So you’ve made the life-changing decision to travel and are ready to take the plunge, but have you considered your pets? Usually, they can be the last thing we think about, and if you’re doing something personal like travelling. It can be easy to forget that your furry friends rely on you. You may decide to take your pet with you, which has some hurdles, or similarly, you may decide to leave your pet in the care of someone else. Which also can be emotionally hard as you will have to say farewell to your companion for a while. I hope you don’t ditch your pets.
Don’t Ditch Your Pets:
If you’re going on an active holiday on a budget, it may be easy to take your dog with you. As there are more facilities for dogs than for any other animal. Several people have blogged about this experience, including Dog Jaunt and Dog Travel Blog. Which has lots of advice for taking your dog through France.
Taking Your Pet with You:
Wherever you go, and whatever pet you take with you, you must ensure your pet is vaccinated against rabies and is microchipped. Once you’ve ensured your pet’s vaccinations are up to date, your vet will issue you a pet passport, enabling you to visit most countries with your pet and return to the UK again. If you visit a European country, you can usually enter and exit freely. However, if you visit anywhere outside of Europe, you may have to put your pet into quarantine.
Leaving Your Pet Behind:
As mentioned previously, if you visit a country outside of Europe. Your pet may have to be put into quarantine, so it could be easier to leave your pet behind. Leaving your pet in the care of a friend may be the best solution. But if no one is willing to take on the commitment, there are plenty of services for pet sitters who will come to your home and look after your animals, or long-term kennels and catteries.
Essential Tips For Leaving Your Pet In A Friend’s Care:
If you leave your pet in the care of your friend, make sure that you leave them guidance on how to look after your pet, a good supply of their favourite food (and money for more!), their favourite toys, and something that will remind them of home, like an old jumper of yours. It’s also vital that you get your pet microchipped in case your pet tries to escape and make his or her way home again.
Why Investing In Pet Insurance Is Crucial:
The most important thing to remember is to invest in a good pet insurance plan. Companies like Pets at Home offer pet insurance to cover your dog or cat at home and abroad. Meaning you won’t have to worry about paying expensive vet bills while travelling.