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If you have plans to fly with your pet, you are part of a growing trend that has been increasing for the last number of years. Most airlines will charge a nominal fee to allow your small pet to accompany you, if it will fit into a FAA approved pet carrier that is small enough to stow under your seat. The following important info can help you keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy on airplane flights.

When you book a flight, it is a good idea to make reservations for yourself and your pet as early as you can. You must inform the airline that you want to bring your pet with you. It is extremely important to tell them, as they will only allow a limited number of pets on each flight. Some airlines don’t allow pets at all, particularly on international flights. Always confirm your flight the day before you’re trip. If you’re traveling internationally you need to confirm your trip seventy-two hours before you fly.

Before you fly into the wide blue yonder with your furry travel companion, you need to take him or her to the vet for a checkup, to be sure he or she is healthy enough to travel. You will also have to take its health certificate with you, showing that your pet is up-to-date on all it’s vaccinations, including rabies. Your pet has to wear its current vaccination tag when traveling. As well, your pet must meet the health regulations of the country you will be traveling to. Take along a copy of your pet’s medical records listing its allergies, chronic medical conditions, and medications.

If you have not done this already, you should get your pet micro-chipped. That way, if your pet gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, where its chip can be scanned, you both can be reunited. Keep in mind that your pet’s I.D. tag will have your home address and phone number on it. That will not be of much help if your pet is lost while you’re on vacation. It is a good idea to get another tag made up with your destination address and phone number on. What could happen if you pet isn’t found until after you’ve returned from your vacation? It makes sense that you should leave both your home identification tag on your pet as well as attaching the new tag. That way you will have all bases covered and have a better chance of being reunited

You should bring a photo of you pet with you when you travel. It will help you to prove you’re the rightful owner if any problems of ownership arise. Also, the photo can be used to make up a number of flyers that can be posted in the area where your pet was lost.

Flying with pets that are too large to fit into a FAA approved pet carrier is not a good idea as they will be stowed in the cargo hold. Putting your pet in the cargo hold of an aircraft is very traumatic and dangerous to its health. It makes far more sense to leave your pet with a friend, or a pet sitting service while you are vacation.

The American Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend sedating or tranquilizing your pet when flying, especially dogs. Dogs regulate their body temperature when they pant, so when they are tranquilized or sedated, they may not be able to pant. If this happens, it may leave them defenseless against the fluctuation of air pressure and temperature that occurs in the cargo hold of every flight. Also, keep in mind that pets do not enjoy flying, or being locked up in a cramped kennel and left alone in a dark and desolate cargo hold. It must be very terrifying for them.

There are a number of websites that give additional valuable information regarding traveling with your pet. Two outstanding sites are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at aspca.org, and the Federal Government’s Department of Agriculture at aphis.usda.gov, which has an excellent article entitled, Traveling With Your Pet.

If you are looking for a great travel carrier for your small pet, you may want to consider the popular, FAA approved pet carrier, Sherpa On Wheels. This Cadillac of pet carriers is a luxurious, comfortable home for a pet when they fly. It has convenient front and top entries, mesh panels for ventilation, recessed wheels, as well as a detachable pull handle and a shoulder strap. It can be seen on line at SherpaPet.com.

Tags: Travel Tips

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