Organisation may not be your asset, yet with a few planning tricks, holidays with your pet friend can be the best experience ever. Here’s a quick guide that can help.
Get the right documents
Regardless of destination, your pet friend needs to be a fully-equipped traveler, thus, a ticket for your adventure starts with approved pet passport or/and a certificate showing that he or she is micro-chipped and vaccinated against rabies. Apart from the doggy passport, a collar with all the necessary information is another requirement, and given there is a behavior policy for all travelers, a training on how to behave accordingly in different travel scenarios and accommodation is a great advantage.
Choose the right destination
Once you make your dog is a potential worldwide traveler, searching for the right destination is the next task, and since there are two of you traveling now, look for pet-friendly locations and accommodation. Most countries have regulations on pet traveling documentation, however, not every hotel or hostel is equipped with services such as dog day care, or even a suitable area for your pet to play. Very often hotels charge a non-refundable deposit or a daily pet fee, while inns and B&B for dogs are even less equipped.
Research what is the best destination and location that will welcome both your pet friend and you.
Transporation
Although this is your dog’s first holiday, it is also your first time traveling with your pet, so you must make it comfortable and safe.
Driving with your pet is the most fun, yet there are numerous safety precautions to take: dogs are prone to motion sickness, for instance, so feeding your pet in the car is not an option. Dogs can also be very anxious and nervous in the car if they don’t get rid of pent-up energy.
While utterly the fastest way, air travel isn’t as safe as you might think. If this is, however, your only option, find an airline company that will allow you to travel with your pet in the cabin. If you don’t want to be surprised at the airport, contact airline companies and get information on regulations, limitations, health requirements, type of the carrier, possibilities to take your pet in the cargo, dangers of flying in the cargo, and more.
Traveling by boat is another option, yet pets are not always welcomed. Cruises have very strict policies – ocean crossing allows pets, only in kennels, and very few lines permit pets in private cabins. The owner is entirely responsible for the health and behavior of the pet, meaning your dog must be muzzled all the time. Therefore, double-check all polices and requirements before you make a decision.
For first-time travelers, transportation is the most important part of the preparation.
How to: Safety and Security for Your Pet
Whether you travel by car, plane or boat, your pet needs to be relaxed and safe
When traveling with your dog safety and security is your priority.
Planning is controlling any emergency or situation. A well-behaved dog is a perfect companion, and the more you are prepared, the better it will be – less stress, surprises and emergencies. If you, however, have doubts and fears, it is better to forget traveling with your pet entirely and simply find a good doggie daycare to give your pet a holiday of its own.
