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Traveling with a Pet

© Barbara Nicholson Bell

The author is a managing editor for a variety of topics at Suite101.com as well as contributing editor on Antiques and Collectibles. She is herself a prominent antiques dealer with a special interest and expertise in ceramics, art pottery, Chinese Export and European porcelain.

Our first experience traveling for three days into the Adirondacks with our dog may help you enjoy your next trip more and reduce anxiety for your pet.

Points to remember:

* Make sure your pet's shots, heartworm and rabies/ID tags are up to date. If you will be entering a foreign country, find out ahead of time what papers you will need to provide and what restrictions there may be. If traveling for an extended period of time, carry health records with you and your veterinarian's address and phone number.

* Find accommodations that accept pets. Motel 6 and the Red Roof Inn chains accept pets nationwide, and many others, like Best Western, have individual pet policies.

* Make your reservations at least two weeks in advance. Specify that you will have a pet with you. Ask for a first-floor room, preferably at the end of a corridor and near an exit. The proprietor may select a room without neighbors, so that if the dog barks, no one will be disturbed. Some motels will have a designated "dog walk" area.

* If you will be arriving late, it is best to prepay the first night or at least guarantee your arrival with a credit card. Make note of cancellation policies!

* Contact those sites and attractions you'll be visiting, and ask about their pet policies. Designate one member of your group as 'dog watcher' while others tour or play, and rotate that responsibility. Otherwise, place your pet in his crate inside an air-conditioned motel room for no longer than two hours. Never leave your pet inside your vehicle, unattended, for longer than a few minutes.

* Bring a collapsible wire crate which is roomy enough for your pet's comfort but not too big to fit in your vehicle's trunk. Your pet should be accustomed in advance to spending time in the crate. This is not the occasion to try it out for the first time!

* In a convenient, insulated cooler or lunchbox, pack enough pet food for the number of days you will be traveling, and plenty of plastic waste disposal bags. Carry fresh water in a thermos or bottled water, and replenish frequently. Include the pet's familiar dishes or use the cup/lid included with the lunchbox. Bring favorite treats or rawhide chews, and a few toys. Health regulations will prevent you from taking a pet into any eating establishments. Plan to have picnics, or use fast-food establishments for breakfast and lunch. During dinner the dog can remain in his crate inside the motel room, while you enjoy a nice restaurant.