If your family can’t bear to leave Fido or Rex behind with a neighbour while you go gallivanting off to exotic places, then you should consider taking your pet with you. There are a variety of places that you can take your furry – or scaly – friend for a delightful vacation.
However, there are a few places that won’t let you have your pet. Cruises, for instance, very rarely allow pets, and national parks have a number of restrictions on animals. Other countries often have a different perspective on animals too, Italians, for example, often don’t let their dogs indoors, but they may let tourists, depending on their temperament.
Can Your Pet Cope?
Taking your pet with you on holiday may be a selfish decision if your pet is likely to get stressed or ill. If you have a routine, and your pet becomes stressed without that routine, then it may be better to leave your pet at home.
Get to the Vet
Your pet should be as healthy as possible before you leave, so you should make sure that you are up to date with your pets’ vaccinations, and flea and worm treatments. Discuss the country that you’re going to with your vet, as they may have some helpful advice about potential diseases or practices in that country. Your vet will also be able to advise on how well your pet will be able to cope with travel. You should talk to your vet at least three weeks before travel so you can do everything you might need to do before you go.
Make Sure They’re Safe
Many owners worry that their pet will get lost or run away when abroad, so ensure that your pet wears a collar, and has a microchip. The collar should have the pet’s name, your name, holiday address and contact detail on the identity tag. The microchip will ideally meet International Organisation for Standardisation standards, as this means that transport companies in the EU will be able to read the microchip, but if not, you should bring your own microchip.
Pet Passport
You may also need a pet passport, which you’ll need to ask your vet about. This will stay valid for as long as you meet the requirements. If you’re outside the EU, then you’ll be issued with official veterinary certificates instead.
