Choice Convenience for Traveling with Pets
At Choice hotels, we welcome you to bring your family pet along the next time you travel. Our many pet-friendly hotels, motels,
and inns throughout the United States provide a comfortable stay and make pet-travel convenient and easy.
Keep Them Identifiable
It is important that your pet have ID tags at all times that include relevant phone numbers and your street address.
Health Certificate May be Needed
You may need to acquire a health certificate from your veterinarian before traveling. Check with the appropriate authorities
to ensure that you comply with all regulations well in advance of your travel date.
Planning for Emergencies
Emergencies can happen at any time. When away from home emergencies can become much more difficult to deal with, especially
if you haven't planned ahead! Here are a few tips...
- Before you leave on vacation get your veterinarian's name, address and phone number and an emergency number if they have one.
- Get a copy of your pet's medical records, health and vaccination certificate, and any prescriptions. This is very important
to remember if you are traveling out of the country.
- Prepare a list of emergency contacts and, if possible, call ahead to locate veterinarians at your destination.
Vet Ideas
Before you go, gather information regarding veterinarians in the area of your destination: Ask your own vet if she/he has
any associates in the area.
- Check with members of newsgroups on the web for vets who are trusted and low cost. Rescue groups often have this information,
and many are very involved with newsgroups.
- Check on hours of availability. You may need to have two names handy, one for normal hours, and one for after hour emergencies.
- Keep the address and phone number of the vets you've found with your vaccination records.
Know the conditions
If you are out in the desert, mountains, or ocean be sure that you are prepared for the special challenges with each type
of terrain.
- Desert: Keep your dog close to you and bring water. It's easy for animals to get lost and run out of water in the desert.
- Ocean: If your dog gets in the water, you should probably be there too - it's a simple rule.
- Mountains: Be sure that there are no indigenous animals who may not like meeting your dog. Be sure to check with park rangers
for advice on such possible encounters. The types of animals vary by location across the United States.
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Traveling with Dogs
Traveling with your dog can be fun and challenging. Dogs have special needs that we might not realize. We've listed a few
things to keep in mind when traveling with your dog.
When going on a trip with your dog make sure to have the following:
- Kennel
- Food, water, and bowls
- Short leash, long leash/extractable leash
- Info tag on collar
- Favorite toy and blanket
- Health certificate
- A sweater if traveling somewhere cold
- Grooming supplies: brush, comb, shampoo, conditioner
- Plastic bags
- Favorite treat
- Anything you think would make your dog more comfortable during the trip.
- Dogs will need to get out and stretch during the journey, so be sure to stop as frequently as the journey will allow
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Traveling with Cats
When traveling with cats, always make sure that their carrier is clean and fresh. There are a couple of steps required to
accomplish this: First, line the bottom of the carrier with newspaper. Second, put an old blanket or towel on top. These simple
steps will keep you and your cat happy.
- Don't forget to pack fresh newspaper and old towels or blankets, so that every time you stop you can put in fresh newspaper
and a blanket in the crate, if necessary. When it is time to change the crate you'll be happy to have the extra supplies handy.
- If you want to take your cat outside to stretch, be sure to keep him on a leash or harness as he is going to want to find
his way home, even if it is thousands of miles away!
- If you are going to be traveling in the car for more than two hours, make sure you bring a container of fresh, cool water
for your cat. Remember to stop a few times during the trip to give him a drink of water.
- All of the steps above should keep your cat very calm and relaxed during the trip. If he gets calm enough you may let him
sit on your lap, but the windows have to be shut. Also, keep the air conditioning on.
- Music for Cats? - This is entirely up to you, but some owners like to play soothing music in an effort to get their cats to
"cat nap" during the journey.
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On The Road With Your Pet
The car is packed and you've hit the road with your pet. What do you do when you need to stop? Here's some handy pointers
to keep your pet safe while on the road.
- Rest Stops Do's and Dont's
Don't allow your pet to run loose at rest areas. A pet can become lost, run into traffic, or get involved in a fight with
another animal. You should also never leave your pet unattended in the car for any substantial period of time, especially
during warm or cold weather. A car parked in the sun can quickly become overheated and don't forget, shade moves. Additionally,
your pet can become a target for theft. If you want to leave your car for any length of time and cannot bring your pet, contact
a local kennel or veterinarian for their rates.
- Keep Your Pet Comfortable
It is important to check out the air conditioning unit in your car before traveling - make sure it works. Also it's a good
idea to bring a portable fan that is car-ready. Obviously, it is critical to keep plenty of fresh, cool drinking water available
for your pet at all times. Also apply sunshades to back windows and the tailgate window (the kind you can see out of to drive
safely).
- Nothing In, Nothing Out
If you do not feed or water your animal right before you leave, they are less likely to need frequent stops. However, it's
still good to get them out for a stretch, but they won't have to go out as much.
- Keep Them Safe
Be sure to restrain your pet, using a pet seat belt or secured carrier. To keep your pet safe, don't let them ride in the
back of trucks or stick their heads out the window.
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Airline Travel With Pets
Traveling by plane with your pet can be a traumatic experience. The view from fido's seat isn't quite the same view you've
got. Here's some things you can do to make your pet's journey a bit more enjoyable.
- If traveling by air, take your pet out for a good exercise 30 minutes before you leave for the airport.
- When you get to the airport take your pet and let him go to the bathroom. If your pet is going in the cabin with you bring
a few ice cubes in a bag and let the pet eat them every few hours.
- Bring a blanket of some sort to put over the crate when getting on and off the plane so the dog can't see out and get scared.
- If your pet is going in cargo and the flight is under three hours, put a bowl of frozen water in the kennel so the dog can
drink it without worrying about it spilling.
- Be sure to check with your airline in regard to temperature restrictions on cargo shipments of pets. Every carrier has different
rules.
- An airline approved carrier/crate will make traveling easier for you and your pet.
- Make sure that your pet has contact information attached to with information regarding your contact information while on your
trip. For example, your cell phone number, hotel info, relative nearby, etc.
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