Tips on traveling internationally with your canine

Some people have no idea where to begin when it comes to traveling internationally with their canine companion.

A journey outside the country always requires preparation. When you decide to take your dog along with you, however, your responsibilities increase. In spite of the work involved, you can take steps to ease the stress on yourself and your dog. With advance planning, you’ll be able to make the entire process as painless as possible. You could always hire a private jet with a company like Jettly for the ultimate solution.

First, you must have your dog thoroughly checked out by your veterinarian. Tell him that you plan to travel internationally and would like to take your pet. Ask him if your pet is healthy enough for travel, particularly for flying, and follow his advice as to how to transport your pet safely.

Then, you need to determine your mode of travel and the rules and regulations for transporting a pet. If you’re travelling on a motorcycle, check out https://theridersmarket.com/motorcycle-dog-carrier/ and buy a dog carrier. If you’re travelling on a plane, you may have to explore other options like large crates. Most people choose to fly when they travel internationally. The ability to arrive quickly and bring a pet along are attractive features. A transatlantic cruise is another option for those heading to Europe; however, only certain ones allow pets to be on board. All pets are required to stay in kennels for the length of the cruise and for most cruise destinations so forget any ideas you may have about your dog bunking down in your room with you.

Next you must investigate the rules and regulations pertaining to entering a foreign country with your pet. Many animals are subject to several weeks of quarantine before being allowed into a foreign country. Every country has different requirements, so contact the embassy of the country you plan to visit to obtain their rules for bringing a pet into the country. Certain countries will waive the quarantine requirements for pets whose health and vaccinations are properly documented.

Then, you have to obtain a health certificate for your pet from a USDA-approved vet. Micro-chipping and specifically scheduled vaccinations are usually a part of the requirements.

Also, you need to purchase a crate of the proper size and construction for transporting your pet. You can obtain these guidelines from the airline on which you plan to travel. Contact the airline and ask for specific requirements on transporting your dog. You should label the crate with your name, address, flight numbers, destination, telephone number and pet’s name. Ensure that your dog has a tag on its collar as well with all pertinent information.

It’s best to choose a nonstop flight whenever possible. Changing flights can add to your dog’s stress level and increase the chances of your canine ending up on the wrong flight. Lost baggage is annoying enough, but a lost pet can be devastating.

It is smart to avoid traveling during times of temperature extremes. Cargo areas in planes are not usually climate controlled so flying in excessive heat or cold can be detrimental to your dog.

There is a lot to contemplate when deciding whether or not to travel internationally with your dog. Some people decide not to do it because it is a hassle, but more importantly, your dogs’ opinion of you has severely decreased once you have landed. It is extremely stressful on your dog to travel such far distances, and some people believe it is selfish of the owner to insist to bring the dog along and put him through such an intense and strenuous time.