Traveling With Pets: An Ultimate Guide

Written by | Last modified on:

People are recommended traveling with pets to handle stress and mental health; whereas some are given medication, some are advised to have a pet/animal to help them recover. The new companion makes one more robust and ready to conquer the world with their newly acquired friend.

If you’ve traveled with a pet, it’s a big deal due to anxieties about the idea. Yes, it is a big deal, but it all depends on how well-prepared you are. If you are already nervous before traveling with your pup, this article is for you!

Laws on Traveling With Pets

Laws on Traveling With Pets

If you live in the USA and are planning to travel with your animal, here are two laws you need to know.

  1. The first one is the Fair Housing Act
  2. and the other one is the Air Carrier Access Act (ACA)

These laws have been implemented if you live with your pet or travel with him.

Related Pick: In-Flight Parenting Hacks: Tips for Flying with Kids

Difference Between Pets and Service Dogs

Difference Between Pets and Service Dogs

Pets are animals that offer their owners therapeutic advantages and emotional support through their love and company. They naturally have a remarkable capacity for forging profound connections with people.

On the other hand, a rigorous procedure is followed for service animals to be recognized as officials. This involves a temperament exam and thorough training to help with activities like stabilizing a person who is having trouble walking, picking up objects, and recognizing the beginning of a seizure, among many others.

Preparations and Packing List

Woman Resting With her Dog

As soon as you have learned all the laws about travel with your pet, it would be best if you prepared by having your packing bag set.

Train your animal to cope with strangers and loud noises. In addition, make sure to pack your pet’s travel kit to include a collar and leash, paper towel, harness, treats, and water.

Moreover, smelling dog shampoo, water bowls, poop bags, emergency first aid kit, and anything else you consider essential.

And don’t forget to go through these ultimate travel hacks for a comfortable journey!

Get Ready for Costs

Bringing your pet will cost you around $125 for each United, Delta, or American Airlines and $100 for Alaska Airlines.

Verify Breed Limitations

Check your airline’s restrictions, as some animals aren’t permitted at all, like only cats and dogs are permitted in America; some birds are allowed in Delta, and rabbits are OK in Alaska.

Certain airlines also impose breed restrictions on the types of animals they let in the cabin/cargo area to protect pets and passengers. For instance, Alaska and America forbid short-nosed animals like pit bulls, pugs, or Himalayan cats in the cargo hold due to breathing issues.

Certain animals can still travel in the cabin if their carrier fits under the seat (charging you a cost, of course).

Traveling Criterias by Modes of Transport

Flying With Your Doggo

Traveling by Plane

While traveling with pets by plane, the Air Carrier Access Act is handy to ensure that your furry friend is in good shape. The owner must have a prescription letter indicating you are the legal owner to ensure your pet’s safety during traveling.

You must remember that different airlines have a problem with traveling with animals. Thus, you should contact them and find out if they are OK with having your pet on board.

The ACA Act has fortunately been supportive in such instances since it requires all airlines to allow you to travel with your pet. Getting in touch with them before your travel day only comes in to help lessen the nightmares that might occur at the airport if the management gives restrictions on your travel.

Traveling With Pets by Car

Traveling by Car

If you plan a long road trip with your emotional support animal (ESA), you must map out the whole journey. This will help you find out if there are animal-friendly shops, restaurants, or hotels around your destination. In addition to that, it will help you in finding out if, indeed, that area has an animal policy.

Prior search is quite essential because as much as we have Acts such as Fair Housing and ACA. They do not legally require hotels or restaurants to allow pets inside. It will, therefore, be chaotic if the hotel management forces you to leave your animal outside the premises.

Traveling by Train

Traveling by Train

It is essential to note that some train operators do not recognize emotional support animals on board. Some of the only animals allowed are the service and therapy dogs since they are believed to have undergone specialized training.

The good news is that other train operators allow them as long as you pay a prescribed fee to have them caged in a kennel. This shows that you must conduct extensive research before booking your train ticket with any operator.

Traveling by Bus

Traveling by Bus

Like trains, some bus service providers do not allow emotional support animals (ESAs) in their buses – only the service and therapy animals are allowed to travel with their owners. The main reason is that they are under no legal obligation to permit the pet’s travel.

Traveling with pets can be very easy if you have prepared well by accessing the prescription letter. Moreover, ensure that you conduct prior research on the pet travel laws before choosing your destination or mode of travel.

Countries With Pet Travel Restrictions

  • Dakar
  • Dubai
  • India
  • Japan
  • Hawaii
  • Iceland
  • Jamaica
  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • Hong Kong
  • South Africa
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • London, England
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Georgetown, Guyana
  • The Republic of Ireland
  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • The United Arab Emirates
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines

Final Words

First and foremost, if you can, take the seat up front as it is typically roomier. The more space you can secure for your pet when flying, the more enjoyable the trip will be and the less stress they exhibit while flying.

Traveling after retirement with a pet would be one of the finest things to do after farewell. So make every effort to ensure a roomy and comfy flight seat.

Let’s not forget that your support animal might not be a trained service dog helping you with a particular impairment. In that scenario, just like any other pet, you must pay for it to board when traveling on any major U.S. airline. If you wish to bring this modification on your next flight, you’ll need to make extra preparations and perhaps spend more money.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *