Planes, trains, and automobiles. All are options for getting to your summer vacation destination. But which is the best method of travel if you are bringing your four-footed family member along? And should you bring your animal companion or is he or she happier staying at home?

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s largest animal protection organization, has the information to help you make these decisions.

"The first thing you need to determine is whether your furry friend likes to travel," said Nancy Peterson, HSUS issues specialist for companion animals. "Does he or she enjoy being in the car and seeing new people and places? If these stress your pet, it may be kinder to leave him or her in the care of a reputable boarding kennel or at home with a professional pet sitter.”

If you decide to take your pet on vacation, start to plan your trip early. You will need to research places that provide pets-welcome accommodations, determine if your pet will need a health certificate, and schedule a pre-vacation veterinary exam. You will want to make sure that you carry proof of a current rabies vaccination.

The following are some tips on traveling with your pet.

Traveling by Car

1. Always be sure your pet is safely restrained in the car. If he is accustomed to one, your dog can be restrained with a pet safety harness that functions like a seatbelt. Or you can use a well-ventilated, hard-sided kennel. To ensure that they don’t distract the driver, cats should always be kept in their carriers when traveling by car. All animals are safer in the back seat.
2. Don’t allow your canine companion to stick her head out the window when the vehicle is moving. Doing so can subject your pet to injury by flying debris.
3. Never transport a dog in the back of a pickup truck. Some states have laws restricting such transport and it is always dangerous for your dog.
4. Always provide frequent bathroom and exercise breaks. When outside the car, make sure that your pet is always on a leash and wearing a collar and ID tag.
5. Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car. On warm days, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows slightly open. Also, an animal left alone in a car is an open invitation to pet thieves.

Traveling by Plane:

The HSUS recommends that pets be transported by air only if absolutely necessary. According to the Airline Transportation Association, an estimated 5,000 animals are killed, injured or lost during airline travel each year. Most injuries and deaths to animals traveling by airplane are due to extreme heat or cold, poorly ventilated cargo holds, mishandling by baggage personnel, and damage to kennels.

If you must travel by air with your pet, keep the following in mind:

1. Not all airlines will carry pets. Call the airline well in advance of your trip to make sure that they accept pets and to check health and immunization requirements for your pet.
2. Take small animals on board with you in carriers that fit under the seat. Contact airlines for specific requirements, including type and size of carrier, for taking your pet on board.
3. Take direct flights to avoid mistakes and delays that occur with transfers, and schedule flights early or late in the day to avoid extreme heat.
4. Notify the captain and at least one fight attendant that your pet is traveling in the cargo hold. If the captain knows there are pets on board, he or she may take special precautions.
5. Fit your pet with a collar that can’t get caught in carrier doors. Instead of a dangling tag, affix identification on the collar and carrier with your name, address, and phone number, as well as a temporary travel ID with the address and phone number where you can be reached at your travel destination.

Traveling by Ship or Train

1. Most cruise lines don’t accept pets with the exception of assistance dogs. Contact cruise lines in advance about their policies and kennel facilities. If you must use the ship’s kennel, make sure it is protected from the elements.
2. Amtrak currently does not accept pets for transport unless they are assistance dogs. There may be smaller U.S. rail companies that permit animals on board their trains. Many trains in Europe allow pets.
3. Many restaurants and tourist attractions do not allow pets. If you’re not prepared to go the extra mile to accommodate your pet during travel, he or she may be safer and happier at home. In this case, research the pet sitting services and kennels in your area well before your trip in order to find the best arrangement for your companion animal.

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