Published: May 03, 2008 10:58 pm            

Humane Society 05-04-08

As summer travel season approaches, here are some travel tips from the ASPCA:

For smooth air travel with your pet:

State your name for the record. Your pet should always wear a collar and identification tag that clearly states an address or phone number where you can be reached. Additionally, you should clearly put a current photograph on your pet’s carrier and clearly write the name, address and telephone number of the person receiving him at your destination.

Handle with care. Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate — it should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. These crates can be purchased from many pet supply stores as well as individual airlines. Also, write “Live Animal” in large letters on at least two sides of the crate, and use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. Handy tip: Check with the airline to determine whether small animals can remain with you in the cabin.

Keep it short and direct. Decrease your pet’s chances of being left on a tarmac or outside during extreme weather conditions by booking a direct flight whenever possible. Handy tip: The night before you leave, freeze a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can’t spill during loading and will melt by the time he or she’s thirsty.

For smooth road trips with your pet: A seat for a king. Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. Again, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. If your dog will be riding on the seat, outfit them with a harness and safety belt to keep them secure in case of sudden stops or changes in direction. Cats should always be in a carrier. Handy tip: If you give your pet time to get used to the carrier beforehand, he or she will be much more comfortable traveling in it.

Keep them cool even when it’s hot. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heat stroke can develop. And don’t forget about water. Bring along plenty of your own bottled water or tap water from home stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water they’re not used to could result in stomach upset for your pets.

California here I come! Bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination records, as some states requires this proof at certain interstate crossings. It’s always wise to make sure your pet has an ID collar with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information.

Did you know the Humane Society of Stillwater is non-profit and funds all operations and expenses solely from donations and adoption fees. But did you know that you can donate online? No more pesky stamps or envelopes to mail – now you can go to www.hspets.org and make a donation through our PayPal account. Just click on the “Make a Donation” button on the right side of the page.

And when you’re visiting our adoptable animals on the PetFinder web page (hsstillwater.petfinder.com), you can click on “sponsor me” for any animal that you may not be able to adopt, but wish to make a donation on their behalf.

Humane Society of Stillwater is at 1710 S. Main Street in Stillwater. Our phone number is 377-1701 and our web site is http://hspets.org Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 2-6 p.m. Thursday, 2-7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Animal Control is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Their phone is 372-0334 and web site is stillwater.petfinder.com E-mail: animalcontrol@stillwater.org



Animal Welfare

See some of our pets on the Web at www.stillwater.petfinder.com

Dogs:

Male Pug

Male Miniature Pinscher

Male Schnauzer

Female, 6 month old, red Heeler

Female Pit Bull Terrier

Female, brindle Boxer/ Whippet mix

Female, four month old, red tri Australian Shepherd mix

Cats:

Male, blue eyed, red point Siamese mix.

Spayed, black and white short hair.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.