There are so many varied rules to follow when you have a travel pet with you. You should always check ahead to make sure the pet is welcome. Talk to the front desk of the establishment where you are staying at your destination. Most animals should be up to date on all their vaccinations and shots. Also required is a health physical by a veterinarian. Some foreign countries require an Import Permit for the animal as well. Some countries will also quarantine the animal to make sure it is safe to let in. The United Kingdom, at this writing, does not allow pets to be brought into the country. Hawaii is one state that requires a 120 day quarantine at the minimum because they are a rabies free state. You must enter the state through Honolulu if you bring an animal with you.
When a travel pet becomes a necessity for a trip, you can make sure to make their journey is a nice one. Have a crate or carrier ready for them to be carried in. Don't feed your pet for at least three to four hours before leaving on the trip. This will eliminate those upset stomachs some dogs and cats have. Always make sure to carry a deep dish so that the animal can have some drinking water during the trip. Never leave them in a hot car without rolling the windows down. After you arrive at your destination for the night, promptly feed your travel pet and have a leash ready so you can take him outside after his dinner. Include a first aid kit in your packing for the animal. Accidents can happen and it is great to have the gauze, ointment, scissors, and tape right at your disposal.
If flying to your destination, remember not to sedate your travel pet. Sedation and high altitudes can cause major problems and sickness. For pet friendly travel, always call ahead and be certain you know the airline's specific rules concerning bringing animals with you. This way, you know what to expect and there will be no surprises. Make sure you have the animal's leash or carry crate with you and remember to place identification tags on the carrier and the animal's collar. Make advanced reservations as some airlines will refuse to let the animal travel if they have way too many on the plane when you call.
When you select a carry crate for the trip, there are a couple of items to be sure that you measure. One is the length of the animal from nose to the beginning of his tail. The second is the length across his shoulders. The final item is how tall he stands from the ground to the highest point on his body. The crate is selected if the animal can stand, turn around, lie down, or sit comfortably. If he can't, you probably have too small a crate and need to go larger.
Another good thing to check when you find a pet friendly property is any fees included in your bill for bringing an animal with you. Some people don't check ahead and discover they are paying upwards of twenty five to thirty dollars extra a night for a pet to stay there as well. Some of the more expensive hotels may include treats, a special bed, and colorful bowls for them to eat their dinner. These facilities will also charge a cleanup fee for the room after you have left for pet odor and cleaning the carpet.