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IF you travel with a pet
those who travel with their pets love them beyond measure. When we read of fellow traveling pet families lost a pet to illness, got out, lost at a rest area – and how quickly our lives can change when something goes wrong we learn from each other. We learn from our mistakes and from sharing our experiences in hopes that others will not have to go through the same heartaches. There will always be accidents or situations out of our control but doing everything in our power to keep them safe is what we owe ourr beloved pets.
Here are a few things I have learned over the years of working in rescue, pet hospitals and humane societies:
1. Mico-chip your pets immediately if they are not already chipped and keep the contact information current with the microchip company you are registered with.
2. Always keep a collar on your pet with current contact information on tags. If you don’t like the sound of jingling tags get a collar with your info written on the collar or a tag that threads through the collar.
3. Spay/neuter.
4. Pets are always unpredicatble, keep your pets leashef when not in a contained animal. Leashes keep your pets from bolting and they allow you to quickly pick up your pet if need be.
5. Don’t use retractable leashes or flexi-leashes for more than 3 or 4 months without replacing they do break and whip back towards you and your pet…especially when fully extended.
6. Well fitted harnesses are hard to slip out of and also keep pressure off of the trachea.
7. Any time you are traveling in your bus or car that contain your pets – crates or seat belt harnesses are best. It will keep them from flying through the vehicle or escapting out a door when opened. Many states have las about unrestrained pets. If you have an accident insurance companies often ask if the animal was restrained.
8. Don’t allow your pet to ride with it’s head outside the vehicle. Think about the damage to your paint winshields – their heads outside the window subjects them to danger that damage your vehicle…if you must use “doggles.
9. Do not leave your pets unattended in the car – especially in the heat.
10. Always carry a copy of your vet records and shot record with you – one in the rv, one in the car and ladies, one in your purse….you never know when your paet may become ill or you need to prove vaccinations.
11. If your pet is not friendly to other dogs or people – please, please – tie a yellow ribbon for all to see on your dogs leash, collar or use a yellow neckerchief – this is the universal sign for a non friendly dog.
12. Dont approach a service dog, they are working your attention takes the dogs attention off of his job. Yes, they are lovely but they are working – they are not the same as pets. Always ask the handler .
If you can add more please do so….
thanks
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2 Replies
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As a co-founder of Pilots N Paws with Debi Boies (another PC member) please spay and neuter. Pleeeease.
But one thing Sandy forgot was to pick up after your pet. A lot of us love our pets, but we really don’t like walking in what pets leave behind.
Great post.
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something else to think about. learn about the area you are staying in. you never know when you may need an emergency vet.
we had to deal with that this fall outside of knoxville. we got lucky and lucked into an amazing ortho vet when our dog ended up with a compound fracture of her upper front leg. we now check out local emergency vets just in case so we know where they are. nothing like trying to find one at 10PM on a friday when you need one, cause pets dont plan this stuff for your schedule.
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