Keep Your Pets in Your PCS Plans
A few helpful pet travel tips.
by Emily McKinley
Moves have our furry, feathery and scaly friends on the road with us more than most people imagine and the upheaval is difficult for everyone. It’s necessary to take precautions and prepare for travels to ensure the safety of family companions.
Weigh Your Options
Before committing to a specific mode of travel, weigh the options for transporting your pet from one duty station to the next. In most cases, those include flying or driving. There are pros, cons and price tags associated with both.
Air Travel:
- Most pets can be transported via air as carry-on baggage, checked baggage or unaccompanied cargo.
- Costs associated with each mode depend upon the airline, size and number of pets, itinerary and special needs.
- Additionally, sky-bound pets must be up-to-date on all shots and will need a certificate of health from a veterinarian.
Car Travel:
- Pets require stops, exercise, food, water and pet-friendly lodging along the way.
- Expect extra lodging costs as you seek out pet-friendly areas and drop “doggy” deposits for anticipated damage to the room.
- Driving pets may mean building in buffer time for the unexpected pet illness or an unauthorized adventure.
- Contain your pets to a safe area of the vehicle; ideally in a crate or cage
- Carry with you an excess of food and water for pets and passengers.
Comfort Considerations
- Test short road trips to forecast how your pet will perform.
- Some animals suffer from motion sickness and others from extreme levels of anxiety.
- Talk to your veterinarian if you anticipate these or other medically-manageable problems.
- Provide comfort and stimulation items for your pets, just as you would for the rest of the family.
- Clean up after your pet, mind regulations of businesses prohibiting animals and, especially when traveling by air, be considerate of other passengers.
Foreign Travel
- Investigate immunization and quarantine requirements well in advance of travel.
- Some destinations require months of quarantine at the expense of the pet owner.
- Remember that housing options, especially on international bases, may be limited and may exclude pets from quarters.
- Call ahead to the relocation assistance program at the new duty station to get specific information about pet regulations.
Saying Goodbye
If you must find a new home for an animal, contact a local rescue (breed specific rescues are available) to discuss the possibility of leaving your pet behind. A reputable organization will work hard to place your pet with a family that will meet its needs. Please, do not abandon your pet. Domesticated animals are not able to fend for themselves and become a danger to themselves and others.
Pack up your family and pets and enjoy this summer’s PCS adventure. Wherever the road may lead, reach your destination safely and without any unwanted or unanticipated pet adventures.
Did You Know?
Some pet owners may find themselves subject to ticketing and other consequences if they violate pet safety laws, specifically regarding leaving pets in cars. Many hotels will send guests packing if they leave their pets unattended in a hotel room.
Safety Tip
- Always collar pets with updated tags to ensure fast recovery of a runaway.
- Consider microchip implants your dogs and cats.