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  • Guide for pet owners

    PET TRAVEL CHECKLIST

    Take the stress out of pet travel


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COMPLETE PET TRAVEL CHECKLIST

Important factors and steps to take when traveling with your pet(s) 

1. Select your travel dates

Pick the dates you wish to travel
Plan ahead because while some documents are only good for 10-30 days, some preparations may need to start six months or more in advance depending on the location.
You will need to confirm your “Pet Friendly Hotel” and airline dates first to see if your within the appropriate time frame for traveling to your desired destination. Every Location has different requirements for pets traveling into their cities!
Barkera makes it easier for you to find all this information in one easy to navigate site.

2. SELECT YOUR AIRLINE & CAR RENTAL

Search “Pet Friendly” Airlines and their policies.
Call your Airline  to confirm requirements for pet travel (each airline has different requirements & pricing)
Review crate requirements
Confirm if you need a valid Health Certificate
Read Airlines travel policies and specific forms

3. SELECT YOUR DESTINATION

Every country has different requirements for transporting pets
As a Traveling Pet Owner, you must understand the requirements for pets coming into a new state or country, the process (i.e. quarantine) and what the required documentations, vaccines, lab testing etc.
Choose below how you will travel with your Pet:
Interstate/domestic ( traveling within the United states)
Export (traveling outside the country)
Import (bringing pet into the country)
USDA | APHIS Overview
Health Certificate (Domestic / International) PRINT – Download Here
APHIS International Travel Checklist – Download Here

4. SCHEDULE VET VISIT

You will need to call your Vet to schedule an appointment to get a Health Certificate to confirm Health Exam and Vaccines are current for travel. Depending on the destination will determine the requirements you will need to meet in order to travel with your pet. Some places have stricter rules then others. Its important to be proactive and contact your vet immediatley and not wait until the last minute.  
Don’t have a Vet? Search a directory of local Vets near you. SEARCH

5. SEARCH PET FRIENDLY HOTELS

Search hotels that will accomodate your sized pet accordingly and reserve your hotel room 
If you have large dogs then you will need to make sure you are on the bottom floor for easy access to outdoors. Check to see if there is a specified potty area. Bring a crate with you for your pet to stay in if you have to leave the hotel room. 

6. SCHEDULE CAR RENTAL


Call your car rental to reserve the vehicle that will have the appropriate amount of room for your pet to travel comfortably. Choose from over 28,000 pick and drop-off locations in multiple countries. Free Cancelations. 

AIRLINE TIPS

Tips to traveling with your pet(s) in one place. 

In addition to the USDA rules, each airline establishes its own policies.

 The following are some provisions you will likely encounter at most airlines:

Important things to consider

1. Airlines generally require health certificates from all shippers. So it’s a good idea to have your licensed veterinarian examine animals within ten days prior to shipment and issue a certificate stating that the animal is in good health. Airlines may not require health certificates for service animals used by passengers with disabilities.

2. Do not give your pet solid food in the six hours prior to the flight, although a moderate amount of water and a walk before and after the flight are advised.



Simple steps to assure a smooth flight

3. Airlines do not permit you to administer sedation to your pet without the approval of a veterinarian. It is recommended to provide a test dose a few days prior to the trip to gauge how the pet will react to the medi.

4.Be sure to reserve a space for your pet in advance, and inquire about time and location for drop-off and pick-up.

5. Try to schedule a non-stop flight; avoid connections and the heavy traffic of a holiday or weekend flight.


Airline Tips

6. When you board, try to tell a pilot and a flight attendant that there is a pet in the cargo hold. The airlines have a system for providing such notification, but it doesn’t hurt to mention it yourself.

7. For overseas travel (including Hawaii), inquire about any special health requirements such as lab tests and possible quarantine requirements months in advance to your schedule travel dates. .

Safety

8. Write your name, address and phone number on the kennel, and make sure your pet is wearing a tag with the same information. Consider purchasing a temporary tag showing your destination address and phone number. Bring a photo of your pet, in case it is lost.

9. Before traveling, accustom your pet to the kennel in which it will be shipped. Make sure that the door latches securely. With careful planning, your pet will arrive safely at its destination

In General

Your state / country you wish to travel to may have specific health requirements that must be met before your pet can enter that state / country.  For Domestic & International Travel, Importing or Exporting requirements are determined by each state / country and change often.  When you plan pet travel you will need to verify the specific requirements.

Requirements

START WITH APHIS TO FIND YOUR STATE / COUNTRY
Go to the APHIS PET TRAVEL site to learn all you need to know about what requirements you’ll need to meet when exporting your pet out of the state / country.   This is a great site to select your state / country and learn the specific requirements needed for traveling with your pet!


AVMA Pet Travel Education

Go to theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) site to learn more about what State / Country requirements you’ll need to meet when traveling with your pet..

Questions

IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE U.S. STATE REQUIREMENTS
Contact your state Veterinary health official:
State Veterinarian Health Officials Contacts Download Here