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Friday, December 03, 2010
Extra cargo
Journal Staff and Wire Report
If you're traveling during the holidays and want to take your pet, make like a Boy Scout: Be prepared.
Whether by plane or car — buses and trains don't take pets, just service dogs — you'll have to think ahead, and more important, call and go online ahead. And if you're opting to leave the pet at home with a pet sitter or boarding facility, call ahead too. Make reservations now; sitters' calendars fill up as quickly as kennels' kennels.
Call ahead to the vet, too. Your pet might need to get up to date on shots, and some airlines ask for a certificate of health. If your dog is prone to car sickness, the vet might prescribe a tranquilizer; if the cat is coming along on your holiday (why?), the vet can help with keeping it calm.
And if you're usually inclined to let the dog jump into the backseat of the car for rides around town, get a harness or safety belt if you don't already have one. It's not just for long trips.
Finally, call ahead to your destination, whether family, friends or hotel, and make sure it's pet-friendly. Don't assume that because you love your dog's company, your hosts will too.
By air
When flying, you can take your pet along as you would luggage, check-in or carry-on.
Fees for carry-on depend on the airline; they run from $75 at Southwest to $125 for Delta and Continental, one way. This applies to cats as well as small dogs, but most people don't take the cat on holiday visits.
Some airlines require reservations for carry-on pets, some don't, but all want you to call ahead to make arrangements. They allow only a certain number of pets in the cabin per flight — seven or eight, usually. It's first come, first served.
Details are on the airlines' websites, so go there before you buy a pet carrier. Not all specifications are the same, but all airlines insist the pet carrier fit, and stay, under the seat in front of you. "Cats and dogs must remain in the carrier (including head and tail)," Southwest says.
Besides carry-on, the two other options, except at Southwest, where it's carry-on only, are the checked-in pet and the cargo pet. Here the rules and restrictions differ by airline, so read up. Check-in details are especially important for avoiding last-minute complications. The cargo pet option is generally reserved for pets traveling alone, which defeats the purpose of taking him with you during the holidays.
The checked-in pet is essentially baggage, put in the airplane's hold like your luggage. Because the crate must be well marked as containing LIVE ANIMAL, with directional arrows, it will receive gentler treatment than your soft-sided TravelPro.
Fees depend on the airline; at American it's $150 "per container," one way. It's $200 at Delta and United charges $250, any size kennel. If you don't have an appropriately sized and safe crate, some airlines will sell you one.
Whether carry-on or checked, visit American Airlines' list of animal relief areas at some airports. (Albuquerque Sunport: "On the lower level. Exit the terminal and turn left.") You'll know where to take your dog for a potty break before you board and as soon as you deplane. Visit www.aa.com and go to the "traveling with pets" section for the link.
No matter how you get there, one rule applies to all forms of pet travel: Make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag, is microchipped, and that you have a photo in case it gets lost.
By car
Car columnist Larry Printz of the Norfolk, Va., Virginian-Pilot, recently wrote about traveling with a dog:
I am sure we all remember a pet we grew up with. For me, it was my dog, a miniature schnauzer named Sparky.
Like his owners, Sparky loved to go places, and a jingle of the keys would make him snap to attention and head for the door, tail wagging.
Yet life in the car wasn't ideal. For starters, my parents bought full-size station wagons, which meant Sparky spent his time in the back. That might sound good, but the rear deck had a metal surface. Given that Detroit cars had lots of body lean when going around corners, this meant my poor dog would scramble for some kind of grip as the car negotiated a turn. Paws scratching, he would usually lose the battle, ending up thrown against one side of the car or another.
I no longer own a dog, but I know that the "station wagon freestyle" is not something I would want my pet to endure.
These days, owners know better, right? If your next car trip includes taking your beloved pet along, here are some safety tips, courtesy of AAA and Toyota:
• Pets should ride in the back seat, either in a harness or attached to a seat belt. Whatever the size or weight of your dog, it's important to ensure that it is properly restrained or secured in your vehicle. Many options exist, including harnesses, carriers, pet car seats and vehicle barriers.
• Never put your dog in the bed of a pickup truck; animals can leap out or be easily thrown. Leashing him or her to the bed isn't advised. A dog can leap out and be dragged. If this sounds far-fetched, it isn't. When was the last time your pet took off after another dog, cat, rabbit or squirrel?
• Many owners allow the dogs to stick their heads out of the window. All sorts of flying debris can injure a dog's eyes.
• Consider feeding your pet a few hours before leaving. AAA says that this is a good way to avoid car sickness. Never feed your dog in a moving car.
• Don't forget to stop occasionally so you and your dog can stretch your legs, and your dog can go potty. This sounds obvious, but make sure your dog is on a leash before the car door is opened.
• Finally, never leave your dog in a parked car. Not only can the car get too cold, but it also puts the pet at risk of being stolen.
In the end, it's all about getting you and your pets over the river and through the woods safely.
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