Before taking a long trip by car, it is helpful if you can take your pet for short rides in its carrier so that it becomes accustomed to being confined. Some pets have only been in their carriers during trips to the veterinarian, so they associate the carrier and car ride wi
If you will be staying in motels, hotels, or campgrounds along the way, check ahead of time to ensure that the establishment will accept pet visitors and what (if any) extra fees or restrictions there might be. Sources of information include the hotel’s phone or
A multitude of diseases and parasites might be encountered in a foreign environment. The disease-causing organisms that animals may harbor have the potential to produce serious consequences. For example, in 2003 an outbreak of monkeypox in people in the United States was traced to Gambian giant rats, which carried the virus from Afri
Vaccination requirements vary from country to country. All dogs and cats should be vaccinated against rabies before they leave the United States. Rabies may be a nonexistent threat in some areas of the world, for example, in the United Kingdom, but may become an
The regulations for travel with animals are extensive and may seem burdensome (Government Agencies and Other Organizations with Information on Pet Travel
In the US, Amtrak now allows some pets (cats and dogs up to 20 pounds) to travel on some routes. Additional restrictions may apply, and you should contact Amtrak for details. In Europe
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 provides regular voyages between the Unites States and England. However, the number of spaces alloted for pets is limited and they remain in a kennel during the voyage, not in the owner's cabin. For those individuals traveling by ocean line
The American Veterinary Medical Association provides thorough recommendations for air travel with pets; these apply to travel both inside and out of the US. Their recommendations inclu
As the health benefits of pet ownership become more widely understood, there has been a greater effort to include pets in health research and practices. Involving animals as a type of therapy for the sick or elderly is becoming more popular. Many pet owners volun
The company of a pet relaxes and entertains people, but the benefits of pet ownership go beyond simple joy. Studies have shown that keeping a pet improves the health and well-being of the people in the household. During stressful times, the comfort of a pet prote