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Traveling With Your Pets

Traveling is not always easy, at times it can be extremely stressful, let alone traveling with your furry creatures. Luckily, we have been there and done that and can give you all the tips and tricks we know to help you prepare for the best!

Just keep in mind, the following is all personal experience and a tone of research.

Personal Experience

We took our two cats Gingi and Luna from Canada Vancouver YVR to a connection flight to Mexico City and then Querétaro. I planned for the quickest trip possible which was 9.5 hours for my pet’s sake, but what I had planned and what ended up happening was very different, it ended up being a 25.5 hour trip for my poor babies.

We got to Vancouver YVR 3 hours before our flight (100% recommend) as not only were they short staffed, but there was also a huge line, AND I had two pets to deal with and I have never taken pets to travel before. I did all my research beforehand but there were things that no research out there that warned me about the little things here and there that I didn’t know I needed. Here is a list of all the important things you will need below.

What You Will Need to Travel

No matter which country you are going to, you need to ensure that you do your research on what the country and the airline needs from you to bring your pets. Some things they tell you and some they do not, for example, I was told by several veterinarians I did not need a certification of good health to enter into Mexico, neither did some of my research, but when I called my airline to make sure, they told me that I did need it. Sometimes it is just best to have it on hand to avoid any issues at the airport.

1. How Old Is your Pet?

Please note that to enter into Mexico your pet must be at least 8 weeks old. Other countries might be the same timeline, but this is the first thing to look into, as if they are too young, you have to wait until they are of age for their own safety.

2. Certification of Good Health

This is a certificate that is issued by a veterinary physician, up to five days before your flight. Some research said 15 days, which is why you need to call your airline and check with them directly, however, it is much easier to simply get this 3-5 days before your flight to avoid any issues at the airport.

What is a certification of good health? It is a certificate that shows your pet is in good health. They need to have a checkup, they need to be up to date with all required shots, flea treatments and de-worming pills (for cats specifically, dogs may need more). You will need to collect all your paperwork for your pet and bring them to the vet. If you have additional flea treatments and de-worming pills, bring those so they can give them to your pet for you as they need to do so to prove that it has been done.

You will need TWO copies, one original (you keep), and one copy (always give this one away), and scan these or ask your veterinarian to email you this right away in case anything happens you will have a backup on your phone as they will not allow you to travel without this document.

The certificate must be on a letterhead paper printed with the veterinary physicians professional ID number, and have the following information:

• Owner’s name
• Owner’s address
• Animals breed
• Animals sex
• Animals age
• Animals color
• Departure date
• Destination address
• Rabies vaccine, date of application and the period the vaccine covers (pets under 3 months are exempted from this)

3. Microchip

It is important to microchip your pet in case they ever get lost, but how does it work? If your cat were to wander off, or if someone took them, it is not a GPS, you cannot locate them with simply just the microchip. However, if someone were to find them and take them to the vet, the vet would check their microchip and contact the owner. If someone had stolen your cat, and took them to the vet, the vet would still check their microchip and if the microchip information does not match with the owner’s information, they would contact the number that is associated with your pets ID number. Which that should be you, if you have changed your phone number since you registered your kitty, then it is best to call the microchip company and have that sorted right away. If you are moving and cancelling your phone plan, you can ask someone else to be the contact person, for example, a friend or family member you trust dearly.

In Canada, there are two microchip company that we are familiar with, 24HourWatch and Eidap. If you have a choice between the two, we would recommend Eidap, as they give you a tag for your pets ID number and their phone number already on the tag, and it is good quality. For 24HourWatch, also gives you a tag with their information, but it is made of silicone plastic which will fall off in a matter of weeks or months. Eidap also allows you to automatically register from both, but 24HourWatch does not automatically register with Eidap. If you do not have Eidap, it is an extra one time charge to get their tag mailed to you, but if you register with them right away, they will mail you a free one. Overall, Eidap is the better choice of the two, but the fundaments work the same way.

For Mexico specifically, these microchips in Canada works in Mexico and US as well! If you are going anywhere, I would call your microchip company and ask if they work in the country you are going to. If not, I would still have them microchipped for if you are ever back in your original country.

For Mexico specifically, these microchips in Canada works in Mexico and US as well! If you are going anywhere, I would call your microchip company and ask if they work in the country you are going to. If not, I would still have your cats microchipped, that is, if you are ever going back to the country you are leaving.

4. Tags

If you have worn out collars or tags, this is your chance to get them a new collar with a bell and a new tag. Luna was able to get out of her old collar, so I had to purchase a different type. This is where it is important to test out the collar you are putting on your pet as if you do not regularly keep collars on your pet, you will not know if they are able to get out of them or not, and you do not want to wait until you are in a foreign country to find out. For your tags, it is important to have all the updated information you need for your pets here. Whether you are just visiting or if you are moving to another country all together, it is best to have all relevant information attached to your pet’s collar here.

Front: Name of pet

Back: Pet’s ID number, phone number for microchip company, and your number (if you will not have your number in service, your email address).

If you do not have a microchip company like Eidap, this is where making your own microchip works just as well, just ensure you read the numbers over a couple of times before you start engraving your tags.

You will also want to keep their rabies tag on their collar as well.

5. Kennel

Get a decent kennel, personally, they are much better than a soft carry bag as they will have a lot more secure space and not roll around if your pet is upset. If you are taking them with you under your seat you need to consider the size of your pet and kennel. If you are bringing your pet in the cargo area (in the same area luggage, go), then it doesn’t matter the size.

Your pets cannot go into one kennel, you will need one kennel per pet, and they need to have enough room to stand fully and turn around without issues. If you have pets who do not like to be alone, get one bigger kennel, and have them together until you check them in and then separate them. If you have lay overs, put them together until you have to check them in once again.

6. Food

This is a difficult subject as every country and even airlines do not have clear information about if you can or cannot bring pet food. The best course of action is to call your airline and ask. Although this does not guarantee that they will not take it from you when and if they go through your bag. It is best to simply buy new food in the country you’re heading to in order to avoid having your food taken, as they have a lot of misinformation online.

Personally, when I called, the Aeromexico told us we could bring food no problem as long as it is completely unopened with clear description of what it is and the ingredients list. When I was online, I was told no beef ingredients, but Aeromexico said it was perfectly fine, as long as they are sealed. We brought several canned wet foods, little bags of treats, one sealed 7.7 lb. (3.5kg) of dried food and a large Ziplock bag of dried food (no label) in our checked bags. They did not go through any of our checked luggage, but I also did not bring too much pet food. If you want to bring any pet food, always put them in your checked bags and separate them in different luggage so that if they do go through one bag and decides that it is not allowed, you have a chance of keeping other pet food.

Kennel food, you are allowed to bring a little Ziplock of pet food and tape it on your kennel and the staff can feed them, or if there is a layover or any transportation issues, they will have some food for them. Our cats did not want any food or even a lick of water when we had our 10 hour layover, I took them out and tried giving them some treats, but they did not want any. Luna did eat two mini pieces of ham, but that was it. Gingi wanted absolutely nothing. I wouldn’t recommend feeding them much during your layover as you do not want them to have to go to the washroom with no way of doing so.

7. Zip Ties or Zap Straps

I know, right? This is one thing no research came up for this but when you travel with a kennel. They ask you to tie four zap straps on each corner of your kennel as sometimes the cage door can come apart, apparently this happens more than you would think. However, some airports do not always have them, it took about 30 mins to bring my pets to the pet’s area to have them check their kennel, paperwork and to find zap straps because they did not have any. For the security of your pets, I would bring 8 with you, 4 there, and 4 back, as well as if you have lay overs and want to take them out for a short cuddle session, that is another 4 (total 12). Or you can get reusable straps like the ones below for your forever travel needs.

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3y43fg4

Regular Non-Reuseable Zap Straps

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3uevx6j