Vacations are fun for all - even your pet! Want to take Rover or Mittens with you on your next out-of-town adventure? Just make sure you are prepared to properly travel with an animal so fun will be had by all!

Here are a few things worth remembering before you head out with your animal companion:

Assess your pet.

As much fun as it is to vacation with your pet, not all pets should be included in the family vacation. If your pet is recovering from surgery, is pregnant or ill, very young/old, it may be better to look into a local pet sitter or kennel rather than take a chance on injuring your pet by taking it with you on vacation.

If your pet is fit to travel, you need to schedule a visit with your veterinarian.

Inform your veterinarian where you will be traveling to, for how long, as well as whether your pet will be traveling by air, car, train etc. Ask your veterinarian about any flea, heartworm, or tick risks for areas you will be traveling to.

Make certain that all vaccinations are up to date and obtain current health and rabies certificates no more than ten (10) days prior to your departure.

These certificates are required if your pet is traveling by air and are strongly recommended for any traveling pet as they may require emergency medical care or unexpected boarding and having these documents on hand will fascilitate any needed services while eliminating the chance of duplicating vaccines which can be very harmful to your pets overall health. If your pet isn’t already, consider having your pet microchipped. Microchip procedures are safe, quick, inexpensive, and very common. Should your pet get away while on vacation, most shelters, kennels, animal hospitals and humane societies are using scanners that will read these implanted chips and let you be reunited with your lost pet.

All pets should travel in a carrier for safety.

Many pet owners don’t crate their pets for auto travel. If this is the case for you, look into purchasing a pet harness seatbelt from your favorite pet supply store. Not only will it keep your pet in one place while in the car, but if something should happen on the road, emergency personnel can safely reach your frightened and possibly hurt pet without further injury to the pet or the rescue team.

If your pet has never traveled in a crate before, you’ll want to make sure your pet is accustomed to the crate before you begin your trip. Be sure to ask your veterinarian what steps you can take to prepare your pet for travel. Many veterinarians recommend taking short trips around the neighborhood or around town to provide your pet the opportunity to travel in the carrier prior to the ‘big trip’.

Obtain a secure carrier for your pet.

A sturdy, properly ventilated crate of adequate size for your pet is required for air travel and is ideal for road trips. A proper carrier is one that allows your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down in comfortably. A rim ¾ inches deep is required so that the ventilation will not be blocked. Additionally, the interior should be free of interior hazardous protrusions, have a door that securely latches, and have handles or grips on the outside to prevent anyone who might need to handle the crate from being bitten.

Make your carrier identifiable.

Print your pet's name and your name, address, and phone number for both your home and destination on the outside of the crate with permanent marker. You may even want to put the words "call collect" and/or “Pet is MICROCHIPED” on the outside to assist anyone in helping you reunite with your pet.

Verify that your pet's tags are current.

Be sure that your pet has a secure collar on at all times with tags showing proof of rabies vaccination and your contact information in case your pet becomes separated. Rather than a home address, you may want to make a set of temporary paper tags with your cell phone number and the address and phone number of your destination. Possibly even an email address if you’re traveling with a PDA or laptop.

Things to pack for your pet.

A sturdy leash.

Providing familiar scents will help your pet feel less stressed in their vacation surroundings. Packing your pet's bedding or an old blanket/sheet for the back seat of your car or the interior of the pet’s carrier will help with travel nerves while covering furniture at your destination with a clean sheet from home will settle nerves at your final location in addition to lessening the chance of damage to the furniture.

Food. If you feed your dog a national brand of food, it may be best to purchase a bag at your final destination, if you think that your food will not be available at your destination, be sure to bring enough for the whole trip. If you feed canned, bring a can opener and spoon.

Often pets can develop upset stomachs when drinking new water. At your destination you may want to purchase distilled water or bring two gallons of extra drinking water from home. When you are down to the last half gallon, begin mixing in equal parts with the water supply at your destination.

Food & water bowl set.

Portable water bowl or bottle for use when away from your lodging.

Your pets favorite treats.

All required medications, supplements, and preventatives.

Tweezers to remove foreign objects from fur or paws.

Things to pack or purchase at your destination.

Food, if you use a national brand and elected not to pack/bring with you.

Toys or chew items to keep your pet entertained while you are apart.

Lint and hair remover.

Baby wipes or moist towelettes to wipe off paws.

For cats, a full litter pan with extra litter, liners, and newspaper to place underneath for cats.

Waste removal bags.

Flashlight for nighttime walks.

No BIG meals straight before a trip – a light meal is probably okay.

Never put a leash in the crate as your pet could get tangled in it.

Double check for proper identification tags and health certificates.

Ensure any and all medications are packed.

Finally….

Don’t forget your camera and HAVE FUN!