How to Travel With a Pet Safely | Global Visa Application and Requirements

A travel plan becomes better when your family is also a part of it. For pet owners, their pet is like a regular family member. This makes traveling with a pet, a memorable and enjoyable experience that cannot be achieved while traveling alone. However, traveling with a pet requires thorough research and proper planning to ensure that no harm comes to your furry friend.

A travel plan with a pet can vary depending on many factors. So, keep reading to find out how you can travel with a pet safely.

When it comes to traveling with your pet, there are several things you must do before you start planning a trip with your pet.

Many countries have strict policies you need to adhere to when traveling with a pet. In conjunction with a country’s policies, you also need to check the requirements to enter your pet into the airlines, if you traveling via airplane.

Aside from the rules of airlines and countries, your pet must be fit for travel as well. To ensure this, remember to visit and consult your veterinarian. Just like health requirements and vaccination for yourself, you must know the required vaccinations, medicines, and certificates that your pet will need during the journey.

Before you go ahead with your actual travel plan, ensure you have all the necessary supplies for your pet to make the journey hassle-free.

All of these things will ensure you have a smooth travel with your pet along with providing your pet with maximum comfort and safety during the journey.

Just like yourself, your pet will also require several documents before you will be allowed to bring them along for the travel. You will need to research the exact documents needed as they will be different depending on the mode of transport you use and the country to which you are traveling.

Generally, you will require the following documents when traveling with a pet:

• Health Certificate – The health certificate of your pet shows whether your pet is carrying any contagious diseases. You can obtain this certificate for your vet. Sometimes, you will need to get this certificate signed by a board certified veterinarian.
• Your Pet’s Passport – This passport can also be obtained from your vet and includes information regarding yourpet’s vaccination record, identification details, and other health-related information.
• Microchip Certificate – A lot of countries require that your pet has a microchip embedded in them to allow for proper identification. To prove the existence of this microchip and to ensure the officials that the chip works correctly, you will need to get a microchip certificate. This microchip certificate also has the number of the microchip needed to identify the pet.
• Import/Export Permit – An import/export permit is required in certain countries before they allow your pet. To obtain this permit, you will need to find the appropriate government authority.
• Dog Rabies Vaccination Certificate – If you are traveling with a dog, then you will require a rabies vaccination certificate from your vet to prove that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies. This is necessary to comply with the disease control policies of many countries.
• Other Travel Documents – When prepping your pet for travel, make sure to double check you have all your travel documents and visa for yourself and other group members if any. You can visit Visa Checker Tool to see which visas you need and instantly apply for visas online.

To ensure a comfortable and easy journey for your pet, you should pack all necessary items to prepare for every situation. Make sure you have the following items during the trip:

1. Food and Water – Make sure to pack enough food and water for your pet during the trip. Consider bringing some extra food and water. These will come in handy if your travel experiences some delay or other circumstances. Make sure to pack all the pet food and water in airtight containers and don’t forget to bring separate bowls for food and water.
2. Medicines – If your veterinarian has prescribed any medication for your pet, then make sure to bring enough of it to last through the entire journey.
3. Pet’s Bed – At home, if your pet has a bed or blanket they are familiar with, then bring those along with you. They will help keep your pet calm in unfamiliar territory.
4. Their Favourite Toys – Your pet’s favourite toys will also allow them to stay occupied and entertained during the travel.
5. Collars and Leashes – A collar and leash will allow you to protect your pet from getting lost. Ensure that the pet is wearing their identification tag to help identify them in case they get lost.
6. Waste Bags and Pee Mat – It is essential that you bring a lot of waste bags to clean up after your pet. Ensure the waste is disposed of properly. In case your travel does not allow for much outdoor travel like during air travel, pee mats are a good option to deal with animal waste.
7. A Basic First Aid Kit – A first aid kit that includes adequate bandages, tweezers, antiseptic, and other grooming materials like nail clippers and brush can be very useful to treat your pet during travel for any illness or minor injuries they may suffer.

Traveling with a pet can be challenging if your pet is not used to the transportation method you opted for. So, let’s see how to prepare your pet for different types of transportation modes.

When you are traveling via airlines, make sure your pet has had all the vaccinations and pack all the necessary medicines for the journey. Remember to not feed your pet for several hours before the flight.

If your preferred means of transport is through a boat, then make sure your pet is used to traveling on the water. This can be achieved by taking your pet on short boat trips. Another major factor during travel by boat is to ensure the pet’s safety.

For this, you can get a crate or a comfortable bed along with a harness and a life jacket to ensure your pet is safe during the trip.

Train travel is by far the easiest travel means for a pet. However, one issue you may face on a train trip is space. To help with this, make sure you book your seats in advance to get one for your pet. This will ensure you don’t lack the space, necessary for your pet to enjoy themselves.

In a travel plan where your mode of transport is your car, then you need to make sure your car has enough space for the pet to stay comfortable. Bring their chew toys and remember to take several breaks during the trip to allow your pet to stretch themselves and have a bathroom break.

Traveling with a pet can be a very memorable and enjoyable experience; however, it also requires a lot more planning and care to ensure your pet is healthy throughout the travel. There are a lot of things to keep track of when planning a trip with your pet. Hence, we recommend that you plan your trip with an expert service provider, who will ensure you have all the required documents for your pet’s travel.

This will ensure that you and your pet can enjoy your time together without any health or compliance issues. Lastly, make sure you apply for the right visa for yourself and trip companions.

READ MORE:
International permits are, essentially, a translation of your driver’s license. These documents are necessary for you to be able to drive a car in a foreign country. An international permit is not a replacement for your original driver’s license; instead, it is an extension of its utility. Learn more at A Guide To International Permits.