When you schedule your trip:

Can you get a direct flight, avoiding connections and layovers? Sometimes this is easier to achieve if the trip is planned for during the week. The well-being of your dog could become a source of concern if the baggage connection between flights is missed.

Does the airline have acclimation requirements? If you are unable to secure a direct flight, your dog's carrier may be left outside the plane for a period of time. To avoid liability, the airline may require a letter from Valley View stating that your dog is acclimated to a minimum or maximum temperature for a defined period of time. For specific airline pet policies, click here.

Does the airline's baggage liability include pets? If you are sending an economically valuable dog, you may wish to consider additional liability insurance.

Has your dog seen its vet within the past three months? This is especially important for geriatric dogs. Travel by plane can pose a risk for dogs with pre-existing medical problems such as heart or kidney disease. Also, some short-faced breeds of dogs (Bulldogs, Pekingese, etc.) do not travel well in some situations.

Do you have written proof of current vaccinations? Does the airline require a health certificate? These cannot be obtained "after the fact." You must be able to present them on demand.

Will your dog need to be quarantined if you're traveling outside the continental United States, and if so, for how long?

Does your airline impose a limit on how many animals can travel in the cabin? If your dog will be in the cabin, what are the dimensions of the area in which he'll be traveling?

Do you have an adequate supply of all medications that you might need for your dog, like heartworm preventive, flea preventive, and heart or kidney medications? If your dog is on a special diet, can this be easily obtained at your destination?

Does your dog have a collar, id tag, and leash? Order forms are available at Valley View.

What hotels allow dogs? Many bookstores carry travel guidebooks with this type of information. AAA members can purchase Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook, which gives an annually updated list of motels and hotels that welcome pets, emergency animal clinics, advocacy groups, and pet-sitter associations. (Don't forget to bring a litter pan and food/water bowls for your room.)

Carrier Recommendations

The carrier should provide sufficient room for your dog to stand up and turn around easily, but not so much room that it can be tossed about during turbulence. Remember size constraints if the carrier is to go in the cabin.

The walls of the carrier should be strong enough to prevent it from being crushed, and the flooring should not allow urine to leak through. Place an absorptive pad (like those used in puppy training) in the bottom to keep your dog relatively dry.

The carrier should have sufficient openings for good ventilation, and sturdy handles for baggage personnel to use.

The carrier should have a water tray that is accessible from the outside so that water can be added if needed.

Pet stores, breeders, and kennels usually sell carriers that meet these requirements. Some airlines also sell carriers that they prefer to use. Check with the airline to see if they have other requirements.

Try to familiarize your dog with the travel carrier before you leave for your trip. Let your dog play inside with the door both open and closed. This will help eliminate some of your dog's anxiety during the trip.

On the date of departure:

Do not tranquilize the dog unless you have discussed this with your veterinarian.

Make sure that the carrier has permanent identification, including your name, phone number, flight schedule, destination, and phone number at the point of destination.

Feed the dog before you leave home. Water should be available at all times, including inside the carrier. If you have a geriatric dog with marginal kidney function, it is especially important that the dog not be deprived of water. Discuss this with your veterinarian.

Destination Considerations

Your dog should get fresh water as soon as possible after arrival.

Place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on your hotel room door so that housekeeping will not inadvertently let the dog escape. Plan to have your room cleaned only when you are present.

When you do leave your room, it is probably best to leave the dog in the carrier or bathroom.

Should your dog get lost, contact the local animal control officer.