The trend for pets to travel sees an increase during the summer months when a larger number of families go on vacation. Traveling by motor car is the main method of transportation coming top of the list at seventy-six per cent. Other methods of transport that are fairly popular include travel in recreational vehicles at ten per cent and travelling by air at six per cent.
You are limited to travelling with 5 pets per person under the EU travel scheme for pets. Should anyone be looking to travel with more than 5 pets they will need to comply with rules pertaining to the import regime and commercial trade.
A ‘Pet Passport’ is issued by your veterinarian and is a certificate which shows that your pet or pets have observed the regulations and rules laid out in the scheme for Pet Travel. To start the process for having your Pet Passport issued, you must consult your local registered veterinarian.
Although pet lovers simply want their pets to be comfortable as well as safe always, one has to ensure that you also protect your motor vehicle from damage that they can unwittingly cause. To this end, it would be best to make sure that you secure your cat in a carrier before heading out on a trip with it.
If you are planning on going on a lengthy trip with your pet, it would be best to discuss medication for pet travel sickness with your veterinarian. Also make sure that your car and the pet carrier have good ventilation and should the weather be very hot, put an ice pack into the pet carrier before travelling.
Should you be travelling by airplane, you should ensure that you understand the policies of the airline regarding pet travel, particularly if flying overseas. According to regulations, pets have to be 8 weeks old and must also have been weaned five days prior to flying. Airlines will when transporting pets, require a health certificate issued ten das before travel by a veterinarian. Quite a number of the major airlines now allow for small dogs and cats to travel with you in luggage designed to be carried on to the airplane and placed under your seat.
It would be best to chat to airline staff to let them know that you are traveling with your pet. Should your pet not be traveling in the cabin but rather in the cargo area of the airplane, you should check that your pet has been loaded onboard. This is even more important if you will be taking multiple connecting flights.
To make life easier for you, travel companies handling pets may supply you with cat carriers that are approved by the airline. This will allow you to be assured that the airline rules are being adhered to regarding the cat carrier.
As cats are fairly sensitive animals, they may end up with stomach upsets during travel. It is for this reason that vets suggest that you do not feed your cat just before traveling. It would be best to leave a number of hours before your cat is fed to minimize potential discomfort.
