Relocating? > Moving With Pets

Moving with pets can be a challenge. Pets are family members, and you want to transport them safely, without discomfort. Proper preparation and planning is the key to a successful animal relocation.

Gather the Paperwork
Whether you are transporting your animal in the car or by plane, have your pet's documents in order. Approximately three months before moving, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Tell the vet that you are relocating and want to prepare your pet's travel and health certificate requirements.
In addition to an overall examination, ask your veterinarian to provide you with a health certificate and a certificate of rabies vaccination. Inquire about any necessary vaccinations, such as rabies, distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, bordetella, and lyme disease. Also ask the vet to test for heartworm and prescribe appropriate travel medication. Give your animal only the tranquilizers prescribed by the veterinarian in the exact prescribed dosage.
Carry health certificates with you in the car. You will need them when you cross state lines. Most states require animals to wear their rabies tag on their colla, Call the State Veterinary Medicine Association to find out what is required.
Although pets may travel freely throughout the United States with proper documentation, Hawaii requires a 30- or 120-day quarantine for all dogs and cats. Hawaii's quarantine regulations vary by species, so check prior to travel.

Identification Tags and Photos
One of the most important things you can do for your pets is to make sure they have proper identification. If your pet escapes, how will you find it? Better yet, how will people find you in order to return your animal? If you are transporting a bird, obtain an identification leg band.
You can custom order your pet's ID tag through your vet's office, local pet store, or by logging onto PetsMart. Include your pet's name, your name, address and phone number, destination address and phone number. Once you have the tag, make certain that you attach it securely on the animal's collar, along with the rabies tag. Take color pictures of your pet and have a complete description of its colorings and distinguishing marks. Record your pet's body size and weight.

Make a Travel Survival Kit
Include dry food, bottled water, collapsible dishes, a can opener (if needed), two leashes, a zip lock bag filled with treats, a favorite toy, old beach towels, pre-moistened towels, and some type of bedding. Be sure to bring along a "pooper-scooper" and plastic bags for clean-up. (And cat litter and box for our feline friends.) Cats do better in carriers when traveling. Some dog owners use doggie seatbelts to hold their animal in place.

Feeding and Pit Stops
Whether traveling with a dog, cat, or small animal, try to feed your animal three to four hours before departure. Give the animal dry food, rather than the wet type (easier clean up, if car sickness occurs). Dogs should be given a good walk and exercise period before starting the drive. Provide plenty of fresh drinking water, and give your animal plenty of opportunities to relieve itself. (But don't be surprised if they turn their noses up at the bathroom accommodations.)

Two Big No-No's
Do not let your animal run free off the leash or lead. Animals can become disoriented and frightened very quickly and do the unexpected. Why chance your pet getting lost or running in front of moving vehicles? Be a responsible pet owner, and keep your animal tethered until you get safely situated at your destination.
Never leave your animal in a closed and locked car. The interior temperature can rise very quickly and kill your pet. The best solution is to have someone stay with your animal during breaks. Plan picnics, drive-through eating, etc., but do not let your pet suffer in a hot car.

Birds and Small Animals
Birds and small pets, such as gerbils and hamsters, travel well in cages. Birds are very susceptible to drafts and sudden changes in temperature and are easily frightened. Keep the cage covered while on the road. Place the cage in the car, protect it from drafts but provide plenty of ventilation, and make sure the cage will not tip over. Give the pet fresh water at every stop because small pets become dehydrated very quickly.
If you need to stop for a night or two on the road, you can find many pet-friendly hotels. A nifty website is Pets Welcome.Com, (http://www.petswelcome.com) where you can search by city for pet-friendly hotels, B&B's -- even amusement parks. Just remember to make your reservations well in advance, especially for the summer months.

Transporting Animals via Commercial Air
Make travel reservations early and try to avoid peak travel periods because of the possibility of delays. When making airline reservations, tell the airline that you will be traveling with an animal and reconfirm the reservation with the airline 24 to 48 hours before departure. Check the weather conditions in order to avoid traveling in extreme hot or cold temperatures. Dogs and cats are required to be at least 8 weeks old.
Arrive early at the airport. In most cases, you will check in at the passenger terminal. If you are sending your pet through the cargo system, you'll need to go to the cargo terminal (no more than four hours before flight time). Some airlines allow cats and small dogs to travel with their owners if the carrier fits under the passenger seat. Contact the Air Transport Association for more information.
There are minimum standards for carriers as to size, strength, sanitation, and ventilation. They must allow room for your pet to stand and freely move around, and they must be strong enough to be handled during transportation. Make sure your carrier provides adequate ventilation and the floor of the kennel is leakproof.
Carriers must have outside handles for lifting and moving. Mark the carrier on the top and side with the words, "live animal," and include arrows to indicate the correct upright position of the kennel. Mark it with your name and address, as well as the name of a person who can be contacted at your destination. Tape copies of travel documents to the top of the crate. Write out and attach special feeding and care instructions for a 24-hour period, which will assist the airline attendants in providing care for your pet in case the flight is delayed. Place a flat cushion/blanket on the carrier floor. Be sure to attach an accessible water cup to the door of the crate. You can order carriers online at Travel Pets.

Shipping Animals on Military Airlift Flights
If you are traveling on military airlift flights, make arrangements early. Be sure to tell your travel office that you will be traveling with an animal. Most military flights will allow only two animals per flight. This can make things difficult during the summer months when PCS travel is at its highest. Kenneling and document requirements are generally the same as with commercial air travel.
With proper preparation and planning, relocation with pets can be accomplished painlessly and successfully.