Travelling with your pet can make a trip or holiday special. For some pet owners, a trip’s no fun if the furry members of the family can’t come. But traveling can be highly stressful, both for you and your pets. With a little bit of careful preparation, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone.
Useful tips:
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Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. It’s smart to get your pet used to the carrier in the comfort of your home before your trip. This can be achieved by leaving the carrier open the house so that they can explore and sniff without feeling threatened.
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Try and prepare your pet for a long trip by taking them on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won’t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure. Don’t feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle-even if it is a long drive.
Travelling with your pet
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Don't allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. He could be injured by flying objects. And please keep him in the back seat in his crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle.
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Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked vehicle can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
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Stop frequently, about every 2-3 hours for toilet breaks.
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Travelling Abroad? Make sure you have all relevant documentation in advance of travelling. You will need to ensure that your pet:
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Is fully vaccinated and clear of Rabies, at least 21 days before travel.
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An Animal Health Certificate has been provided by an authorised veterinary surgeon, this must be booked as an appointment (within 10 days of travel) so that your vet can check your pet is healthy to travel. Your pet will be unable to travel abroad without a passport or a valid AHC.
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An Animal Health Certificate normally includes details of:
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Pet owner’s details
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Your pet’s description
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Rabies vaccination details (your animal will need to have been vaccinated at least three weeks prior to the AHC appointment and have had a UK Rabies vaccine within the past three years)
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Rabies blood test (as required)
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Canine tapeworm treatment (as required)
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Intended country of entry into the EU. (The AHC has to be issued in the language of the country in which you are entering the EU and NOT your country of destination)
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AHC's can only be used for ONE return trip. They cannot be used multiple times. AS new AHC will need to be issued if travelling again.
For more details on taking your pet abroad visit:
https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/getting-an-animal-health-certificate
Travel Kit
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Fresh water and food sufficient for whole trip
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Favourite Toys
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Carrier
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Lead/Harness
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Comfortable bedding/towels
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Travel Documents/Passport/Animal Health Certificate/Vaccination records
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Poop bags
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Collar with up to date id tag