Como viajar com segurança com seu animal de estimação

VIAJAR COM SEU PET pode ser maravilhoso – uma verdadeira “viagem”! Que melhor maneira de realmente se conectar com seu companheiro peludo do que passar férias juntos, e você nem precisa levar um maiô extra para seu animal de estimação. Claro, às vezes viajamos com um animal de estimação porque precisamos, como durante uma mudança de cross-country. Seja qual for o motivo, todos (incluindo seu animal de estimação) precisam chegar aonde estão sãos e salvos. O mais importante é garantir que seu animal de estimação não se perca em alguma cidade estranha, então aqui estão algumas dicas importantes para antes e durante suas viagens.

Não importa como ou para onde você está viajando, a primeira regra é sempre esta:A menos que seu cão ou gato possa dizer “Oi, meu nome é FiFi e meu número de telefone é…”, CERTIFIQUE-SE DE QUE SEU PET TEM TANTA IDENTIFICAÇÃO QUE POSSÍVEL! Todos os dias, ouvimos de pessoas cujos animais de estimação desaparecidos não tinham etiquetas de identificação ou microchips, e eles nunca sonharam que seus animais de estimação se perderiam. Se FiFi se separar de você enquanto você estiver na estrada, é ainda menos provável que você consiga encontrá-lo, então a identificação adequada é sua única chance de se reunir. Algumas sugestões muito importantes:

• Certifique-se de ter etiquetas de identificação na coleira do seu animal de estimação e, se possível, liste o número do seu celular nelas. Dessa forma, se seu animal de estimação se perder, você poderá ser encontrado onde quer que esteja.
• Microchipe seu animal de estimação e envie as informações de registro do microchip para que, se seu animal de estimação for escaneado, suas informações de contato estarão no banco de dados (e certifique-se de atualizar suas informações com a empresa do microchip se você se mudar)! Isso pode parecer uma dica óbvia, mas você ficaria surpreso com quantas pessoas têm um microchip colocado em seu animal de estimação e depois esquecem de registrar seu microchip, apenas para se arrepender mais tarde. Não adie mais um dia, faça agora! Collars can slip off, and tags can and do break off collars, especially if your pet escapes through a narrow opening. Microchips offer a more permanent solution for identification.
• Don’t forget to label your pet’s carrier prominently with your name, address, and

phone number.

AIRLINE TRAVEL TIPS FOR PETS:

If you’re planning an airplane trip with your pet, keep in mind that some airlines don’t allow animals at all, and some only allow pets to travel during certain months, especially if your pet must travel in the cargo container of the plane. These rules are in place for your pet’s safety�in the hottest or coldest months of the year, the cargo hold can be a deadly place for animals. If you have a very small dog or a cat, some airlines will allow you to bring him or her on board with you to be stowed under your seat in a special soft-sided carrier; most airlines only allow a few pets on board at a time, though, so reserve well in advance!

Although air travel for pets is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the International Air Transport Association, each airline also has its own rules and regulations to follow. Most will not allow pets under eight weeks of age or aggressive or ill pets to fly. Check with your airline well in advance of travel to learn their pet-travel policies.

Airline travel for pets is never 100% safe, especially for pets that are checked as baggage. Many animal welfare organizations, including the ASPCA and Humane Society of the United States recommend against flying your pet on a commercial airline flight unless he or she is small enough to accompany you on board. If you must fly and place your pet in the cargo hold, please consider the following tips to make your pet’s trip is as safe as possible:

• Consider your flight schedule and any time your pet might be outside being moved in and out of the plane. If you are flying during the winter or summer, schedule flights during the mildest time of the day. In summer, early morning flights are best. In winter, fly during the warmest part of the day and avoid evening and overnight flights. Choose the shortest flight possible.
• Book a direct flight with no layovers or transfers to reduce the chance of your pet being lost or being exposed to harsh conditions on the tarmac.
• When you board the plane, let the cabin crew know that you have a pet traveling in cargo. Ask them to radio down to the loading crew to check that your pet has made it onto the plane! Another reason to notify the cabin crew is that the pilot may be able to control the temperature in the cargo hold to make your pet more comfortable, so don’t be afraid to speak up.
• Your pet’s crate should meet airline requirements and be clearly labeled with the words “LIVE ANIMAL”, with an arrow pointing up. Don’t lock the cage in a way that would prevent a crew member from opening it in case of emergency. Do use a plastic luggage tie to securely fasten the crate door closed so the crate can’t open accidentally during transport (yikes!).
• Don’t feed your pet within three hours of the flight. Make sure to freeze water in the crate’s water dish beforehand and place it in the crate right before you depart. That way, the water will not slosh out of the dish, but will slowly melt over the duration of the flight, giving your pet a constant supply of fresh water.
• Never sedate your pet before a flight without consulting your veterinarian first. While flying is stressful (for humans too), some pets will be fine and sleep through the flight naturally.
• Schedule a checkup with your veterinarian to make sure all shots are up-to-date. Have your veterinarian issue a health certificate dated within ten days of departure, and bring it to the airport in your carry-on along with certificates of vaccination.
• Be sure to remove your pet’s leash so it can’t become tangled in the crate and choke your pet. Also, trim your pet’s nails to keep them from getting caught in the crate.
• Enclose something soft with your scent on it (like a t-shirt you’ve worn for a few hours) in the crate. This can be very reassuring to your pet during during the hours of loud noises and bumping.
• Always travel with a photo of your pet in case he or she becomes lost or you need to identify him or her as yours.

AND HERE ARE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS:

• Try not to leave pets alone in your hotel room, even if the hotel allows it. No, they won’t make a long-distance call that will show up on your bill! But if your pet gets nervous and agitated and starts to bark or cry, a well-meaning hotel staffer may enter the room to offer comfort. An open door could give your pet the opportunity to escape. If you do need to leave your pet unattended, most cities have doggy daycare services to watch over pets�ask the hotel to help you locate one.
• Never, NEVER leave any pet unattended in a car, even for a short time. If you think it’s safe because your car is in the shade, think again:shade is only temporary! It moves with the sun’s position in the sky or when clouds disperse. It’s also possible that someone might break into your car to steal something- even your pet. NO amount of unsupervised time in the car is ever safe.
• Get the location of emergency vet clinics in your destination city before you leave for your trip and bring the information with you in an easily-accessible place, like your carry-on.
• Travel with a copy of your pet’s vaccination records, just in case you need to place him or her in daycare or he/she requires medical help.
• During car trips, make sure your pet is properly restrained in a carrier or with a harness.

BON VOYAGE! WE WISH YOU AND YOUR PET A SAFE RETURN!


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Obrigado!



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