Bringing Your Pet On Travel Assignment
Traveling across the country to a new destination is an exciting adventure and one that some of us like to share with our furry companions. Since many traveling therapists and educators are on temporary assignments, there can be some questions around how to travel with furry friends. We have put together some pointers on how to alleviate some of that worry and guide you on the best way to bring your four-legged friend along for the ride.
Keep All Records Up To Date
It’s important to make sure your furry friend’s insurance and veterinary bills are always readily available. Sometimes car or renter insurance companies will can tack on a pet insurance policy to keep you safe from any unexpected bills that may arise if the pet gets sick.
Keeping your pet’s vaccines and medications up to date is a key component. In a new city, you can refill items such as Heartguard/Frontier if you maintain regular visits to any veterinary clinic. There are also mail-in services that will deliver your pet’s flea/tick preventatives to you directly. Depending on your assignment location, you should also consult your pet’s vet to make sure you have the correction type of flea/tick prevention your pet needs since each state has different species of parasites.
Keeping Your Pet Safe
Making sure that your dog/cat has a microchip implant is a great preventative measure to take, especially when on assignment in a new area. This can help to alleviate worries you may have should they get lost. In the event that your pet wanders away from home, a veterinary clinic will be able to scan their microchip and can get a hold of you with the contact information from it. If you decide to have your pet microchipped, always make sure their contact information is updated for each new assignment.
Finding Temporary Housing
If you are an avid traveler, you probably understand that having your own accommodations such as a RV or camper van is a convenient solution when bringing your pets along. If you need a bit more in structure, you may want to consider renting a short-term apartment or AirBnB. Depending on the owner, AirBnB may be a bit more lenient when it comes to the breed/size of your pet, but a lot of apartment houses are strict about the types of breeds they will allow. Be sure to inquire about their policy around pets.
A proactive step to take when applying for temporary housing with a pet is to set up an interview with the owner/manager and your furry friend. Also, bring along all of their vet records and any accomplishments they have achieved including training courses and Canine Good Citizen awards. This CGC class is a great idea for any traveling dog as it registers them with AKC as a “good dog.” Click here for more information about the Canine Good Citizen Class.
You may be asked to pay an additional pet security deposit. Upon arrival, take detailed pictures and notes of how the space looked and provide the owner or manager with dated copies. This prevents any “extra” pet fees for any damage your pet did not incur.
Arrive Early
A big move can be stressful for all parties involved. Your pet may need a few days to acclimate to the new space with you before you start working. Try to spend some quality time with them to provide them with a sense of comfort and stability. Find the nearest dog parks for Fido or lay out all Fluffy’s favorite cat toys and blankets in the new place so they can feel secure. Be sure to research local veterinary clinics and pet stores, so you are aware of surrounding resources should you need them.
Our Blazer Jobs team understand and value that your pets are a part of the family. We can certainly assist you when it comes to finding pet-friendly housing. To search available travel positions, visit our jobs page today!