Travelore Summer Pet Travel Tips

Summer is near and most schools are out. That means it is time for a family vacation! And a family trip would not be complete without your furry loved ones. Dr. Ruth, "The Pet Vet" shares some simple ways to ensure traveling with your pets isn't ruff.

@monkeydogJett

Do Your Homework

Make sure your destination is pet friendly. For example, if you were planning to bring the family pooch to Yosemite to enjoy the great outdoors, you would be disappointed to learn that dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails. Check ahead of time to avoid any last-minute surprises that could put a damper on your trip.

Check to ensure your lodging accommodates pets. Not all hotels, campsites or VRBOs are pet friendly. Even those that allow pets may have restrictions on the number of pets, size limits, or whether they can be left alone in a hotel room.

Be Sure Your Pet is Travel Ready

Before embarking on your adventure, make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel. Take your pet to a veterinarian to ensure that your pet is healthy, up to date with immunizations, and parasite preventatives. If you are traveling out of state or by plane, you will also need a health certificate. I also recommend getting a copy of your pet's vaccination record. If your pet gets anxious when traveling, speak with your veterinarian about products and medications that can help keep them calm.

Packing for Your Pet

Depending on your mode of travel your needs will differ. If you are traveling by plane, you will need an airline-approved carrier and health certificate. If you have a small dog and are traveling by car, you may want to get a booster seat for your pup. My dog Jett loves his K&H bucket booster seat. He likes looking out the window and I love the peace of mind knowing that he is safe and secure. If you have a large dog, you may want to get a travel safety barrier to keep them in the back and prevent driver distraction.

Be sure to pack your pet's food (enough for the whole trip), treats and of course food and water bowls. Don't forget to bring their collar with I.D. tags and a leash. If you have the space, bring your pet's bed, and a few of their favorite toys. Finally, bring their health certificate, vaccine records and any medications your pet needs.

Travel Preparation

Before going on a long road trip with your pet, get them used to riding in a car. Start by taking them on frequent, short car trips. Use lots of praise and treats to make the experience positive. My dogs love Wellness® Old Mother Hubbard® Wholesome Indulgences Treats and now expect them after every car ride! If you are traveling by plane, get your pet used to their carrier beforehand by putting treats inside and leaving it open for your pet to explore on their own. If you are travelling with your cat, Wellness® Lickable Treats are a great way to make the experience positive.

Safety Reminders

Be sure your pet has a microchip and your contact information is up to date. Collars with tags are important but are not foolproof and can fall off. Finally, it goes without saying, never leave your pet unattended in a car as they can overheat and die within minutes.

Conclusion

Traveling with your pet requires some additional planning, but it is worth it and will give you and your family some priceless memories.

For more about pet health or some pet-friendly ideas go to: https://drruthpetvet.com/

Travelore Tips: Puerto Rico Implements New Pet Entry Rules—Effective Immediately

Puerto Rico has implemented several significant changes to its pet import rules. Pet parents should carefully review the new rules because they apply to all dogs and cats. Pet parents will be charged to return dogs and cats to the U.S. that have not met regulations, advised Air Animal Pet Movers®.

Under the new rules, pet owners must arrange for a U.S. accredited veterinarian to examine their pets and issue an interstate health certificate. According to Walter M. Woolf, founding veterinarian of Air Animal Pet Movers, "Not all veterinarians hold USDA accreditation. Setting up a veterinary appointment for a pet can be tough without guidance from the pet's regular veterinarian or an experienced pet shipper."

Air Animal Pet Movers has updated its Puerto Rico Resource page on airanimal.com to assist pet parents. Air Animal Pet Movers specializes in dealing with the details of transporting dogs or cats between the United States and Puerto Rico.

Steps for entry:

1. Microchip the pet for identification.

2. Ensure the rabies vaccination was administered no more than 6 months before entry. This rabies certificate must accompany the pet.

3. Book an appointment with an accredited United States veterinarian to obtain the interstate health certificate. The appointment must take place no more than 72 hours before arrival in Puerto Rico. USDA endorsement is not required.

4. Ensure the pet has received an external parasite treatment no more than 72 hours before entry. The veterinarian must record the treatment on the health certificate.

5. Dogs should receive the following vaccinations: DA2PPL/DAPPL (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis). Cats should receive FVRCP (feline rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, and panleukopenia) vaccinations.

6. Different regulations apply for birds, exotic pets and all pets from other countries.

"Pet parents should always register with a local veterinarian in their new locale to keep their pets' rabies vaccinations up to date. Veterinarians typically send reminder notices when vaccinations are due. If another move is in their future, they will be ready," Woolf added.

About Air Animal

Air Animal has helped more than 55,000 families move their 135,000 furry, feathered and scaly pets around the globe since 1977. They welcome pet move authorizations and referrals from major corporations, relocation management agencies, household goods movers, veterinarians, families, U.S. military and government transferees. Get the best in animal care and transportation. Air Animal is an appointed and endorsed IATA air cargo sales agency working with all airlines that move animals. They are an Indirect Air Carrier cleared for tendering live animals to airlines by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration.

For more information on Pet Moving Made Easy®, visit airanimal.com.

Travelore News: Delta Changes Policy To Prevent Pet Deaths On Flights

IMAGE: GETTY IMAGES

BY CAILEY RIZZO1 HOUR AGO

In an effort to make itself more pet-friendly, Delta is stopping one of the most dangerous methods of flying for pets: As checked baggage.

According to the Department of Transportation, a total of 76 animals died aboard Delta flights over the past 10 years — the highest of any U.S. airline.

The last reported death happened on Nov. 28. Somewhere between Atlanta and Pittsburgh, a Mini Dalmatian puppy died in the cargo hold of a Delta flight. The puppy was flying from Albany, Georgia: After a three-hour layover in Atlanta, it was loaded onto the Pittsburgh-bound flight. When gate crew unloaded the plane, they found the puppy was unresponsive.

SEE ALSO: A pilot diverted an international flight to save a dog traveling in cargo

This most recent death of a checked pet on a Delta flight will be the last, if the airline can help it. Delta will no longer carry pets as checked baggage starting March 1.

The airline will still allow pets to be transported in the cabin, if they are small enough to fit in a carrier under a seat, or shipped via Delta Cargo's pet shipping Variation Live program. 

The Humane Society recommends that pet owners "do not transport your pet by airplane unless absolutely necessary," and to choose keeping the pet in the cabin if possible.

"We want consumers to be well-informed about the risks of flying," KC Theisen, director of pet care issues at The Humane Society of the United States, told Mashable. "Cargo hold is not the passenger cabin, just a floor down."

"Cargo hold is not the passenger cabin, just a floor down."

Cargo is where the majority of animal incidents happen, usually on long distance flights or flights with several different legs, Theisen said.

Brachycephalic, or short-snouted, animals, like bulldogs, pugs or Persian cats should never be shipped in cargo, according to the Humane Society. These animals can easily overheat or have difficulty breathing in environments that are not temperature controlled. For this reason, many airlines will only allow these breeds as carry-ons. 

The steps that pet owners should take before travel:

1. Crate train: It's important to crate train pets well before travel, Theisen said. By mimicking travel conditions and building up the amount of time a pet stays crated, owners normalize the experience and help pets understand that they will eventually be let out. 
2. Talk to the airline: For those about to fly with a pet, the best thing to do is get "in serious contact with the airline well in advance," according to Theisen. Because every airline has different regulations, it's important to find out well in advance what options are available:

• American Airlines permits pets as carry-ons, cargo or checked luggage — excluding brachycephalic dogs and cats, which are not allowed as checked luggage. 
• Both JetBlue and Southwest Airlines will accept cats and dogs as carry-ons only, for a $95 to $100 fee. 
• United allows cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds in the cabin, in addition to carry-on luggage, for $125. Certain United aircraft come equipped with special "PetSafe" compartments that are pressurized like the passenger cabin, for transporting pets in cargo.
• Alaska Airlines will transport pets as cargo or as a carry-on for $100. Brachycephalic are not allowed for cargo travel.

Talk to your vet: Theisen recommends talking to a veterinarian as soon as travel plans are made to get recommendations for a food and water schedule. A veterinarian can tailor advice to specific breeds and help make the experience low-stress, important for both pets and their owners.

"The vast majority of pets arrive safely and in good health, but it's important that pet owners are aware of the risks," Theisen said. "The best thing you can do is just protect against risk and take preventative measures."

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Pets Get Their Own Cabins On American Airlines

airlines welcome small pets, tucked away in their carriers and sharing your legroom, but American Airlines is venturing a step further with a first-of-its-kind "pet cabin."

Flying with your pet is about to get somewhat less stressful: American Airlines has just announced the creation of pet cabins, where pet owners may easily secure a carrier, with a pup or cat inside, for a more comfortable transcontinental flight.

There are two cabins per plane in first class only, each accommodating one four-legged flyer, on select flights between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX), and JFK and San Francisco (SFO). Though your dog might not get peanuts or free movies, having a cabin all to himself means that he won't have to sit next to a guy who won't stop talking, so it's a pretty good deal.

Each cabin is large enough to comfortably accommodate a carrier, to a maximum of 19 by 13 by nine inches if hard-sided, or a little larger if soft-sided. AA's official page on pet travel has more information regarding restrictions on breeds, weights, and other guidelines. Things that are not included: blankies, your cat's favorite toy, and doggie Xanax. You also can't bring any snakes on the plane. (Yet.)

American Airlines

Written by Cynthia Drescher, www.cntraveler.com