On the Fly Travel Tips
4 Legs & A Tail • Dec 07, 2011
Kate Hoehn
Traveling with your pet this winter? Here are some helpful tips to make your trip go a little smoother for you and your companion.
- When your pet travels, the kennel should clearly display your name, address, and phone number, as well as your pet’s name. Use arrows or other markings (Live Animal Stickers) indicating the top of the kennel, display labels on top and on at least one side with the words LIVE ANIMALS printed in 1 inch high letters. Include food and water dishes (both empty) secured inside the kennel and accessible from outside. Show a food and water schedule and, if any food is necessary, include an ample supply in a bag attached to the outside of the kennel. It’s best to line the crate with puppy pads, which will absorb any unexpected messes. The kennel should contain no more than one adult dog or cat, or no more than two puppies or kittens.
- USDA requires that your pet be offered food and water within four hours before check-in with the airline. Do not overfeed your pet at this time. A full stomach is not a good idea for a traveling pet.
- The crate must be sturdy, properly ventilated, and large enough that the animal may freely stand, sit, lie down, and turn around. Allow your pet to get used to the crate in the comfort of your home before your trip.
- Carry a leash with you on your trip so that you may walk your pet before check-in and after arrival. Do not keep the leash with the animal, either inside or attached to the outside of the kennel.
- Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer should be made by your veterinarian. If you believe some form of sedation might be helpful, be sure to obtain and follow a veterinarian’s advice.
- Check with your veterinarian to be sure that your pet is fit to travel and update any shots that your pet needs. In order to comply with the rules of most airlines, as well as the state and federal rules, you will need an Airline Veterinary Health Certificate, which must be obtained from your veterinarian within ten days of your trip.
- Whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight, and avoid holiday or weekend travel. Also, consider schedules that minimize temperature extremes. For example, try to avoid travel during excessively hot or cold periods. The USDA prohibits the shipment of animals where temperatures at either the origin or destination are below 45º or above 85º. Many airlines have further temperature-related restrictions.
- It’s recommended that your pet has a microchip for identification, especially if the animal is traveling internationally. Make sure you pet wears a collar with a current ID tag. You may also consider a collar tag with travel-specific information, such as your cell phone number, destination phone number, and any other relevant contact information.
- Tell the airline employees that you encounter, on the ground and in the air, that you are traveling with a pet. This way, they’ll be ready if any additional considerations or attention is needed.
- If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check on the animal whenever feasible. In certain situations, removing the animal from the cargo hold and deplaning may be warranted.
For any trip, no matter the means of travel, it is wise to locate the closest veterinarian to where you’ll be staying. It’s best to be prepared for the worst, and this includes becoming separated from your pet while away from home. To increase the chances of a safe and quick return, bring a recent photograph and written description of your pet including its name, breed, sex, age, any microchip or tattoo numbers, and a description of coat, color, and markings including unusual markings, scars, or other identifying marks, as well as weight and height.
The post On the Fly Travel Tips appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail .
8 Tips from a professional dog walker to help make Winter in New England your and fido's new favorite time of year!
Dogs can be very curious. This sometimes can get them into a stink of trouble. If your dog encounters a skunk, it is likely to get sprayed, if it insists on checking out this newly found creature. When a skunk is startled it will make a peculiar purring sound, sometimes growling. Before emitting its sulphuric […]
The post Help! My Dog’s Been Skunked!! appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
The post Shiloh, the Pupillon/Chihuahuu appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
By, Tim Hoehn A few days prior to Paws for a Caws Adopt-a-Thon in Barre, we found out that my elderly mother-in-law is in stage 4 with cancer. After her husband of 50+ passed away a couple of years ago, she was very lonely and decided to get a dog (which we encouraged.) However, we […]
The post A Small World appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
We are once again heading into fireworks and thunderstorm season and every day it seems I am asked what can be done about Muffy fears of loud noises: “My dog hides in a closet during storms.” “My dog tears up the house whenever there are fireworks.” “My dog sits in a corner, pees on the […]
The post Thunder, Fireworks and Other Scary Stuff appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
Jenn Grenier, Burlington Emergency Veterinary Specialists- Williston, VT It was a beautiful, summer day and I was out walking with my dog Shadow, soaking in as much Vitamin D as possible. All of a sudden, she came out of the bushes foaming at the mouth and franticly pawing at her face. She had what looked […]
The post The Prickly Porcupine appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM – Vermont Veterinary Medical Association During the hot summer months, both large and small animals can suffer unwanted attention from biting flies and mosquitoes. These flies are not only the typical “house flies” we see, but species such as black flies, deer flies, and horse flies. In many cases, the mosquitoes and flies prefer […]
The post What’s Bugging Our Animals?! appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
From Tears to Trauma Release – by Karen McCloud, HTAP, HTP My childhood dream was to become a Veterinarian, but in the early seventies I was told by my high school advisor, “it is a man’s business!” Being a shy girl at the time…I opted for an Equine Science degree, and followed my passion for horses […]
The post Healing Touch appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
Spring is here and with the warmer temperatures we also start to see many dogs that either are vomiting, have diarrhea or both. A few years ago I think I figured out why we seem to see this epidemic of GI problems in the spring. My theory is that all the birds, mice, chipmunks and […]
The post Keeping Your Pets Healthy This Spring appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
Bedford, NH (February 6, 2015) – 50 States/50 Shelters. That’s what the MuttNation Foundation’s initiative boasts, supporting one shelter in every state. “What a wonderful surprise to open the mail and find a grant check from Miranda Lambert’s foundation!” recalled Paula Mattis, the Animal Rescue League of NH’s President & CEO. Grammy-winning country singer/songwriter Miranda […]
The post Miranda Lambert’s Foundation Awards NH Animal Rescue appeared first on 4 Legs & A Tail.
Contact
10 Slayton Hill Road Suite 103
Lebanon, NH 03766
Main Doghouse: 603-727-9214
Main Fax: 603-678-8049
SEO and Design services provided by 4 Legs & A Tail. Privacy Policy.
The content of this website including but not limited to the images or any other marks are the property of their respective copyright owners and designers. All images and marks are used under license from their owners. Any copying or downloading without express written permission is a violation of copyright law and is prohibited.
Legal