Travelling with Pets

One of the hardest decisions to be made (after the decision to blow the kids’ inheritance!) is what to do about the dog, cat or other pets.

While it is possible to take the family cat or dog with you, is it a good plan? I’m going to consider the implications of taking a dog along for the ride but many of the considerations will also apply to travelling with cats, admittedly a less common choice of companion.

I think the really hard part is that we are strongly attached to our canine friends and it’s really hard to avoid the thought that they may feel abandoned or even worse, may transfer their loyalty and affection to someone else.

If you have been on extended holidays before and have placed your pet in the care of another family member or in kennels, you’ve probably noticed that the dog has not been traumatised by the experience. Most dogs will quickly adapt to the new pack leader and the new routine or environment. In fact, it’s not all unusual for breeders to take back their puppies once they’ve reached adulthood and these dogs generally fit straight back in to the family routine.

If you have a pedigree dog, your breeder is probably someone to approach for advice. They may well know of one of their other clients who may be willing to look after another dog for a while. Many show dog and working dog families keep small packs of dogs and one more often makes little difference.

So it largely depends on you having access to a family member or friend who enjoys your dog’s company and admittedly, not everyone is so lucky. And, let’s be honest, you will miss your pet and your family when you leave them behind, some more than others. This also assumes you are returning home eventually. If you are not then you may need to consider finding a permanent home for your pet.

The alternative is to take the pet along with you. This option will change the nature of your journey in many ways.

Firstly, you will need to be especially careful with the weather and climate. As a human being, you can duck extremes of weather by hiding out in shopping malls, hotels, museums and the like. These places rarely welcome animals. Extreme heat is perhaps the most common challenge and motor vehicles heat up very quickly even in relatively mild weather.

Pets also have the habit of shedding their hair and sharing body odours. I recall one dismal trip when Taffy, our border collie, found something really ripe to roll in at the very start of a camping trip. The solution was to take him for a swim on a handy beach in the middle of the night and to this day I’m not sure if he was being washed or drowned. A smelly dog in a car or van isn’t great company even on a good day.

While you are travelling along, you need to keep windows open and sound systems turned down which may not suit you all day long. You may also need to make more frequent stops than you’d prefer.

To top it all off, you’ll arrive at the caravan or camping ground to find “No Pets” signs everywhere and you’re not allowed into the local national park where camp sites are cheaper.

Should you be lucky enough to find a pet friendly site, you will still need to supervise your dog 24/7 unlike at home when you can shut him up in the house or yard and go off elsewhere. The vehicle has become his new territory and he may defend it somewhat noisily against innocent passers-by. You won’t be popular.

So really, it’s what they call a ‘no brainer.’ Unless you have no other option, don’t take your pets. If you have to, you really need to plan ahead.

These Life Be In It sites may help in finding some pet friendly locations:

http://www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au/

http://www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au/holidaying_with_cats.htm