Things You'll Need:
- A credit card
- A pet carrier appropriate to your pet.
- At least a six month lead time before your planned trip.
- A vet
- Documents stating that your pet is healthy.
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Step 1
Start preparations WELL in advance, more than six months.
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Step 2
If you have a dog, kennel train her to as many hours as possible. She'll need to be able to withstand many hours quietly behaving herself in a kennel.
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Step 3
Take your dog to the vet.
Get your dog micro-chipped. There is a specific protocol for pets if you need entry into the EU and other places.
Get your dog vaccinated. Your vet should know which vaccines to give your pet (inactivated vaccines).
Ask your vet whether or not your pet could withstand cargo hold extremes - high and low temperatures, should she need to travel in cargo. This could make or break your pet's international travel abilities. -
Step 4
When deciding whether or not your pet will be more suitable to cabin or cargo travel, bear in mind her temperament. You may decide that your pet would be better suited to cargo, even if she is suitable for cabin travel.
For example, some older dogs/smaller breeds would be fine to take in the cabin. They are quiet, rather small (under most weight/size limits) and sleep 9 hours out of ten. However, a hyperactive 1 year-old terrier might be noisy and disruptive to other passengers, despite it's small size and portable carry-case. -
Step 5
Check the restrictions as per the size of the carry case you may bring into the cabin, as well as the type, size and weight of your pet.
See my list of links below to find airlines you may be flying. Their rules and regulations about pet travel can be found on their sites. -
Step 6
Do your ticket price research online to get the best deal - but DO NOT purchase online!
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Step 7
With all of your documents and credit card (including passports - yours and your pets - and vaccination reports) call the airline of your choice.
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Step 8
Speak to a representative personally.
Purchase your tickets over the phone. Request the exact time date, price, and flight that you found online and set up the arrangements for your pet while speaking to the representative.
Have several back-up flights in case the one you request has already been filled with its quota of pets/passengers. -
Step 9
Very Important ** Get Confirmation Numbers!!!**
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Step 10
A note on lodging and eating out with your pet.
Most inexpensive places to stay are going to be within someone's house or their spare summer rental apartment. There are many places advertised online that are amenable to dogs or cats. Try here first, for a short-term place if you are heading to Europe and need entry to the EU: Lisbon: http://wearenottypical.blogspot.com/ Branch out after you get your bearings. Lisbon is full of English-speakers if you do not speak Portuguese.
Most restaurants have outdoor seating - enjoy your pet's company out-doors as often as you can! -
Step 11
After a couple of days getting your bearings, you will be able to navigate pet-friendly lodgings and eateries.
