With spring already here and summer rapidly approaching, many of us are in the process of making travel plans for our summer vacations. Is a trip to a new city in the works? Are you thinking about camping out in the wilderness in one of the country's many beautiful parks or recreation centers? Would it be more fun to visit with close friends or family who live nearby - or to stay at a friend's summer home in New England or a rustic cabin near a lake in the Rockies? Would it be a good idea to rent a beach home? It is an important decision as most of us have so little spare time to simply enjoy life and appreciate Nature and friends. When planning the vacation of our dreams, there are many factors to consider. Obviously, it is important to determine our time frame and budgetary parameters -as well as our accommodations and the mode of transportation that is most affordable especially in these harsh economic times. Careful forethought and planning are the keys to a delightful vacation for our favorite animal companion and us.
For many of us who are planning a getaway, there are many issues to be considered before we leave home. Those of us who have a family pet or pets consider the option of traveling with your furry family members or entrusting them to the care of a house or pet sitter. friend or neighbor or boarding facility- as we determine when and where to go for a fun time away from business as usual. Are we planning on traveling by car, bus or plane? Will we be staying at hotels/motels, the homes of friends or family, or perhaps camping out? Many of these decisions will depend on whether or not we decide to leave Fluffy and Fido at home or whether they share our vacation with us.
Once we have determined our travel destination and the duration of time we will be away from home, we can decide whether or not it is a good idea to take our pet with us. Is our pet accustomed to traveling with us? Has he been on an airplane or train or bus before? Is she accustomed to riding with us in our car? Will it be inconvenient, uncomfortable and/or awkward to take her with us? Will she be allowed and/or welcome at our vacation destination and at hotels/motels/lodging along the way to our destination and back? Do our anticipated accommodations accept/welcome pets? Will the friends/family members we are planning to visit welcome and feel comfortable around our pet? Will your pet feel at ease around them?
Will your pet travel easily and comfortably? If traveling by automobile, it is advisable to have a well-structured and secure travel carrier or crate in which to keep your pet in order to protect your pet from quick, sudden or abrupt stops, road hazards or accidents. The carrier/crate should be comfortable for our pet with plenty of room in which to move around. If we are driving, it is important to make frequent stops (at least every two hours) for an exercise and potty stop. Make sure you have plenty of cool water for your animal. If traveling in warm weather, make certain the heating and air-conditioning in your car are working well. Obviously, it is wise to have your car checked out by a mechanic you trust before undertaking a long trip to make certain it is functioning optimally. Make sure your animal is wearing a collar and license tag with his name and address, and phone number with area code on it. Having your animal microchipped is also a great idea should he ever be lost or stolen. Bring along a photo of your pet in case he is lost while vacationing. Bring along Fido's favorite and familiar toys, accessories and bowls, an extra leash, a blanket or quilt and any other of your pet's favorite possessions. Take along your pet's regular food, treats and medications.
It is also very important that your pet has all required vaccinations and an accurate and current health certificate. It is advisable to bring along her medical records as well.
For so many of us, our pets are not only our best friends and companions, but also true, loyal and beloved family members for whom we are responsible. If we are planning on traveling with them, we owe it to them to make our trip as stress-free, happy and comfortable as possible. Do your homework - make certain that you and your pets will be welcome, healthy and at ease wherever you are planning to stay!
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