’re going to be boating in open water far from shore.
Make sure that you obey all local ordinances regarding dog control.
International Dog Travel
Forward planning is essential if you are taking your dog overseas.
The PETS scheme has made it easier for dogs to travel between certain countries provided the paperwork is in order.
If it isn’t your dog could be returned to its departure point, impounded or even euthanized. It is therefore strongly advised that you use a specialist Pet Travel company to make the arrangements.
Certain countries like the UK, Australia and New Zealand have strict pet quarantine laws in place for animals from countries not on the PETS scheme.
This includes 6 months compulsory kenneling in an approved Quarantine Kennel at the owner’s expense.
Dog Travel: Pets at Home
If your dog is not able to travel with you but you are reluctant to kennel him, there are other options.
You can either contact a pet-sitting agency who will look after your dog in your own home, or an agency that places your dog with an approved “foster” family for the duration of your holiday.
Whether you decide on this or prefer to take your dog with you, do your homework. Dog travel has become a lot easier, but it still requires forward planning.
