Traveling with pets

Before you Travel

Confirm any registration fees, charges, restrictions on booking in with your pet(s)- changes in management, hotel policies etc are not common but it is always best to confirm these directly with the hotel or through the online information provided by Traveloshop.com.
If flying with your pet(s), you must determine how the pet(s) can be transported. In some cases, a standard carrier placed beneath your feet is acceptable to the airline but in others it will be necessary for your pet to travel by air freight in a standard pet box. You will need to arrange the air freight and identify where you will collect your pet(s) on landing- often this is in a separate part of the airport and it can be some distance from the arrivals area.
It is important that you deliver your pet(s) to the air freight terminal in good time (at least 2 hours in advance of the flight but it is best to check with the airline as they may have longer times for pet freight).
Check with your vetinary service that your pet(s) have the full complement of vaccinations necessary for the destination country/ region (rabies vaccination is compulsory for all overseas travel). In many cases, proof of vaccination is required by airlines before they allow your pet(s) to travel- it is best you check what the requirements are with the airline you have selected for travel. Your vet will be able to advise of which vaccinations your pet(s) will need and provide you with vaccination history documents.
In case of emergency, it is always best to locate emergency vetinary services in the area you wish to travel.
Don't over feed your pet(s) before travel. A light snack a few hours before travel is sufficient. And regular small amounts of water intake should be encouraged. When flying with your pet(s) it is perhaps better to give them a light snack 4-5 hours before the flight.
Ensure your pet(s) have a securely fixed identification tag with the pets name and your name and contact details at the destination of your travel. Be careful with mobile numbers, you may travel in and out of reception and it is best to have a fixed landline number for this (the hotel is a good choice if you advise them of this). If necessary, the hotel can then contact you in the event they need to relay a message.

While travelling

If you are travelling by car or coach, keep your pet(s) on a leash for their own safety and your peace of mind. New areas, smells and noises can be a little frightening, and keeping them on a leash allows them to feel constant reassurance of your connection with them, making them less likely to run off and potentially injure themselves or others.
Ice cubes that you can feed to your pet(s) are often easier to handle and allow you to control the fluid intake of your pet(s) while travelling. Fluid intake should be carefully limited and any food should similarly be regularly spaced small amounts rather than a single meal.