In order for you to be able to travel safely with any of your pets, the first thing you will need to do is check into what the airline has in place as far as regulations and any restrictions. Some of the airline carriers will let you take a pet onto the flight as a carry-on with certain size restrictions. Those that don’t would rather have you check your pet or pets in.
Six weeks before you leave for your trip, have your veterinarian check your pet or pets. Doing so will allow them to check for any conditions or health concerns that may impact your ability to travel with them. Sometimes the vet may even advise you to leave the pet at home while traveling. Travel can stress animals out, especially older pets. It is in your best interest to take your vets advice into consideration when making your plans.
If your pet or pets are not able to go on the flight with you as a carry-on, now is the time to get them used to being in their carrier. You will need to put the carrier with a blanket and some toys in the house to get them used to its smell before they will go into it for the trip. The more comfortable they are with their carrier, the less the chance they will panic on the day of your trip.
Also note, there is the possibility that you won’t get to see your pet until you get to baggage claim. You may even want to think about working with a company, such as Pacific Pet Transport, that can help you transport your pet whether you are flying internationally or domestic.
Most importantly make sure the travel agency you’re purchasing your travel from has a reliable travel merchant account processing service, so you can buy your ticket safely and securely.
With these new regulations coming out and this advice, you will have a much more pleasant flight with your beloved pet.