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THERE is a
saying, there are two classes of travel: first class, and with children. This
week, SPCA would like to highlight the third aspect of travel: with your pet.
What can you do to make sure your beloved pets are safe and happy when you need
to travel, whether it is just to balik kampung or to go abroad?
The obvious way to ensure your pet is safe is to take it with you. But how does
it work?
Caring properly for your pets while on the move isn’t overly-complicated, but it
does take a lot of planning. Here are some tips on what to do when movers, hotel
and airline personnel do not share your affection for pets.
The first step
is to make a solid moving schedule and stick to it. Once you have a plan, call
the vet and schedule an appointment as soon as you can.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Tell your vet you are moving. Ask your vet to
recommend another vet at your next destination.
If your pet has a condition that might be further affected by travel, you should
consult your current vet about the proper treatment.
If your pets are due for shots, now is a good time to get them. It may take you
a while to find a new vet and you may need to have updated shot records for
future reference.
It is highly important to get copies of vet records and vaccination
certificates. You may need to show these documents while traveling.
Make sure your pets get the necessary vaccination shots for airplane travel.
Even if you don’t normally board your pet, you should consider these vaccines in
case something happens during your move. Be specific and ask your vet if there
is anything else that might be requested.
Take time to consider if moving your pet is in the best interest of the pet or
if you should find it a new home in your old town. Make sure your pet will be
physically able to tolerate a move. A particularly old dog with arthritis may
not tolerate a move to a colder climate or the high altitude of planes.
Traveling with fish may also be disastrous.
The process of
transporting a pet between countries is often expensive and stressful. You have
to consider the export laws of the country you are leaving and the import laws
of the country you will be arriving at.
Different procedures and requirements are necessary for pets traveling without
their owners. These may include hiring a professional animal-moving service. Be
aware that international transporting of animals requires proper paperwork and
health certificates. If your pet does not have the correct paperwork, it will be
returned to its country of origin or euthanized.
If you are
traveling long distances, and will be exposing your pet to a means of
transportation they’ve never experienced before, you should ask your vet for a
sedative. |
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Animals
FIRST: Keep your pet and your car clean and happy. |
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Right
size: Be sure transportation carriers are suitable and humane. |
If your pet is
traveling in the cargo area of an airplane, avoid sedatives. Most are quite mild
and won’t really knock the pet out but will certainly take the edge off of their
fear or stress. But sedatives would be helpful if you have a pet that you know
doesn’t travel well, is cage-aggressive or could bite the movers.
Make sure you understand how to give proper dosages. Some sedatives can cause
your pets to become thirsty so please make sure they have access to plenty of
water.
It is recommended that your dogs be groomed the week you leave. They will smell
clean, their nails will be trimmed so as not to ruin your car’s interior and you
won’t be taking a dirty dog into a new home.
Consider having long-haired dogs shaved or trimmed. You may also want to give
your cats a good brushing, since animals tend to shed a lot when they are
stressed.
To minimize the stress in transporting your pet, it is crucial to map out the
driving route and note the places where you can stop for food and exercise. This
will make sure that your pet gets what he needs and will also take a load off
you.
Make a list of things you will need for the ride. Put towels or sheets on your
seats if you are traveling with a carrier. This is to avoid potty accidents or
spillage since the carrier may sit at an odd angle on the car seat.
Allowing your pet to roam free in a car can be dangerous, and it is highly
distracting for the driver.
Keep your pet in the carrier or secured to a car riding seat. Try to attach your
pet carrier to the seat with the seat belt, this will prevent it from sliding
around.
Don’t let your dog hang its head out the window. It’s fun to watch but very
dangerous for your dog. It forces air and bacteria into the sinuses. Your dog
could jump out from the vehicle or get hurt. Remember, pets often do unusual
things because of the stress and confusion.
Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle as temperatures can become very hot
or cold. In your car, try not to leave the air-conditioning or radio on too high
or too loud. This may frighten your pet.
Also, never consider transporting your pet in the cargo hold of a truck. Items
may shift and fall on the carrier. A truck’s temperature is unregulated and it
is very unsafe, very loud and also cruel.
Spoil your pet during this stressful time of moving and transporting. Let them
sleep in bed, take them for walks, take time to play and feed them their
favorite food. It will improve their spirits on the actual traveling day.
Don’t let them out until you have reached your destination. Once you reach the
new place, set up a quiet area with food, water, litter box, toys and a bed.
Upon arrival at your destination, take time to play with your pet. Try playing
with your pet before you go to bed, in the morning before you leave, and
whenever you get a chance. Give them time to associate their new home with a
positive place. Go over the roaming area very carefully and make sure it is dog
or cat proof — no harmful items or chemicals lying around, the gates are closed,
the fences are secured and your pets can’t escape.
A good tip to stop a cat straying from your new residence is to put butter or
cream cheese on its paws; it will spend ages licking it off which will enable it
to get used to its surroundings. Your pet will be confused by the new
surroundings but have patience and understanding. Lastly, always carry a copy of
your pet’s photograph with you in case it escapes from you during travel.
As you can see, there are many steps to consider when traveling with your pets,
but it is the best way to keep them close to you. |
