Taking your pet home for the holidays? Here's some travel tips
Are your pets heading home for the holidays with you for the first time this year?
More people may be looking to travel with their dogs this year instead of putting them in a kennel in the wake of a mysterious canine respiratory illness that has been reported all over the country.
If you are traveling with your pets this year, the Humane Society has some tips for traveling with your furry family members.
Graphics explain: What is the mysterious respiratory illness affecting dogs across the US?
Before you go
Make sure vaccinations are up to date and that you have a copy of your pet's vet records on hand in case you need them to check into a hotel.
Also make sure you have any pet medications (daily medications, anti-nausea, anti-anxiety, etc.) packed up securely and any prescriptions are filled before your trip.
Be sure to watch for symptoms of coughing and sneezing, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, wheezing or nasal whistling, dehydration, difficulty exercising, fever, nasal or eye discharge, loss of appetite, weight loss, or lethargy.
More: Advice from Purdue veterinarians, experts, BOAH on the atypical respiratory illness in dogs
Don't travel if your dog is sick and stay away from sick dogs.
Make sure the pet is microchipped and has proper identification. Make sure they have a collar, ID tag and leash when traveling.
Do some research and find an emergency vet near where you are staying and save the phone number for the clinic in case of an emergency.
Driving or flying are both common methods of transportation, but there is a lot to consider when bringing along your pets.
Before deciding which will be best for your pet, here are some things to consider:
Tips for Driving
Keep your pets in the backseat of your car. If an airbag deploys in the front seat, it could injure your pet, so the backseat is the safest place for them.
Don't let your dogs roam around in the car. For their safety, have them wear a seatbelt or dog restraints to make sure they are secure in case of a crash.
Keep your cat in its carrier. Cats aren't usually comfortable riding in cars so their carrier is the safest place for them. Securing it with a seatbelt will ensure it doesn't bounce around while on the road.
Make sure your pets are safely inside the vehicle at all times. Pets allowed to stick their heads out the window of moving vehicles can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup.
Make plenty of rest stops. Make sure your animals can stretch their legs, exercise and use the bathroom while on the road.
Don't travel solo, if you can avoid it. Whenever possible, it is better to share the driving and pet caretaking duties with a friend or family member to ensure the driver is focused on the road and your pets are supervised when you have to use the bathroom yourself.
Never leave your pet alone in a car. Even a quick pit stop can be too long. Cars can get extremely hot, even if the weather outside is moderate. "On an 85-degree day, even with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside your car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes," the Humane Society said. As a result, your pet could suffer irreversible organ damage or death if left alone for even 30 minutes. Another hazard to remember is that someone could steal your pet when left unattended.
Tips for Flying
Visit your vet before you go. Most airlines require a health certificate for animals, typically issued within 10 days of travel. This is also a good time to ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and that they aren’t battling any illnesses that could be exacerbated by heat or stress.
Bring your pet in the cabin if possible. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline in advance as there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, ensure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, some companies can help you navigate the process of flying with a pet.
Note that service dogs are permitted to fly in the cabinet at no charge, but check with your airline for its requirements.
Be prepared for airport security. Your pet's carrier will have to pass through the security screening along with you. Be sure your pet is securely harnessed so you can safely contain them outside their carrier while it's being x-rayed. Some airports allow you to request a special secondary screening that won't require you to take them out of their carrier, so you may want to check in advance.
If your pet must fly in the cargo hold, here are some tips:
Use direct flights to avoid mistakes during transfers and travel on the same flight as your pet if possible.
Make sure your pet has a collar with identification, contact info and their temporary travel ID. Affix a travel label with contact info on the carrier too.
If traveling during the summer or winter months, choose flights that will accommodate the temperature extremes.
Don't ever ship brachycephalic animals such as Pekingese dogs, bulldogs or Persian cats in the cargo holds.
Pet-friendly hotels in Indianapolis
If you are headed to Indianapolis for the holidays, here are four pet-friendly hotels that will accommodate you and your pets during your stay.
Holiday Inn Express Indianapolis Airport
Address: 6296 Cambridge Way
Distance from airport: 6.8 miles
Pet policy: Pets are allowed. There is a $10 pet deposit per stay and a $25 pet fee per night.
Address: 40 West Jackson Place
Distance from airport: 13.8 miles
Pet policy: Pets under 25 lbs. are allowed There is a $125 non-refundable cleaning fee. Pet must be in kennel when the guest is not in the room. Please present the pet at the Front Desk at check-in.
Candlewood Suites Indianapolis Downtown Medical District
Address: 1152 N White River Parkway West Drive
Distance from airport: 14.1 miles
Pet policy: Cats and dogs each weighing less than 80 lbs. are allowed. There is a non-refundable pet fee of $75 per pet. A pet agreement must be signed at check-in and proof of complete and up-to-date vaccinations required.
Address: 2721 E 86th Street
Distance from airport: 30.5 miles
Pet policy: Pets are allowed. Registration and acknowledgment of the pet policy is required. There is a $20 daily non-refundable pet fee.
Service animals are typically exempt from the pet fees.
Many other hotels in Indy are pet-friendly, be sure to call and check before booking your room.
Katie Wiseman is a trending and breaking news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Holiday travel: Tips for keeping your pets safe while traveling
