Traveling With Your Dog? These are the Documents You’ll Need
Pets light up our lives, so it makes sense why you would want to take your pet everywhere you go—even on vacation!
But traveling with a pet, such as a dog, can be hectic. Without proper planning, you risk accidents, injuries, missed flights, and more. You also risk run-ins with the law if you lack proper documentation. Don’t worry though — if you do your homework, traveling with your pet can be relatively easy.
The Basics: What to Bring For Your Pet When Traveling
Animals are happy when they’re comfortable and occupied. By bringing a carrier, you keep your pet safe and secure, and make it easier to transport them. You can and should also bring toys, and the necessary items for cleaning up after bathroom trips.
When it comes to feeding, leave some time between departure and their last meal. Otherwise, your pet might experience diarrhea, and nausea due to motion sickness. Although you should space meals when traveling, ensure your furry friend is hydrated, above all. Since animals can pace their water intake, bring a bowl for them to drink as often as possible. You should offer them water regularly.
It goes without saying, too, but make sure pets are welcome where you are staying, be it at a hotel, or with a family member. Review animal policies before checking in at hotels. While some establishments allow pets, they have different rates for animal owners. Hotels might also restrict certain pets and breeds.
If you’re going camping, ensure the location is pet-friendly. However, clean up pet messes and follow leash requirements to keep other campers, and your pet, safe. Though you can bring a first aid kit for minor issues, look for veterinarians at your destination before leaving home. This way, you have someone to treat urgent medical conditions should they occur.
And be wary of local wildlife, and the weather, too!
Traveling Domestically With a Pet: What You Need
Traveling within the U.S. with a pet will probably be less difficult than an international trip, but you still need the right paperwork. Although requirements vary from state to state, here’s what you need when traveling domestically:
Health certificate: An accredited veterinarian signs this document confirming your animal is free of contagious diseases. Most airlines only recognize certificates issued within 10 days of departure. Likewise, traveling pets should be at least eight weeks old. Although health certificates aren’t necessary when moving inside your state, inform your vet of the trip to discuss any travel precautions.
Medical records: It’s not enough to obtain a health certificate, you also need the animal’s medical records as a reference during emergencies. If there is an emergency, a vet will need as much information as possible about past visits, procedures, and medications.
Identification tag: A tag with your name, address, and contact details allows good samaritans to return your lost pet. You can bring multiple tags for replacement in case you lose a label on your trip. This goes together with microchipping your pet. Since it stays beneath the skin, a microchip provides secondary identification when tags fall off.
Traveling Internationally With a Pet
You need the following documents when traveling internationally with your animal:
Pet passport: This document accompanies your furry friend to EU countries. It’s issued by EU veterinarians to cats, ferrets, and dogs and contains the animal’s ownership, identification, and health information.
International health certificate: It’s issued by a USDA-approved veterinarian after administering the treatments, lab tests, and inspections required by the destination country.
Blood titer tests: This test confirms your pet is disease-free by testing for antibodies. Some countries might also demand additional parasite and infectious disease tests.
Vaccinations: On-schedule vaccinations are required in most countries.
Government officials may ask for pet documents at various checkpoints. As such, make copies in case some get lost or left behind. You could either keep virtual records or carry printed copies, too. Additionally, confirm whether your airline requires additional paperwork. In addition to health certificates, airlines may provide their own forms for you to fill out, too.
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