Traveling With Pets

If you ask me a meal out shared with your pet is all the more enjoyable, so the same should go for travel.

I'm a firm believer that all the best experiences in life are made better by sharing them with your pets.   I feel the same way about vacations and travel, if it can't involve my pets then I am not interested.  Thankfully, as dogs and cats positions as family members becomes more established in our society traveling with pets is getting easier.  That is why I am so happy to be able to share this article from Priority One Jets on staying safe while traveling with your pets.   It has great advice on airplane travel and international travel.

Baby Weasley traveled by air from Tonawanda, New York to our home in Jersey City, New Jersey. It was a very short flight and likely much more comfortable for him then a long care ride would have been.

I have never traveled internationally with my pets but I have had a puppy, Weasley, shipped by air with no problems.  I would certainly consider taking one or two of my smaller dogs along on a plane trip as long as they could fly in the cabin, which is generally possible with proper carriers on most air lines.

I have taken several local car trips with my dogs and I regularly travel with my small dogs on the New York Subway and New Jersey Path train system.   


From my experience with local pet travel I'd say there are a few absolutely essential rules to follow.

1) Vacinations/Medical Records-I tend to avoid vacinations with my adult dogs and prefer to rely on titer testing since I believe over vacinating is unhealthy.  However, many hotels and doggie day cares require proof of vacination, not just titers.  I would recommend calling all hotels, daycares, boarding facilities and any other place you will be visiting with your dog to find  out what proofs of  vacination they require and if they will accept titer testing.  I was able to have a letter from my vet and copies of my dogs titer test serve at one out of town day care my dog visited.

2) Proper Restraints-When traveling with dogs in a car, seatbelts are an essential.   I use smaller car restraints from pet smart for my pugs, but for my large dogs Bob and Norbert I found a more accurate fit was important.   I think the best seatbelts are from the Ruff Rider Roadies available online.  These seatbelts are every bit as high quality as those made for people and they offer complete restraint.

3) Proper Carriers-When traveling by Subway and path train with my pugs I generally use a doggie stroller.  When Weasley was a puppy I used a travel bag, however for all but very small dogs I find the stroller more comfortable for dog and human.  

 Its important to make sure that any stroller you use zips completely shut as that is a requirement on most public transit.   It is also a good idea to avoid rush hour and to check what the specific pet rules are in your area.

4) Identification-A double sit of identification tags on your dogs collar and leash are another must.  While traveling with your pet I would make sure they are wearing ID at all times.    



Current photos of your pet are another must.

5) Have a Back Up Plan-Every time I've traveled over night with my dogs we have stayed in the home of friends or family.   Luckily this has always worked out for us.  I do think it is important to realize though, that not everyone is going to be as dog crazy as you are.  Unless you know the people you are visiting are dog nuts have a back up plan for occupying your dog if you have to spend the day apart, maybe a day spent at a local doggie day care or grooming spa.  Also its a good idea to know of a few pet friendly hotels in the area in case their is a problem with resident pets or another issue that requires you to stay in a hotel.   

I'm hoping that as the years pass and hopefully my bank account grows I will be able to spend more time traveling with my pets.