TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET
By Brittnee Maxfield Photography by assorted contributors
As the Valley heats up, we’re all looking to our calendars and counting down the days until vacation. For many of us, this also means it’s time to start wondering what we’ll be doing with our pets while we’re away. The good news is travelling with your furry best friends is easier than ever. With a growing list of hotels ac- cepting four-legged guests, your entire family can now enjoy vacation time together.
The Valley Animal Center, the Central Valley’s Premier No-Kill Shelter, knows that a pet makes everything bet- ter, including a vacation. That is why they recommend exploring
www.pettravel.com or
www.dogfriendly. com to find fun travel ideas for vacations with your animals. Websites like these not only list dog friendly hotels, but fun places you and your pets are welcome to explore together. Regardless of your destination, it’s important to ensure your pets’ safety while away on vacation. Before hitting the road, review this quick check list of pre-vacation precautions for your animals:
Pre-Vacation Precautions for Your Pet:
Visit a Veterinarian for a checkup to ensure your pet is healthy enough to travel. Should they become sick while you are out of town, it may be difficult for you to locate medical records and ensure your pet regains its health.
Make sure your pet is up to date on all of their vaccinations, and bring records of their vaccination his- tory with you. Keeping your pet safe from diseases is always important, but it is especially critical when you are entering an unfamiliar area. Consult with your Veterinarian about your trip, and see if they recommend any additional vaccines specific to the area you may be travelling to.
Make sure your pet has a current ID tag and embedded microchip identification! Should they become lost, it is important that local animal control facilities have all of the information they need to contact you. Be sure you have a mobile phone listed on the ID tag and microchip record, as you will not be able to answer your home phone while away on vacation.
Keep a printed photograph (and a digital copy on a flash drive if possible) of your pet on you at all times! If your pet does become lost while you are out of town, having a picture handy may help you to locate them. Having access to a digital copy will also help you to quickly spread information around about your missing animal, despite being away from your home computer.
The Valley Animal Center is happy to help you and your pet get ready for vacation through the variety of services offered in our low-cost spay, neuter, and vaccination clinic. This includes microchipping, vaccinations, and even the creation of custom pet ID tags. All of these services are offered to you at a low cost to ensure your pet stays safe and healthy both in and out of town. For more information, please call 559-233-8544 or visit
www.valleyanimal.org.
Fresno Scene Magazine May/June 2010 27
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