Travel with Fido

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Let’s face it, our furry family members are just that, family members.  So what do you do with your pet when the family wants to go on a vacation?  More and more people are opting to take their furry family members with them.  This does not mean that you are relegated to a road trip.  Here are some helpful tips for traveling with your furry loved ones.

 

Be Prepared:  Traveling with a pet is all in the preparation.  If you are flying, there are several things to be aware of.  Check with the airline regarding their rules and regulations to bringing Fido along for the family vacation.  For example:  Did you know that on some airlines you have to pay to have your pet in the cabin with you?  Even though your furry friend will be in a carrier (must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you) you may be required to pay an additional fee.  Airlines can also restrict the number of pets that can be in the cabin on a given flight.  For Southwest Airlines the maximum number of pets that can be in the cabin is 6.  Don't ask me how they came up with that number.  That number seems rather random to me.  The important thing is to know before you go.  Larger pets will have to ride in the cargo compartment with the luggage.  In this case, you will want to ensure that you have non-stop flights whenever possible.

 

Do Your Homework:  Not every pet, as much as we love them, is a good candidate for traveling with the family on a vacation.  Most pets that are comfortable around strangers and other animals will be fine on a family vacation.  If your pet is nervous and doesn’t like a change in the schedule, routine, or surroundings, then they might be better off staying at home with a loving caregiver.  The important thing is to know your pet and how they will handle strange situations.  You will also want to ensure that your pet is trained well enough that in a new situation they don’t forget their housetraining.  Accidents are no fun for anyone.

 

Plan Ahead:  Know what the requirements are for your destination.  Some countries have a quarantine period for animals before you can bring them in.  Some states require vaccinations to be up-to-date for several months after your travel is completed.  Hotels may charge an additional pet fee either by day or by the visit.  The important thing is to plan ahead so that none of this comes as a surprise and you are in compliance with their regulations.  If the quarantine period is longer than you vacation, you might have to re-think taking Fido with you.  There are websites that will tell you which hotels are most pet-friendly. 

 

Take advantage of all the resources at your disposal to ensure that your next vacation includes the entire family.  Don’t have time to do all the research yourself?  Great!  Call your friendly travel agent and they can plan out all the details for you.