Remember, it is a good idea to make advanced reservations for pet
boarding as soon as you know your arrival date. This is an area again
where your sponsor can be of assistance.
The Animal Control Division of
the Kings County Government Office is responsible for licensing pets in our
area. The only requirement is proof of an up-to-date rabies
vaccine.
All pets residing on-base, as well as in the local community
must posess a current license. The Commanding Officer's permission is necessary
to keep any pet other than inocculated dogs and cats.There is no quarantine for
pets arriving from overseas locations as long as the owner provides the
following: Proof that the pet has no diseases (pets owner is in possession of a
valid veterinarians certificate that states the pet has no diseases). Pet has
current rabies inoculations.Once you have decided that an animal is going to be
your traveling companion, plan for your pet's trip in the same way you plan your
own - - well in advance.
PET HEALTH - Nothing can waylay a trip with an
animal faster than a health problem, and your pet's well-being should be of
primary importance to you. Your pet will be subjected to conditions guaranteed
to cause stress to your animal. A clean bill of health is an
important first step in assuring your pet's ability to adjust safely to
unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, most states and countries
require recent health certificates and disease inoculation documentation before
you will be allowed to cross borders, making a trip to the veterinarian
mandatory. Even if you are traveling within your own state
boundaries, it is a good idea to have your pet examined and
inocculated. Your pet will be "out of his own back yard" and subject
to contact with unknown animals. His chances of contracting disease
or infection greatly increase. Have your pet examined by a licensed
veterinarian, preferably one who has cared for the animal on a regular
basis. Ask the doctor to prescribe a motion sickness pill or sedative
as a preventive measure. Don't tranquilize your animal
automatically. Sedated animals are more likely to develop
problems. (Note: Motion sickness pills are preferable to
tranquilizers.) NEVER give your pet tranquilizers without your vet's
approval and NEVER give an animal any medication that has been prescribed for
human use. Avoid traveling with an animal during extreme
weather.
IDENTIFICATION - A disaster in the making is a pet in transit
without identification. Dogs break free from leases. Cats
dash out of cages cracked open for just a second. The opportunity for
pets to be separated from their owners are numerous. Avoid the
potential loss of a beloved pet by purchasing a comfortable collar (elastic for
cats) for your pet bearing complete identification tags. The
information should include your pet's name, your name, address and phone
number. A license tag is also necessary and can be obtained from your
local humane organization. (If your pet is a cat who has never worn a
collar, allow time for the cat to become accustomed to wearing something around
his neck.) As an additional safeguard, you may want to consider
tattooing as a permanent form of identification. Your pet can have a
number (your social security number, for example) tattooed on the inside of his
ear or flank. Then, if your pet breaks free of both carrier and
collar, he can still be positively identified.
CARRIERS-The carrier in
which your pet will be spending most of his trip is of the utmost
importance. In fact, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
(APHIS) has very specific regulations for cages/crates used to transport animals
interstate or internationally. SIZE: Your pet must have
room to turn freely while in a standing position and be able to use normal
movements in order to stand erect or lie down in a natural
position.
CONSTRUCTION: Crates should be constructed of metal,
wood or heavy plastic of sufficient strength to withstand the rigorous handling
it will receive while your animal is in transit. The carrier must
have a solid bottom to prevent leakage. Line the bottom with shredded
paper or other absorbent material.
Include a familiar blanket and a
favorite toy in the carrier. It will make your pet more comfortable
and less frightened. NOTE: Airlines are a good place to
purchase carriers that meet all requirements, and they are generally cheaper
than if purchased at a pet store.
HOUSING: If you and your pet
plan to stay in a hotel, motel or inn, call in advance to check if pets are
allowed and to make reservations. It is not a good idea to try and
"sneak" a pet in or announce upon your arrival that the reason you need a double
room is that your Great Dane is staying with you. You and your pet
could be left without a place to stay. (Gaines Pet Foods Corporation
publishes "Touring with Towser", a directory of domestic hotels and motels that
accommodate guests with dogs. It is available for a nominal fee by
writing to Gaines TWT, P.O. Box 5700, Kankakee, IL 60902.)
If
you plan to board your pet at your destination point, reservations are also
necessary, especially during the heavy travel periods of holidays and
summers. Try to obtain a reliable recommendation for a boarding
kennel. (The American Boarding Kennels Association in Colorado,
Springs, CO publishes "How to Select a Boarding Kennel" and will make
recommendations over the phone when they're not too busy. Member
kennels are listed for the United States and Canada. Call
303-591-1113 for information.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAVELING BY AIRPLANE -
Air travel has become the most common way to transport
animals. Unfortunately, it is also the most stressful and most
fraught with potential hazards.
SAFE ENVIRONMENT-Animals are permitted in
both the cabin and cargo sections of airplanes. Pet owners often
prefer to have their companion pet in the cabin section with them, and this is
possible, but only under the following circumstances: *Reservations must be made
as early as possible with the airline. Regulations differ from airline to
airline, but generally only one animal per flight is allowed in the cabin and
permission is granted on a first come, first serve basis.
*Animals
traveling in the cabin are considered "carry-on luggage" by airlines, and as
such must meet the same criteria as any baggage in that category. In
other words, the pet carrier must fit under the seat. Obviously this
restricts the carry-on option to very small animals. (A fee is
usually charged).
*Be sensible where your pet's safety is
concerned. It is better to have your pet in the cargo section of a
plane in a carrier of the proper size than to try and "jam" a dog or cat into a
too small carrier just so the animal can be in the cabin with you.
In
most cases, animals must fly in the cargo section of the plane where conditions
can be hazardous for animals. The danger of air travel is not,
however, in flying, but rather during "down time" when your pet is loaded,
unloaded or waiting in an unsheltered area and exposed to the
elements. While on the plane hazards are usually caused by the delays
which result in time spent on the runway before take-off or after touchdown when
the plane's compartments are not air pressurized. During that time
your pet is confined in the cargo hold and deprived of fresh air, and
temperatures can fluctuate from very hot to very cold in short periods of
time. Pets who are tranquilized are especially susceptible to
breathing problems, as are breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Pekingese who have
short-faced heads.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAVELING BY CAR-In many ways,
traveling with your pet by automobile is the most humane way to
go. Although time spent in transit is greatly increased for long
distances, the benefits of having your pet with you at all times cannot be
overestimated. And, if you heed the following recommendations, both
of you will arrive at your destination safely.
Unless your pet is already
accustomed to being in an automobile, take the time to acclimate your pet to the
motion and sounds of your car by taking short drives prior to leaving on a
longer trip. (This precaution may eliminate the need to administer a motion
sickness pill or tranquilizer.) Bring a pet carrier, and if the
animal has never, or rarely, been in it, allow time for him to become familiar
with it. This is especially important if your pet is
undisciplined. An undisciplined animal is a menace in a
car.
Take along your pet's food and water bowls, blanket or bedding and a
favorite toy to give him a touch of home.
Your pet should never be
permitted to ride in the front seat, jump around the car or hang out a
window. This is dangerous for both the animal and driver.
It
is best not to feed an animal for several hours before leaving on a
trip. Bring food and fresh water with you and stop regularly once the
animal has had a chance to settle down.
If your traveling companion is a
cat, bring a litter pan and litter with plastic bags for changing
purposes. If a dog is traveling, it is imperative to stop frequently
so that he can exercise and relieve himself.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET ALONE
IN A PARKED CAR. In summer, it takes only minutes for the heat to
climb to more than 120 degrees, even in the shade. In winter, closed cars become
refrigerators on wheels and the cold is as dangerous as summer heat. (In some
states it is against the law to leave an animal alone in a car.)
Check
your pet frequently so that you can easily tell when he is hungry, thirsty, hot
or tired.