There’s been a lot of unpleasant stories going around the internet regarding pet travel. Back in March 2018, a flight attendant from United Airlines made a dog spend the entire flight in the overhead cabin, leading to its death due to suffocation. The day after that, another dog also flying on the same airline got into the wrong country because there was a mistake in handling the content of the cargo hold. When the weekend came, an eight-week-old puppy flying on Delta Air Lines was sent to Las Vegas instead of Boise. Due to the string of problems that arose in just a few days, United Airlines suspended their PetSafe program temporarily to undergo a thorough review.
So, how would you make traveling with your pets safer? Will a pet carrier with wheels ensure that your furry friends are in good hands while you’re on the go? How does it make your travels hassle-free? Read on to find out!
What You Need to Know About Pet Travel
The chain of events related to the transportation of domesticated animals in 2018 prompted pet owners to call for safer flights for pets. Although the incidents caused serious issues, there was a silver lining as it resulted in some airlines reviewing their policies for pet travel.
However, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. A report by the Department of Transportation found that 24 animals were killed while 15 were injured while they were placed in the cargo hold back in 2017. These incidents also happened mostly on United Airlines flights. The majority of these events might have been avoided if the owners used a more durable, extra large pet carrier on wheels to add more protection for their pets.
For some people, the risk might outweigh the benefits when it comes to traveling with their furry friends, but some don’t have a choice. Still, others have found the best strategies when bringing along their pets by plane, train, and car. In fact, the number of Americans traveling with their pets has significantly increased in recent years.
Traveling Safely with Pets on Trains
Trains are a great way to travel with your cats or dogs, especially if they’re still small. For several years now, pets weighing 20 lbs and below have been allowed to board a train in routes that take less than seven hours to reach the destination.
Traveling with a pet on a train is also more affordable than flying, but you still need to book your tickets early as there’s a limit of 5 animals per train. You should also remember some of these rules:
- Your pets must be placed under the seats and be confined in a labeled pet carrier with wheels. Your carrier must also have a maximum dimension of 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches. However, you must see to it that the size allows your furry friend to be comfortable inside and do reasonable movements.
For carriers without wheels, you have to be strong enough to handle the weight of both your pet and the carrier. But you can always get a pet trolley, such as the Pet-Trek®: 4 wheel Spinner Trolley, to make carrying your dog or cat around so much easier.
- Your cat or dog must be older than 8 weeks old, pose no harm to other passengers, and healthy.
- You are also required to sign a document which states that your pet has recently received the required vaccines, and you accept liability for your pet’s safety.
If you need to board a plane to reach your destination, then you should also get an airline-approved pet carrier.
How to Have Safer Road Trips with Pets
Driving is one of the most popular modes of traveling with pets. In a way, it gives you more control of the trip. You can go at your own pace, bring as many things as you can, and keep your dog or cat at arm’s reach for the whole trip. It also doesn’t cause much stress on them, as flying would.
Still, there are things to keep in mind to ensure road trips with pets go without a hitch.
Fasten seatbelts.
People need to buckle up, but pets should be no different. An unharnessed dog or cat can cause a distraction while you’re driving, not to mention that they can become a fatal projectile when an accident happens.
It’s also a requirement in several states, which charge pet owners with distracted driving if they allow their dog or cat to sit on their laps while on the road. The same with allowing their heads to peek out of the car window.
It’s also more convenient if you use a pet carrier with wheels and handle, especially when you have to walk around your destination.
Take pit stops along the way.
You need to stop once in a while to give your pets time to stretch and move their legs or go potty. It also helps them adjust to the new environment more easily. However, you need to keep them on a leash at all times to prevent them from running away.
It’s also more convenient to bring a rolling pet carrier with you, in case your trip requires you to take long walks.
Never leave your furry friends alone in the car.
Any animal will have a higher risk of overheating and suffocation when left alone inside a car for a long period of time. This can happen especially during summer when the temperature inside the cabin of a car can go up quickly in just a few minutes even if the windows are slightly open.
On a similar note, it’s also dangerous to leave them alone in the car during the winter as the temperature inside the car might get so low.
Conclusion
Although traveling with your pets can come with a huge risk, making smart decisions, doing proper planning, and investing in a durable, high-quality pet carrier with wheels will make things a whole lot easier and safer. It will lead to a hassle-free trip with your favorite pup or kitten to your dream destination.