Getting Away

Travels with Charley… or Fido, or Mittens.
One of our features in this issue recounts one man’s journey retracing the cross-country trek which inspired John Steinbeck’s best-selling book, Travels with Charley (see page 40). Like Steinbeck, many globetrotters regard their pets (like the title canine Charley) as trusty travel companions, but find there’s more to consider when planning a four-legged friendship getaway. PetRelocation.com offers a few tips.

1. Plan ahead. “Some countries require at least six months of preparation before your pet is allowed to enter the country,” says president of PetRelocation.com Kevin O’Brien. Steinbeck had to defer a foray into Canada because Charley lacked the necessary rabies vaccination certificate.

2. Purchase the right travel crate. If traveling by air, the size of the crate is required by law to meet minimum dimension requirements. The internal crate measurement has to be greater than the length of your pet by at least two to three inches. There also must be adequate ventilation and water for the animal.

3. Crate-train your pet. Properly preparing animals for long trips in confined spaces will reduce the travel-induced stress. Get your pet accustomed to its travel crate well ahead of your travel date.

4. Do not sedate or tranquilize. “Over-sedation is the biggest cause of animal deaths during airline transport and accounts for more than half of all deaths,” warns O’Brien.

5. Limit food intake. Although a pet may initially disagree, scaling back food intake can make for a more comfortable trip.

6. Get a vet check-up. “A veterinarian must be consulted before your departure date,” notes O’Brien. “When traveling within the United States, you must obtain a domestic health certificate dated within 10 days of departure. A valid rabies certificate is also needed.”

For more information, visit petrelocation.com or call 877-PET-MOVE.