If you have an animal friend then you’ll know just how important they are to the family. Whilst travelling with animals is not always easy, taking your favourite pet on holiday can actually be a very rewarding experience for everyone involved. It’s also not as problematic as you may think, and by having a pet passport and the correct
pet insurance, you can go on exciting getaways and take your animal family members with you.
Many cats and dogs are now taken on board flights in the cabin, with airlines providing the means by which to travel safely with your pet. The rules differ between airlines and so it is vital that you read rules and regulations before buying your tickets and finding out problems later. In addition, it is also a good idea to call flight centre staff if you haven’t flown with the airline before to ensure that they can answer questions you may have and perhaps highlight possible plans that you haven’t thought of. Animals can often be taken into the cabin for domestic flights but not allowed to travel overseas so you should tailor your holiday in accordance. And if you are travelling abroad it is vital that you have a pet passport showing the required vaccinations so that your pet is safe and secure.
When looking at air travel with pets it’s vital to not only check that airlines will accept animals, but that you fly at slower times of the year. Try and avoid the holiday seasons when flights are likely to be full, and consider slower times of day such as midday flights or red-eye services so that you’ll have a little more space.
Make sure that your pet is also prepared to travel, getting them used to their travel case for a few days prior to flying. It’s a good idea to let them utilise the case for several days beforehand so that they’re used to the smell and find the carrier relaxing, reducing their stress on long journeys.
It’s also vital to ensure that you have pet insurance which covers travelling with your canine or feline family member to ensure that, should the worst happen, you have financial compensation to cover costs. In the same way that humans can become ill abroad and need travel insurance to cover medical costs, pets can also become unwell too. It is vital to have pet insurance as animals often cannot wait until you get home to seek medical treatment, and veterinary bills can often be very high, especially if you’re in a foreign country.
Travelling with your pet can be a very rewarding experience, and for many people, pets are some of their best friends and so holidaying with them is ideal. With airlines more frequently accepting animals aboard and new procedures such as pet passports allowing animals to travel internationally, it is becoming more common practice to take pets on holiday. And, as long as you take the correct precautions, any trip away with your pet can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
