Pet Travel

Earlier this week, I provided some useful tips to make traveling with children a little easier. Today, the focus is on traveling with pets. While it is difficult to travel with a very large pet, smaller dogs and cats (and other little critters) are widely permitted with an extra fee.

There are some details that you should know so that you’re not stuck having to leave your pet behind at the airport:

1. Check with your specific airlines to see if they allow pets on the flight. If they do, see what their restrictions and limitations are about bringing your pets as carry-on. For most airlines, the largest cage allowed in the cabin has dimensions of 40 in. x27 in. x30 in. Animals exceeding 70 pounds are required to be checked-in.

2. Dogs under 8 months old are not allowed to fly; however, if you have a relatively young pet, make sure to take them to the “Pet Parks” offered at some of the larger airports (i.e. Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Minneapolis)for a potty break before the flight. Unless designated pet areas are clearly defined, pets are not allowed to be outside of their kennels in the airport.

**If your dog is not used to being placed in a kennel, start to train them a few weeks before the flight so that they are comfortable staying in a kennel for a long period of time.

3. Bring all health certificates and veterinary documents with you in case requested. If traveling internationally, be aware of the specific examinations and health requirements of the country you are entering; as well as those of your returning country. For American regulations, check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Bringing your pet along for your vacation can reduce the stress of having to leave them at home, but make sure that you have fully prepared for the trip as issues can come up along the way that lead to traveling difficulties.

For more information, visit:

Real Travel Flights
Bringing dogs to New York
www.petflight.com

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From A dog’s travels to France & Spain & Switzerland by Hamish– the Westie

Traveling as a family, with everybody along…what could be more priceless? In today’s changing world, traveling with pets is becoming more and more possible. All week we have shared tips and stories about pet travel, from the best dog parks to pet-friendly hotels to pre-trip packing and preparation tips. Today we highlight international travel with pets, with a special focus on traveling within Europe.

Hamish– the Westie, a unique Realtraveler, is a west highland terrier who got to travel through Europe with his parents and his fellow dog brother. Along with other adventures through France, Spain, and Switzerland, his trip coincided with the World Cup! As you can see in the below excerpt from Pau, France, a blog from a dog’s point-of-view has a special sort of charm:

“Tom Tom leads us directly to the door of the Hotel Rocevaux which is slap bang in the centre of Pau. We notice 2 things….things seem rather quiet and …. there is rather a lot of bunting around the place…of course Cup du Monde! It’s the world cup final evening…the big final match between France and Italy. Oh how exciting!!!..I can get my football out and bark ‘allez allez Thierry Henry!!’ VaVa Voom!!!” (more…)

Here are some travel tips for traveling with pets outside the United States. They are by no means exhaustive, so be sure to consult your vet, airlines, and the Embassy or Consulate of any and all your destination countries, including the one to which you’ll be returning!

Pet Passports

Yes, animals need them too. The needed documents will vary from country to country, even within the EU, so be sure to check what you’ll need. Regulations do change, and the Embassy or Consulate will give you the most current information. While visiting the vet for your pre-trip vet checkup, as recommended in our Preparing for Pet Travel article, obtain any necessary health certificates you may need. You may need additional vaccinations in order to clear customs. Note that all documents are valid for a limited time period, so you will need to find this out and determine how it coincides with your trip.

Visit these links for more information:
Pet Passport Info
Official USDA Certification

Following the Rules of the Road

You’ll also want to think not only about getting there, but also about what methods of transportation you’ll be using within your destination country, and contact each service to find out their regulations. This includes airlines as well as train travel. You’ll also need to consult with each Embassy or Consulate about their quarantine policies. There’s likely a cost involved, and you may need advance reservations.

For information on bringing your pet into the United States, whether from another country or on your return trip back home, visit the Pets and International Travel US Government Site.

Visit these links for more information:
Traveling Europe by Train with Pets
Airline Transport Association
Airline Travel Rules with Pets

Finding Accommodations

Pet-friendly hotels are cropping up more and more in Europe and around the world. The following directories speak for themselves, so click on an individual country to find your destination. Calling the hotel to verify their policies is always recommended.

Pet-Friendly Hotels in Europe
Pet Friendly Hotels in Paris
Pet-Friendly Hotels in Amsterdam
Worldwide Pet Travel Hotel Guide

Having Fun

Paris is known for its dog-friendly atmosphere. Most restaurants will allow well-behaved dogs to sit at their owner’s feet while they dine, and if boutique, bakery, and post office staff are amenable, dogs can join in there, as well.

Small dogs in their carrying bags can ride the Paris Métro and bus, and some taxis will let dogs of any size ride in their cars (call ahead to be sure). For a custom ride through town, try Taxi Dog, a taxi company that specializes in dog transportation. If you speak French, Il Partent Avec Nous is a helpful site for pet travel in Paris.

All pet owners love to find parks to let their dogs get their play time! In Paris, the south end of Luxenbourg Gardens is a popular spot. In Amsterdam, another dog-friendly city, Oosterpark is a popular spot with locals and just off the beaten path for tourists. It is part of the grounds adjoining the Tropenmuseum and has a picturesque, quiet atmosphere, plus is divided into dog and non-dog zones for childrens’ safety. Vondelpark Amsterdam’s largest and best known park and also a fun place to bring your dog.

Dog Parks Outside the United States:

Paris Parks Guide
Public Open Spaces for Dogs in Australia
Dog Parks in Canada
Sampling of City Parks Around the World - popular parks to walk your dog

Additional Resources:

Europe Travel Guide
Etiquette Guide to Dining Out with Your Pooch
Dog Park FAQ
ABC’s of Air Travel with Pets

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