Traveling with pets can be an exciting adventure, but it requires careful planning to ensure their health, safety, and comfort. Whether you’re planning a short trip or an international journey, this guide provides comprehensive information to help you prepare. We also cover the latest CDC regulations, providing you with resources to learn more about the new guidelines.
Table of Contents
Ensuring Your Pet's Health and Safety During Travel
Routine Check-Ups: Schedule a veterinary appointment before your trip to ensure your pet is in good health. Discuss travel plans with your vet to address any specific health concerns. Have the vet scan the microchip during your pet’s routine check-up to ensure the microchip is easily scannable at all times.
Vaccinations and Preventatives: Ensure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and preventatives, such as flea, tick, and heartworm medications. This is particularly important for international travel.
Comfortable Carrier: Choose an airline-approved carrier that is comfortable and spacious enough for your pet to stand, turn, and lie down. Familiarize your pet with the carrier well in advance of your trip.
Hydration and Feeding: Keep your pet well-hydrated during travel. Feed them a light meal a few hours before departure to avoid travel sickness.
How To Prepare For a Smooth Journey
Health Certificates: Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian. This document should detail your pet’s health status, vaccinations, and microchip information.
Travel Kit: Pack a travel kit with essentials such as food, water, medications, waste bags, a leash, and a blanket or toy to comfort your pet.
Identification Tags: Ensure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag that includes your contact information.
Microchipping: Microchip your pet and register the chip with a reliable database like the BC Pet Registry. Be sure to ask the vet for an ISO-compliant microchip. Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification, increasing the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Why is an ISO-compliant microchip important?
An ISO-compliant microchip ensures universal compatibility with standard scanners worldwide, crucial for international pet travel and reliable identification. If a microchip does not meet ISO standards, it may not be detected by universal scanners, making it difficult for finders to identify the pet registry where the pet owner’s information is stored. All microchips sold by the BC Pet Registry are ISO-compliant. Please ask our partnered veterinarians about microchipping.
Traveling By Air? Start By Understanding Airline Pet Policies
Different airlines have specific policies for traveling with pets. It’s crucial to check with your airline about their requirements, which may include:
- Pet Carrier Specifications: Ensure your pet carrier meets airline standards.
- Health Certificates: Some airlines require a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within a certain timeframe before travel.
- Temperature Restrictions: Airlines may have temperature restrictions for pet travel, especially for breeds prone to respiratory issues.
Staying Updated with CDC Pet Travel Regulations
Starting August 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will mandate
all dogs entering the United States to have an ISO-compatible microchip as part of their new requirements. This microchip must be implanted before any required rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must be documented on all veterinary records and required forms. These regulations are in place to prevent the spread of rabies and other diseases, ensuring the health and safety of both pets and humans.
Key Points:
- Microchip Requirement: Dogs must have an ISO-compatible microchip.
- Rabies Vaccination: Must be administered after the microchip is implanted.
- Documentation: All forms and veterinary records must include the microchip number.
For more detailed information about the microchip component of this new regulation and how to comply, please refer to our previous blog post: New CDC Travel Regulations for Bringing Dogs into the U.S..
For official guidelines and additional details on other requirements, visit the CDC’s official page.
Inspiring Success Stories of Reunited Pets
Having permanent IDs (e.g. microchips) and registering your pet with the BC Pet Registry significantly increase the chances of a joyful reunion if your pet gets lost. Beyond meeting the CDC’s requirements for travel, there are numerous benefits to registering your pet’s microchip. Here are some heartwarming stories that illustrate these benefits:
- Cleo’s Incredible Journey: Cleo was reunited with her owner thanks to her tattoo code registered microchip. Read more about Cleo’s story.
- Norman’s Homecoming: Norman was found and returned amidst a storm thanks to his microchip. Discover Norman’s story here.
These success stories demonstrate the critical role of microchipping and registering with the BC Pet Registry in ensuring that lost pets can be identified and returned to their families. The benefits of registration go beyond compliance with travel regulations, offering peace of mind and a reliable method for reuniting with lost pets.
Ensuring a Smooth and Stress-Free Journey for Your Pet
Traveling can be stressful for pets, but with careful planning and preparation, you can make the journey more comfortable and enjoyable for them. Here are some simple but practical tips:
Comfort Items: Include familiar items in your pet’s carrier, such as a favorite blanket or toy. These items can provide comfort and reduce anxiety by reminding your pet of home.
Calming Aids: Consider using natural calming aids like pheromone sprays or treats. In some cases, prescribed medication from your veterinarian can help reduce travel anxiety. Always consult your vet before giving any calming aids to your pet.
Frequent Breaks: If traveling by car, plan for regular stops to allow your pet to stretch, relieve itself, and have a drink of water. These breaks can help reduce stress and make the journey more manageable for both you and your pet.
Proper Hydration and Feeding: Ensure your pet is well-hydrated during the journey. Offer water regularly and feed them a light meal a few hours before departure to avoid travel sickness.
Gradual Acclimatization: Get your pet used to the travel carrier well before the trip. Place the carrier in your home and let your pet explore it freely. Gradually introduce short car trips to help your pet acclimate to the movement and environment.
By following these tips, you can help ensure a safe, comfortable, and stress-free journey for your pet.
Be a Part of the 80% Responsible Owners
During our recent events, we scanned hundreds of pets, all with microchips implanted. Only to discover that approximately 20% of the pets’ microchips are not linked to any registries in North America. We recommend all pet owners to double check their pet’s registration and directly registering with us. All you need is the microchip number and/or tattoo code to start the online registration process. For a small, one-time fee of $45, your pet will be protected for a lifetime and you will also have contributed to the life-saving work of the BC SPCA.
Conclusion
Traveling with pets requires thorough preparation to ensure their health, safety, and comfort. By following these guidelines, you can provide a safe and smooth travel experience for your furry friend. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, microchipping your pet and registering with the BC Pet Registry not only meets regulatory requirements but also offers invaluable peace of mind. Knowing that your pet can be easily identified and returned if lost is a comforting thought for any pet owner. Start your journey on the right paw by ensuring your pet’s microchip is registered today. Click here for more information on registering your pet’s microchip.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of microchipping my pet?
Microchipping provides a permanent form of identification that significantly increases the chances of reuniting lost pets with their owners.
Q: How does the BC Pet Registry ensure the safety of my pet’s information?
The BC Pet Registry uses a secure, centralized database that is accessible by authorized veterinarians and shelters, ensuring your pet’s information is safe and traceable.
Q: Is microchipping painful for my pet?
Microchipping is a quick and virtually painless procedure, comparable to a routine vaccination.
Q: What should I do if my pet is lost?
Immediately update your pet’s microchip information with the BC Pet Registry and contact local shelters and veterinary clinics.
Q: How can I participate in future microchipping clinics?
Keep an eye on the BC Pet Registry website and social media channels for announcements about upcoming clinics.
Q: Why choose the BC Pet Registry?
The BC Pet Registry is the only non profit registry in Canada that is determined to achieve social change. We have donated over 6000 microchips to rescue groups and subsidized over 10,000 spay/neuter animals. We are able to give back to our own community because of the support from people like you!
