Vacationing With The Furkids

Vacationing With The Furkids

It’s the height of vacation season, and a large percentage of folks heading out for vacation plan to drive to their destination. According to AAA, “Fifty-five percent of Americans say they are more likely to take a road trip this year due to lower gas prices.” (http://newsroom.aaa.com/2016/04/aaa-one-third-americans-will-take-family-vacation-year/)

If you are a pet owner, the results of a recent survey by PetPlan may not surprise you: this survey found that “the majority of pet parents prefer to bring pets along for the ride, and traveling with a dog in a car is the most popular way to get from Point A to Point B.” (http://www.gopetplan.com/pet-travel-guide/car-travel.aspx)

If that sounds like your plan, there are things you should be aware of and prepare for before hitting the road with your furry friend(s). First (and maybe most importantly), consider whether your pet would be happier at home or on the road. Travelling for possibly long periods of time in a crate in a car, and then being in a strange place for several days may stress out your pet more than if they were left at home. The Humane Society of the United States recommends putting their interests first: “Think about where your pet would be happiest. You may think that your dog won’t be able to tolerate separation from you, but if you are vacationing, will you have to leave him in a hotel room or strange kennel? That will make him more anxious than ever, so finding a pet-sitter and leaving him in his own home would probably be a better choice.” http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/travelling_with_pets.html

Cat owners know that the same can certainly be said about cats. The Humane Society of the United States says “Unless you are moving or going away for an extended period, get a pet-sitter so that your cat will not have to experience the stress of riding for hours or days in a crate and adjust to a new, temporary living arrangement. Change can cause cats major stress, which can lead to behavior problems.”

Once you’ve concluded that your pet(s) will be happy traveling with you, there are many other aspects to consider: ensuring they have proper identification, bringing vet records with you in case of emergency, having some means of securing your pet in the car, knowing ahead of time which hotels/motels/public transportation accommodate pets, packing enough of their food, medications, bedding, pet first aid supplies and so on. The following websites are loaded with information to help you figure out how to plan your trip:

http://www.bringfido.com/ (find pet friendly accommodations)

http://www.gopetplan.com/pet-travel-guide.aspx?utm_source=eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PetTravelSummer2015&utm_content=PetTravelSummer2015

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Traveling-with-Your-Pet-FAQs.aspx

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/traveling_tips_pets_ships_planes_trains.html?referrer=http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/travelling_with_pets.html

http://newsroom.aaa.com/2011/05/the-aaa-petbook-offers-thousands-of-reasons-to-include-furry-family-members-in-vacation-plans/ (AAA guidebook on vacationing with pets)

From all of us at the Matawan Borough Animal Advisory Committee – have a safe trip and enjoy the ride with your furry friends!