Pet Travel Checklist

This pet-friendly travel checklist was created in order to help you pack all necessary items when you travel with your pet.

• Medications. Before you leave, consult with your vet. Ensure your pet is in good physical health before you travel. Pick up refills of any medications your pet will need while you are away ... and find out whether or not there are any concerns about the area to which you are traveling. For example, common medications include flea and tick control, and heartworm pills.

• Kennel or carrier. Some places ask that you kennel your pet if you are going out and leaving him in the room. The kennel is also a safe way for your pet to travel. Please don't let your dog ride loose in the back of a pickup truck; he could fall out and suffer serious injuries. Be sure the crate is well-padded!

• Food and water bowls.

• Food and water. Keeping your pet on the same diet that he's accustomed to will help to prevent the dreaded diarrhea or vomiting. If your pet has a sensitive stomach, you may also want to bring water.

• Can opener - if your pet is fed canned food.

• Stain remover/cleaning supplies... just in case! Please be courteous and clean up as much pet hair, etc. as you can. A good quality lint brush or pet hair roller is always useful!

• Plastic bags, or litter box/scoop so that you can clean up after your pet.

• Grooming tools - including a comb and/or brush, nail clippers, pet shampoo, and anything else your pet may need.

  Do not groom your pet inside your accommodation. Give him a good grooming before you leave on holidays. If he needs a grooming while on vacation, do it outdoors, away from other guests and rooms, and clean up immediately.

• Extra towels - for wiping those muddy paws and wet or dirty bodies!

• Collar and leash(es). Consider bringing an extra leash just in case one of them breaks.

• Comfortable bedding. Bring along whatever your pet is accustomed to, and what smells like "home".

• Identification. Be sure to record the license numbers, tattoo numbers, and microchip numbers of your pets and bring this list with you. It's important, too, that your contact information is up-to-date.

• Recent photo. If your pet is lost while you are traveling, the photo will come in handy when describing him to others. Also jot down any unique identifying marks -- be specific.

• Vaccination records and other documents. If you are travelling from another country to Canada, be sure to check what types of vaccinations your pet will need. Bring an up-to-date record with you. Also check with both your home country and Canada to see whether or not there are any special requirements for either traveling into the country, or returning to your own.

• Research local pet laws or by-laws. People who intend to travel with a controversial dog breed such as a Pit Bull or Rottweiler, for instance, should check local laws to ensure the dog will be welcome.

  Some areas have specific breed bans that can affect your furry family member. Here's one website that tries to keep up-to-date on issues surrounding breed-specific legislation... however, it's better to be safe than sorry, so call ahead to the local authorities to ask if your dog is affected.

• Phone number and address of a vet near where you're staying, especially if you're travelling to a remote area where you won't easily find veterinary offices.

• First aid kit. You can purchase an animal first aid kit or assemble a pet first-aid kit yourself.

Always call your lodging to ensure that your pet is welcome, and verify pet rules, restrictions, and fees. Think of you and your pet as 'ambassadors' for future visiting pets... a good experience will help to ensure that hotels & other accommodations continued to allow pets. Happy Travels!

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