Enjoy this article and to help us keep stories fresh and current, support our advertisers by exploring their sites. We appreciate feedback - there's room for your comments below

With the dollar so weak against the Euro we hear from many readers choosing to travel by road within the US and Canada this year. Many of you have asked about traveling with Fido (and even Fluffy the rabbit) and our article last month on getting your travel docs in order prompted questions about documents for your four footed friends.

The following information is available in greater detail at petfriendlytravel.com a website that has many tips for traveling with a furry friend including listings of pet friendly lodgings, vacation rentals, beaches, parks etc. We're not slighting cats. My own 17 year old cat frequently makes the 5 hour trip from home to the cabin but it's my personal choice not to subject her to a major road trip. She's happier in her known lairs.

My travel companion on five trips from Tucson to the San Juan islands (WA) over the past five years has been Hamish, a dog of uncertain origins but no doubt about his charm. I’ve tried various harnesses, doggy seat belts , you name it. Conclusion is that he is far happier in his very large soft sided kennel that fits well in the back of my small SUV. If necessary I can collapse it and take it with me into an hotel room or I remove the bottom lambskin cushion and he still has a familiar bed or place to locate in strange places.

I confess to talking to him as I drive and soliciting his opinion on everything from the weather to time for a stop I can even discuss politics with him as his response to even the most philosophical of questions is "what's for dinner". Traveling with Hamish has greatly enhanced the quality of long road trips for me. I stop every 2-3 hours; have been engaged in conversation by many strangers at rest stops, restaurants and motels and in general find driving to be less stressful under the above conditions. It goes without saying that I take plenty of fresh cold water for the two of us along with healthy snacks. My pet peeve is people who fail to clean up after their dog's poop. No excuse in my book and I’ve been known to offer someone one of my plentiful supply of poop bags.

I check way ahead of time with motels and try to find a dog friendly park in the towns I go through. I give him his main meal early in the morning and no matter where we are, we take a minimum thirty minute walk after breakfast. That sets him up for a series of short walks at rest stops during the day. I feed him a light dinner and there is always a good walk before bed. I seem to be blessed with a good traveler…the strong silent type. One word of caution: check with the motels about their policy re location of pet friendly rooms. La Quinta’s and Motel 8 appear to have a top floor policy…beats me but on first trip with Hamish I learned that he did not know how to climb stairs and neither would he get into an elevator (he weighs 42 lbs so it was an ordeal). He can climb stairs now but there is no way he’ll use an elevator. Some dark secret from his mysterious past before he wound up at the humane society.

Canada:Pet cats and dogs can be imported into Canada for any period of time without quarantine from any country; however, there are different requirements for cats entering from either rabies-free countries or from those countries that Canada does not consider to be free of rabies. Pet cats and dogs must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate, which is issued by a licensed veterinarian, in either English or French and which clearly identifies the cats or dogs and states that they are currently vaccinated against rabies. This certificate should identify the animal as in breed, color, weight, etc., and indicate the name of the licensed rabies vaccine used (trade name), including serial number and duration of validity (up to three years). Canadian Customs does not require you to have a health certificate for your pet, but if the animal is traveling to Canada by air, the commercial airline may require a health certificate. Contact your airline for additional information on their requirements.

Mexico: US visitors to Mexico may bring a dog or cat by presenting the following certificates at the border: a pet health certificate signed by a registered veterinarian in the United States and issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico and a pet vaccination certificate showing that the animal has been treated for rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis. Certification by Mexican consular authorities is not required for the health or vaccination certificate. A permit fee is charged at the time of entry into Mexico.

United States: (including US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico but not Hawaii). Pets taken out of the United States are subject upon return, to the same regulations as those entering for the first time. Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, some states require vaccination of cats for rabies, so it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination. A general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet dogs and cats into the US although some airlines or states may require them.

Hawaii: Dogs and cats meeting specific pre and post arrival requirements may qualify for 5-Days–Or-Less quarantine or direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection. Dogs and cats not meeting all of the specific 5-Day-Or-Less program requirements must be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival In Hawaii.

• If your dog is not well socialized and comfortable around strangers and in particular children, don’t expose him to such situations. You might want to evaluate the benefits of traveling with the dog to both you and the dog versus leaving him in a boarding kennel or with a house sitter when you travel.
• Keep him on a leash at all times when in unfamiliar surroundings. Not everyone loves your dog! (tough but true) and a crotch sniffer, jumper, slobberer is NOT always welcome. Keep a short leash and if people approach you let them know “he jumps/sniffs" etc. Give people the option to keep their distance.
• At pet friendly restaurants and cafes keep your dog close to your feet and out of the way of the feet of other people. Never feed him from table plates and never let him up on a chair. I was somewhat appalled this last summer (and I’m the ultimate love me love my dog type) to see at a coffee shop along my trip a couple of young women place their miniature pooches on the table top and pour water into saucers. Bring along his own water bowl and food dish or ask the waiter for a disposable plate or bowl.
• Never tie your dog to a chair and table and leave! Neither item is strong enough to withstand a tug from an spooked animal. If there is not a sturdy fence available it might be best, if you have to leave the dog whilst you order, to leave him in the car until you can remain at your table with him.
• As a general rule, I always double check with an establishment before unloading Hamish as to whether or not he is welcome on the patio.
• If, like Hamish, your dog has never met a person or dog he doesn’t like, always ask before getting close. My usual line is “he’s very friendly and wants to say hello”. I’m rarely turned down.
• Don’t be put off by a vacation rental that says “NO PETS”. Without exception , when I have called, described my dog and my own responsibility as a pet owner, I have been able to negotiate specific refundable deposit terms for renting a vacation place with Hamish. If the owner says “keep the dog off beds and furniture” be serious about undertaking that responsibility.

• Micro chips are great but a stranger cannot read them! Always make sure that your pet's tags are up to date with a phone number that will be answered whilst you are o the road! Amazing how many people are in Oregon and their Michigan home phone number is on the dog’s tag. I picked up a stray at a road side rest area last year with just that situation. Carry a spare tag or two. Dogs lose their tags and a spare costs a couple of dollars.

• If your dog has any chronic medical issues check with your vet before traveling and make sure that you have a list of all medications. Some vets will recommend a simple doggy first aid kit. I’ve never used one but I have used my tweezers to remove burrs from a paw and living in the Arizona desert has made a wide toothed comb an invaluable first aid tool for removing cactus. Check that rabies, heartworm are up to date. Tell your vet where you are going…he/she may know of health issues (Lyme disease) specific to the area. Carry a copy of any vacination certificates with you Should an emergency arise and you have to either board your dog or ship him home by air, you’ll need that documentation. If you are crossing the border into Canada or Mexico , chances are that you’ll be asked for a recent “certificate of good health” signed by a vet.

• Keep your car cool and well ventilated. Stop at a minimum every three hours. NEVER leave a dog in a car with the windows rolled up. Every year many dogs die of heat stroke under such conditions and the owner’s response is usually a defensive “we were only gone for a few minutes.” And cute as it looks and as much as he enjoys it, riding with his head out the window opens Fido to serious eye injury.
  
  I always carry a 15ft. length of rope. Tying up my dog is not my chosen method for containing him in an emergency situation but it is best to be prepared.
  
  Useful web sites
  www.ask-the-vet.com common sense answers to on the road questions.
  www.petswelcome.com good resource for pet friendly lodgings and recreation places.
  www.hsus.org (especially good section on emergency planning for your animals wellbeing)
  www.pettravel.com complete list of airline regulations, approved carriers plus tips for traveling with a cat.
  www.petfriendlytravel.com lots of lodging, eating and on the road etiquette tips including vacation rentals, leash laws in parks and beaches.
  www.dogfriendly.com lodging guide for travel with dogs.
  
  Suggested reference books
  
  Dogfriendly.com Lodging Guide For Travel With Dogs
  Dogfriendly.com Campgrounds and RV Parks For Dog Travelers
  Dogfriendly.com United States And Canada Dog Travel Guide
  Dogfriendly.com California And The West Dog Travel Guide
  
  

Let's Talk...Comment Now:   2 comments, Add Yours Now

Please sign in below to add your comment. If you have not signed up as a member yet,
Register for a Free Membership