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Summer
Vacations Require Special Planning For Pets
Release
provided by The Humane Society of the United States
Washington
- Wherever you choose to spend your vacation this summer,
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) reminds pet
owners to include pets in vacation planning. Options include
taking pets along on vacations or leaving them home. Whatever
your decision, advance planning is the key to reduce the stress
on you and your pet.
Pets
Welcome, which is available from The HSUS, lists pet-friendly
hotels across the country. If you’re staying with friends
or relatives, be sure to ask whether your furry friends are
welcome before planning to bring them along.
If taking
your pet along isn’t practical, some alternatives to
having your pets accompany you on your trip are: have a responsible
friend or relative look after your pet, leave your pet at
a known kennel, or hire a professional pet-sitter to care
for your pet. Most cats would experience a high level of stress
from being taken out of a comfortable environment so The HSUS
reminds cat owners to consider that their companions aren’t
"low maintenance" pets who can fend for themselves
for several days.
If your
pet will join you on your trip, The HSUS offers some tips:
- Have
your veterinarian check your pet to determine if he or she
is up for the rigors of travel. Also be sure to verify whether
pets are allowed at your destination. Additional vaccinations,
heartworm testing, preventative medication, and/or a health
certificate may be needed for interstate travel.
- Avoid
traveling by airplane during hot weather. Never place short-nosed
animals such as Boston Terriers or Pekingese or Persian
cats in the cargo area since they have short nasal passages
that do not give hot air a chance to cool before it reaches
their lungs.
- Always
have fresh water and your pet's food available.
- Pets
riding in cars should be restrained in a carrier or on a
harness. Dogs should not ride in the back of pickup trucks.
- Never
leave your pet unattended in a parked car. It only takes
minutes for fatal overheating, and unattended pets could
be stolen.
- Always
keep your pet under control with a leash, harness or carrier.
- An
identification tag is your pet’s best protection if
you and your pet become separated.
The HSUS
is the nation’s largest animal protection organization
with more than seven million members and constituents. For
more information, visit us on the Internet at www.hsus.org.
To order Pets Welcome, go to www.hsus.org/marketplace/catalog/html
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www.dogandkennel.com
