Before I began to travel with my dog, Chewie, I was overwhelmed by all of the “tips and tricks” for traveling with a pet that I found when searching on the internet. While most of the tips that I found did help me prepare for traveling with Chewie, there are some that I learned only once we began to travel together. Here are 3 Pre-Departure Pet Travel Tips that will help you prepare for a stress-free trip with your pet.
1. Have Flexible Travel Plans
While traveling with your pet, unexpected circumstances can arise, such as flight delays, human or pet health emergencies, strikes, natural disasters, or inclement weather. You can mitigate the stress that these situations may bring by booking refundable or changeable transportation tickets, purchasing travel insurance, and knowing what emergency medical and veterinary hospitals are nearby.
By acknowledging pre-departure that it is likely you’ll face an unexpected situation, while also maintaining a flexible mindset, you can more seamlessly navigate challenges that may arise during your trip with your pet.
2. Keep Your Pet’s Documents Organized
Proper documentation is essential when traveling with pets, as it ensures compliance with your destination’s regulations around the movement of domestic animals. To stay organized, keep a designated binder with sheet protectors that hold your pet’s vaccination records, health certificate, emergency contact information, and a recent photo of your pet. Having this binder full of essential documents will allow you to quickly find what you are looking for when your pet’s documentation is being requested for review whether it’s pre-departure or in the middle of your trip!
Additionally, it is essential to have a digital folder that does not require internet or cellular data to access, containing scans or clear images of all your pet’s documents. The two different ways that you can have a digital folder of your pet’s documents are to have a designated folder in your phone’s notes app or to have a photo album that’s labeled, “(Pet’s Name) Vaccination and Travel Documents.”
3. Ensure Your Pet’s Microchip is Functioning
A pet that has a functioning microchip has a higher likelihood of being identified and reunited with its owner if lost while traveling. Prior to departure, take your pet to their veterinarian to verify that your pet’s microchip is functioning properly and note the location of where it is inside your pet. Although it is rare, I learned from personal experience while traveling internationally with Leia that it is not impossible for a pet’s microchip to randomly stop functioning!
Moreover, it is also important to ensure that the primary and emergency contact information associated with your pet’s microchip is up to date in the appropriate database before traveling away from home. This information is crucial for a veterinary hospital or animal shelter to know so that they can quickly arrange for your pet to be reunited with you.
Conclusion:
Traveling with your pet can be a fulfilling experience with the right preparations before departing! By following these three essential tips—having flexible travel plans, keeping your pet’s documents organized, and verifying the functionality of their microchip—you will be more prepared when your travel itinerary does not go according to the original plan.
