Furbabies on furlough
How to travel with your pet this holiday season
What happens when the great pandemic pet boom meets the post-vaccination travel boom? This holiday season, industry experts anticipate that a new wave of animal owners will hit the road with the dogs, cats and other creatures they acquired during months of isolation.
But traveling with pets, especially by air, has gotten significantly more complicated. Here’s what experts say people should know about hitting the road — or air, or rails — with pets.
FLYING WITH PETS IS TRICKIER NOW:
People who last flew with their pets before the pandemic face a whole new set of rules. The easy days of flying with an emotional support animal free are gone. Since the beginning of this year, only trained service dogs have been allowed to fly in the cabin at no extra charge. That is because of new federal rules that enabled airlines to crack down on pet-toting passengers.
Now, travelers who want to fly with their small pets — typically cats and dogs, though some airlines are more flexible — must pay a fee and put animals in carriers that fit under a seat. Costs run from $95 to $125 each way, depending on the airline. Pets that do not fit under the seat can travel as cargo, but the number of airlines that offer that service has dropped because of the pandemic.
International travelers have a different hurdle to consider: Rules imposed in July by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ban people from importing dogs from countries considered at high risk for rabies.
People looking to fly their pets, she said, need to make sure the airline will carry them. And, if they’re looking to travel internationally, they must confirm the pet would be allowed back into the country.
“Just be careful,” said Angela Passman, a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association and owner of World Pet Travel. “I can’t stress it enough.”
CHECK HOW YOUR HOTEL DEFINES “PET-FRIENDLY”:
Finding a hotel, Airbnb or other rental that accepts animals is a demanding task on its own, but figuring out how different properties define “pet-friendly” is an additional challenge.
Jason Halliburton of pet travel site BringFido said some hotels roll out the red carpet for pets, with such amenities as canine massage and gourmet room service.
As part of its pet-friendly expansion, Hilton teamed up with Mars Petcare to pilot a digital service that lets hotel guests at some Home2 Suites and Homewood Suites reach experts in pet health, wellness and behavior during their stay. Many of those branded hotels also have treats, bowls and waste bags available.
Even without a special program, many hotels allow animals to stay (for a fee) with some ground rules. Prices might vary.
On Airbnb, some listings have pet fees and strict rules, while others don’t mention either. Prospective visitors should check the rules before they rent.
Cat owners should also check specifically for restrictions concerning their pets. “Petfriendly doesn’t necessarily translate into cat-friendly,” said Amy Burkert, founder of the site GoPetFriendly.
AVOID CLEANING CHARGES IN RENTAL CARS:
Most rental car companies allow pets, but some, such as Avis, advise calling individual pickup locations to make sure. Some companies require pets to be kept in carriers. Others just say the car has to be clean and odor-free. If not, a cleaning charge applies.
Avis offers a list of suggestions for avoiding extra fees, including getting a pet groomed before putting it in a rental car.
Burkert’s tip is to get an inexpensive shower curtain, thread the holes into the car’s headrests and cover whatever area the pet will sit in.
TAKE YOUR SMALL PET ON THE RAILS:
Amtrak allows dogs and cats that weigh up to 20 pounds, including their carriers, on most routes for trips up to seven hours. The cost is $26. Reservations should be made in advance.
PRACTICE MEALTIME MANNERS FOR RESTAURANTS:
Burkert frequents restaurants with her mixed-breed dog, Myles. When she gets up to leave, fellow customers will often say they didn’t even realize she had a pet. “That’s exactly what I wanted,” she said.
She trained him at home by teaching him to stay on his place — a piece of a yoga mat — and then progressed to practicing at park picnic tables, off-hour coffee shops and restaurants. When they do go out to eat, she brings a toy stuffed with frozen dog food, water, a water bowl and a bully stick to chew on. Still, Burkert said, dogs can have bad days: “You always have to be ready to get up and leave.”
She recommended checking restaurants’ websites and calling ahead to make sure that they allow pets.
KEEP PET SAFETY IN MIND ON THE ROAD:
Gabrielle Fadl, medical director of Bond Vet in Brooklyn, said the safest way for pets to travel in cars is to put them inside carriers or crates. There are also seat belts made for dogs.
In the days leading up to a trip, Fadl said, owners should leave the crate or carrier out and occasionally leave snacks in them to create positive associations. Traveling with a familiar blanket could help ease stress on the trip, too.
It is good to stop every three to four hours to give pups a break. If they are anxious, restless, panting or whining, those might be signs they need to stop sooner. Mary Burch, who directs the American Kennel Club’s canine manners program, said rest breaks should include a 10-to-15minute walk and fresh water. Burch said the pet should have sufficient air circulation wherever it is sitting, and a pet might be more comfortable near an air-conditioning vent during a long trip.