| The holidays are one of the peak seasons for travel, | | | | a few days leave the top off the crate and put |
| and it is the perfect time to take your pet along with | | | | treats and a favorite toy in just the bottom portion. |
| you. Whether you are off on a ski vacation, visiting | | | | After seeing that your pet is comfortable, assemble |
| family or perhaps enjoying the magical feeling of a | | | | the crate and leave the door open. Invite them in |
| Swiss village at Christmas time, having your best | | | | with praise and treats. |
| friend along will make the trip more enjoyable. | | | | Flying with your pet is easy these days. Almost all |
| Be sure to consider pet identification before you | | | | airlines accept pets on board the aircraft. Very small |
| leave. Pet ID tags with your CELL PHONE number are | | | | pets can often travel in the cabin of the aircraft with |
| great since there will not be anyone at home to | | | | you in an airline compliant pet carrier. Larger pets will |
| answer the phone. You should consider the added | | | | travel as checked baggage in a special section of the |
| safety of a pet microchip. If your pet is separated | | | | cargo hold where the temperature and pressure is |
| from you, a shelter or a veterinarian can read the | | | | the same as in the cabin. Be sure to alert the captain |
| chip, and they can then track you down through the | | | | of the aircraft that you have a pet in cargo as he will |
| database of the company who manufactured the | | | | take extra care to keep the temperature and |
| microchip. If you are going to be spending a couple | | | | pressure at the proper levels. You will need a health |
| of weeks in one place, consider buying a second Pet | | | | certificate stating that your pet is healthy enough to |
| ID tag with the contact information on where you | | | | fly. Be sure to make reservations early as the airlines |
| will be staying. | | | | only allow a limited number of pets per flight. Stay |
| Pet crates are a great way to keep your pet safe | | | | away from medical tranquilizers for your pet and |
| when traveling in the car. Unless a pet is confined or | | | | instead give them an all natural product that makes |
| harnessed, its behavior can cause great distraction to | | | | them less anxious such as a product called Happy |
| the driver of the vehicle. As much as we all like our | | | | Traveler. |
| smaller pet in our lap, it is detrimental to the safety | | | | You will need lodging on the way. A great majority |
| of the pet, the driver, and the passengers riding in | | | | of pet friendly hotels, motels and bed & |
| the car. A collision, even at a slow speed, can | | | | breakfasts that accept pets but they do not always |
| seriously injure an unrestrained pet. The safety of | | | | accept all types and sizes. It is important to make |
| your pet is your responsibility. Be sure and buckle | | | | your reservations in advance and ask about their pet |
| them in (just as you do for yourself) or confine them | | | | policy. Under no circumstances should you leave your |
| in a crate. | | | | pet in the car overnight. |
| If it is very warm or very cold, do not leave your | | | | When traveling, keep your pet on their normal |
| pet in the car alone. Be prepared by having a supply | | | | schedule by feeding them and taking them for their |
| of water, food and water/food bowls in the car. You | | | | "walk" as close to the regular time as possible. Be |
| may not find the brand of pet food they are used to | | | | sure to pack a supply of plastic bags to take along |
| where you are going. | | | | on those walks. If you are traveling with a cat, there |
| If your pet is larger than about 15 pounds, and you | | | | are portable kitty litter trays available. Realize that |
| are traveling by air, then you will need a pet crate | | | | your pet is out of their normal surroundings, so be |
| that is compliant with the International Airline | | | | sure and keep them on a leash and watch them |
| Transport Association (IATA) regulations. If you will | | | | closely. Reassure them should they show signs of |
| be staying in a hotel, then the pet crate is the proper | | | | nervousness or anxiety. |
| place to leave your pet while you go out to dinner. | | | | Be considerate of other people. Although there are |
| Make sure that the pet crate is large enough so that | | | | many pet lovers in this world, there are some that |
| your pet can stand up and turn around. Be sure to | | | | do not feel comfortable around pets. Respect others |
| leave an adequate supply of food and water to last | | | | by restraining your pet when necessary. |
| for the period that you will be away. It is also a good | | | | So whether your destination is Grandma's house, a |
| idea to place an absorbent pet pad in the bottom of | | | | mountain cabin or a ski resort in Switzerland your pet |
| the crate that will keep your pet dry in case of | | | | can accompany you with the proper planning. |
| accidents. | | | | International destinations require special veterinary |
| Buy your crate well in advance of your trip so that | | | | certificates, however when traveling to most |
| the pet can get used to it before you travel. Pet | | | | countries, there will be no quarantine of your pet. |
| crates come in two pieces, a top and a bottom. For | | | | |