Live-In Pet Sitter

• Ideally, this person is a relative or friend who knows your pet (or gets to know your pet before you leave and will be with your pet most of the time).

• Before you go, leave an adequate supply of food, instructions about grooming and exercise routine, and telephone numbers where you can be reached. Phone your pet sitter a couple of times during your holiday to check on how your pet is doing.

Drop-In Neighbour

• Many neighbours will agree to stop by each day to feed, water and exercise your pet. Make sure you entrust this duty to a responsible person. Some students do this for a summer job - be sure to obtain references and check them.

Boarding Kennel

A kennel can be an excellent way to ensure top-quality care but its strange surroundings can be a psychological shock to your pet.

Visit the kennel and check for the following:

• Are the cages clean?
• Are the cages large enough for your pet?
• Is water available at all times?
• Do the animals bark, seem content and come to see you when you walk through?
• Do the kennel owners insist on all vaccinations?
• How often will your pet receive exercise? What kind?
• Is the boarding agreement complete and satisfactory?
• Is there a veterinarian on-call 24 hours a day? (You may want to verify this by calling the veterinarian's office).

Taking Your Pet With You

You can enjoy a vacation with your pet regardless of the method of transportation you choose, as long as you take the time to check ahead and make the proper arrangements.

• Be aware of any health risks (such as deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease) that your pet may encounter at any of your vacation stops and speak with your veterinarian about preventing or coping with these problems.

• Before you leave on vacation, make sure your pet has been checked by a veterinarian. You will need updated health certificates, medical and vaccincation records. Carry heartworm medication for dogs and be sure to have your cat vaccinated against feline leukemia, as your cat may come in contact with other cats.

• You will want to pack a leash, collar, harness, tags, license, medicine/first-aid kit, food, water bowl, treats, litter box, grooming tools, toys, your pet's favourite blanket or pillow and a scratching post. You should have double tags containing your home address and phone number, and the address and phone number of your destination, or that of a nearby relative, in case your pet becomes lost during the trip. You should also carry a good, recent profile photograph of your pet in case you are separated.

At the Cottage/Going Camping

• Although your pet may be on holidays, he can never take a vacation from its leash, collar and identification tag.

• Do not allow your pet to roam. Many companion animals become lost and confused in unfamiliar surroundings. Many die from malnutrition, stress or disease.

• Encounters with wild animals, such as raccoons and porcupines, can be very unpleasant and dangerous for your pet. Such confrontations can cause injury to all the animals involved, and can be costly, as well.

Travelling By Bus

• Most buses will not accept pets, but check with the bus company to confirm this.

Travelling by Car

• If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take him for a few short rides before vacation time. Your pet should have a pleasant experience, such as a hike (with your dog) or a treat, at the end of these shorter jaunts, so that he associates car travel with rewards.

• Never leave your pet unattended in a car in warm weather, even with the window open. Interior car temperatures can rise dangerously high in a matter of minutes, and the heat could kill him.

• If you are travelling with a cat or other small animals, bring along a pet carrier. Be sure to let your pet become accustomed to it before leaving on your trip.

• Your pet should be in a carrier/crate or on a seatbelt harness (available at pet supply stores) for their own safety.

• To prevent motion sickness, do not overfeed your pet while travelling, especially before departing. Do not feed your pet for a few hours before a trip. Bring along fresh cool water and a familiar water bowl.

• Allow for exercise breaks during long trips. They're good for you and your pet! Try to walk your dog at his regular time.

• Do not let your pet hang his head out of the car window. This practice often causes damage to an animal's eyes or ears.

• Keep complete identification and a rabies tag on your cat or dog at all times, and be sure to have your pet microchipped . Carry current health and vaccination cerificates with you.

• Book your hotel/motel in advance. Check to see if they accept pets (there are several publications in print that include this information as well as web sites such as www.travelpets.com ). Do not leave your pet alone in a hotel/motel room without familiar toys and bedding.

Travelling by Plane

• Air travel is of the most concern when taking pets on holiday. The Toronto Humane Society does not recommend shipping pets by plane unless there is no alternative.

• Most airlines will take pets but not all will accept puppies and kittens. Cats and dogs with pug-nosed faces should not travel by air. They are susceptible to breathing difficulties and heat stroke in the cargo hold.

• Contact the airline well in advance to check regulations and services. Ask about other cargo on your flights and about placement of the cage.

• Try to book a non-stop flight or one with the minimum number of stops or transfers, so that your pet will not be on the plane any longer than necessary. In warm weather, select an early morning or late evening flight.

• Normally, pets are kept in the pressurized cargo area, but some airlines for a fee, will accept pets in the passenger cabin. Check with your airline to find out if they offer this option and any restrictions that may apply. Although it is not always possible, ask if you can supervise the loading and unloading of your pet. Be sure to advise the flight attendant that your pet is on board so that he or she can inform the captain.

• Make sure the carrier is large enough to be comfortable for your pet. Bring the carrier into the house a few days before you leave to allow your pet to become used to it. Pull a shirt out of the clothes hamper and put it inside to give the carrier a comforting, familiar smell.

• Quarantine conditions can be extremely stressful for companion animals. Check with the consulate or embassy of the country you will be visiting to learn about its quarantine regulations, required health certificates and the location for quarantine facility at your destination (sometimes they are located kilometeres miles away).

• For foreign travel, check with the consulate or embassy of the country you will be visiting for entry requirements. England and Hawaii, among other places, impose long quarantine periods.

Your pet must be in an airline-approved carrier. Make sure your pet's shipping container is well constructed. The proper cage, available from airlines or pet supply stores, should:

• Be large enough to allow your pet to stand, turn and lie down;
• Have a leak-proof bottom covered with absorbent material;
• Have ventilation on opposite sides, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked air flow;
• Be labelled " LIVE ANIMAL ", with arrows indicating upright position. Include your name, your pet's name, your address, phone number and destination.

Before leaving:

• Feed your pet a light meal at least six hours before departure.
• Do not tranquilize your pet without your veterinarian's approval and instruction.

Pick up your pet promptly upon arrival at your destination. It is always wise to check your pet after he has been discharged from the plane. If you notice anything amiss, report it to the airline's customer relations representative. If you feel your pet's health is in question, seek veterinary attention. Ask for the results of the veterinary examination/treatment in writing, including the date and time your pet was seen.

Travelling By Train

Each railway line has its own policy regarding travel with pets. Check with the railway before making any plans.

• If you are travelling by train in Canada with your pet, you will pay a surcharge and your animal must be contained in an approved carrier or kennel. It will help your pet if his carrier contains a blanket or pad carrying a familiar scent. Your pet carrier will be boarded with the luggage in the baggage car. Not all trains on each route have a baggage car, so be sure to phone ahead.

• Ask how your pet's kennel will be secured in the baggage compartment.

• Your pet's health can be compromised by extreme heat or cold. The temperature outside will affect how comfortably your pet will travel. It is imperative that you ask if the baggage car is temperature-controlled and, if it is, at what temperature is it maintained. If the temperature inside the baggage car is not controlled, do not use the train as a means of travel for your pet.

It is always wise to check your pet after he has been unloaded from the train. If you notice anything amiss, report it to the railways's customer relations representative. If you feel your pet's health is in question, seek veterinary attention. Ask for the results of the veterinary examination/treatment in writing, including the date and time your pet was seen.