Sure, parrots, canaries and cockatiels may be able to flap their own wings through the air, but when it comes to the most common of domestic pets, they will need some assistance when taking to air travel. That’s not to say there’s no way to bring your beloved dog or cat on cross-country vacations without having to endure a long car trip. Most airlines allow animals on board many flights, a plot twist that could’ve shortened Homeward Bound to a drama-free half hour short film, still leaving time to further explore Sassy’s doggie-trust issues. Of course, there are a few rules and guidelines that must be followed before your pet can become an authorized travel companion, not to mention some tips to help make the pet air travel process as pain-free as possible.
- Plan Ahead You can’t decide there might be some great dog parks in California the night before you fly out of New York and still expect Sparky to tag along. Book your pet’s reservation when you book your own reservation, and book both earlier than you normally would for solo trip. Also, be knowledgeable of your selected airlines individual pet policy as to avoid last minute surprises.
- Prepare Paperwork Just like you need a driver license or passport, your pet will need a health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate at the very least to board a plane. In most cases, these documents will need to be issued no more than ten days prior to departure.
- Exercise Before Travel Depending on length of your flight, not to mention time going through airport security, which is tough enough when traveling alone, your pet might be cooped up longer than accustomed to. A long walk or any form of exerting activity will help to tire your furry friend out, making it a far less daunting task to stay put or perhaps nap for a few hours.