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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 17, 2016)
D ECEMBER 17, 2016 • U LTIMATE P E T C ARE G UIDE T RAVELING Did you know? M The Humane Society of the United States and the American Pet Products Association say 20 percent of the 83.3 million owned dogs in 2012 were adopted from ani- mal shelters. Of the 95.6 million owned cats in the United States that same year, 26 percent were adopted from animal shelters. With between six and eight million animals entering shel- ters each year, adoption should be one of the first con- siderations for people looking to bring pets into their homes. In the Florence area, people are encouraged to check out Oregon Coast Humane Society for adoptable dogs and cats. The humane society, at 2840 Rhododendron Drive, is a no-kill, nonprofit shelter run by a dedicated staff and community volunteers. For more information about pet adoption, volunteering or donating, go to www.oregon coasthumanesociety.org. People can join millions of other Americans in finding their new best friend at an animal shelter. 5 TODAY WITH PETS IN TOW any pet owners now stress and ensure all members take their companion of the family, including those animals along with covered in fur, have a great a them when they visit family, head time on vacation, here are home for the holidays, travel for some tips for taking animals business or go on vacation. on road trips: Traveling with pets can be enjoy- • Prepare your pet. In the able, and more and more pet own- weeks before the trip, pet ers are bringing their companion owners should start to prepare animals along for the ride. their pets for the trip by taking TripAdvisor, the premier travel them on short drives. community resource, annually Lengthen each of these mini polls travelers about traveling trips so you can build up a with pets. Fifty-three percent of travel tolerance in your pet respondents travel with their ani- and acquaint the animal with mal companions. car travel before vacation Anyone who has traveled with begins. pets understands the impact that • Purchase appropriate trav- dogs, cats, fish, birds and other el gear. Crating pets during animals can have on travel plans. road trips is possible without More and more, dogs, cats and other Accommodations for the animals making pets uncomfortable. transportable pets are joining family trips. must be made in order to travel It’s also important to secure with peace of mind, and some peo- the crate so it does not slide have to pay fees when bringing pets into ple even forgo vacations when they can- a hotel. Bring along your pet’s food and around in case of sudden stops or when not find accommodations for their pets. water, as unfamiliar foods or water from driving on curvy roads. Pet owners who Many hotels have pet-friendly rooms unfamiliar dishes may cause stomach don’t want to put their pets in crates on lower floors near walking areas. problems. Try to keep your pet quiet should keep pets harnessed in the back Even many restaurants — where pet and be considerate of others who may seat at all times, never letting the animal hair and food may seem like an unlike- not be animal lovers. hang its head out the window while the ly combination — are open to allowing • Keep identification on your pet that car is in motion. travelers dine with their pets. Animals includes your mobile phone number • Pack some travel items. Human may be allowed to sit in patio dining should the pet get lost. Even if pets are beings tend to bring snacks and bever- areas, and some restaurants even allow microchipped, it’s important to make ages along on road trips, and such items pets indoors. sure they wear collars imprinted with are necessary for pets, too. Pack water, Those who choose to travel with pets their owners’ names, phone numbers, food and some snacks for pets, but can heed some precautionary tips and email addresses and any additional rele- never feed them in a moving car. Take plan ahead. vant contact information. Make sure the some time to feed pets at rest stops. The • The American Kennel Club recom- phone numbers listed on pets’ collars ASPCA advises feeding pets a light mends a veterinary visit prior to taking are the numbers where you can be meal three to four hours before begin- pets on extended trips. Make sure all reached while on vacation and not just ning the trip and serving pets only bot- vaccinations are current and ask for a landline home phone numbers. tled water to reduce the risk of stomach copy of health certificates/records. • International travel may require a problems. In addition to food and water, • Invest in a carrier or crate large different set of procedures depending pack some toys to keep pets occupied enough for your pet. The crate should on where you are traveling. Some coun- during the trip. Such toys can also calm be large enough for the pet to stand, turn tries do not allow pets to visit, while animals’ anxiety by providing them and lie down. A crate or carrier can keep others may require pets to be quaran- with something familiar. pets secure in the car and may be rec- tined for a predetermined period of time • Do not leave pets alone in the car. ommended in pet-friendly hotels. before they’re allowed to travel within Leaving pets alone in a car is unsafe no • Airlines may allow small pets to the country. You also may be able to matter what the temperature is outside. ride in the cabin in a carrier under your apply for a pet passport to make inter- Pets are susceptible to heatstroke when seat. Larger pets will have to ride in the national travel go smoothly. left in hot cars and can freeze to death cargo hold. Try to book a direct flight, Traveling with animals in tow is not when left in cars during winter. When so that the pet will only have to board as simple as beckoning the family pet to planning your road trip, confirm that any and disembark the plane once. Notify the car when it’s time to hit the open hotels you plan to stay in accept pets. airline personnel when you are travel- road. Family vacations may not be com- ing with a pet. Provide food and water plete without the family pets joining in The American Society for the for a long flight. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals notes the fun. But it’s important for pet own- • Confirm the rules at hotels concern- that travel can be stressful for both pet ers to plan ahead when taking their ing pet stays. Recognize that you may owners and their pets. To help ease that furry friends on vacation. — Metro
