Is your pet so much a member of the family (or maybe your entire family?) that you wouldn’t consider leaving him or her behind when you take to the friendly skies for a vacation?  While finding resorts, hotels, and even cruise ships willing to accommodate pets is somewhat easier than it used to be, finding an airline to accommodate your furry friend poses its own set of challenges. So here are some tips on how to make sure that when plane takes off, doggie or kitty will be safely tucked on board.

As soon as you know when you’ll be departing for your trip, call all the airlines which can get you to your destination and ask about their pet transporting policies.  If you have to depart from a municipal airport served by only a few carriers, you may have a problem, especially if the only flights you can book are on small aircraft.  Many people suffer from allergies and will not be happy sharing a cramped cabin with Fido or Fluffy.  Your only solution may be to arrange extra travel time and drive to a larger airport.

Prepare to fork over extra money to bring your pet, because that pet carrier won’t qualify as your carryon luggage.  The additional fee will vary from airline to airline and is usually determined by whether your pet will be stowed beneath your seat or in the baggage compartment.  Even if the airline will allow your pet to stay in the cabin with you, it’s up to you to decide whether the cabin is the best place for your pet.  Many small breeds of dog
are quite excitable, and if your dog becomes vocal when he or she is unhappy or scared, it could be a problem for other passengers.  Larger pets, of course, will have to ride in the baggage compartment.

You ‘ll  also need a pet carrier which meets the airline’s specifications. Be sure to choose one in which your pet can stand up and turn around from time to time.  Get your pet used to the carrier well before the trip.   Try to make it so comfortable that doggie or kitty will feel right at home and stay relaxed during the flight.

Make an appointment with your veterinarian
well in advance of your trip to have your pet examined and brought up to date on vaccinations.  Get a health certificate from your vet, because all airlines require them.  If you have an exceptionally nervous dog, talk to your vet about getting a sedative you can administer a couple of hours before your flight.  Make sure your pet has a bathroom break before leaving home, and if you have a long layover between flights, see if you can arrange to get doggie or kitty out of the pet carrier for a drink, stretch, and second bathroom break.

Finally, make absolutely certain that your pet and pet carrier have identification with your name, address, and a phone number where you can be reached during your trip.  Your home phone number won’t be very useful, because you won’t be home!

myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most...Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog http://www.myroadtotravelblog.com to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at http://www.myroadtotravel.com

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