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Humans tend to have a deep soft spot for their furry little companions (or scaly companions if that’s your bag), and we would do almost anything to ensure they’re happy and healthy. However, there will be times when you will need to transport them from one place to another for various reasons, and as you probably already know, this can be a hugely stressful time for pretty much all species as they are simply unaware of what is happening and what fate awaits them. Nevertheless, when a time comes when you need to move them, either because you are moving house or you need to bring them to the vet, there are some steps you can take to make it easier for everyone and remove the stress somewhat for the animal being transported.

Hire The Pros

Although you may not know about them, there are services that exist purely for these specific situations. Animal transportation services come in all forms, and while you might be inclined to believe they are only helpful if you need to transport your pets abroad, they can actually be used for various situations, including but not limited to moving around in the country. To find them, you will need to perform a search that includes your locality in the string so that you can ensure they are able to collect your pet on time and without the need for you to transport it to their location, which would kind of defeat the purpose of this kind of service. Therefore, if you are looking for dog transport in NSW or cat transportation in WA, you should be able to find something that is most convenient to your circumstances. However, before hiring the first service that pops up during your search, you should spend a little bit of time double-checking the following:

  • Services they offer: Some businesses will simply provide you with the most basic service and still charge you a fortune for the pleasure of using them. Instead, opt for companies that have tiered options that you can choose from based on your needs (for instance, you might not require the most advanced packages if you are only transporting them 50 km up the road).
  • Customer reviews: Reviews from real customers can help you ascertain how effective they are and how well they treat the animals in their care. While you can look through the occasional bad review, as some folks are simply born to complain, alarm bells should be ringing if their average score is three stars or below.
  • Cost: Although you want your pet to be as well looked after as possible, times are what they are, and if the price is too high, you may need to continue your search for something a little more affordable.
  • Availability: These kinds of businesses are usually in high demand, so it pays to check when they’re available and book in advance to secure your slot.
  • Their communication with you: Your pet is usually an extension of your family, so you want to make sure they are going to be treated well. As such, any pet transportation company you select should remain in contact with you throughout the process and inform you in advance of what you need to do to prepare your pet for the ordeal.

Ensure Proper Ventilation In A Carrier

If you plan on using a pet carrier, it must have plenty of ventilation to ensure the animal inside won’t overheat and has enough air to breathe. This might seem obvious, but there are lots of cheaper models on the market that do the job they are promising they will do but won’t have enough ventilation. It costs more money for a manufacturer to cut material from their products, which is why the cheaper models tend to be fully enclosed. So, if you want your pet to be comfortable, you will probably need to spend a bit more money.

Bring Familiar Items For Comfort

If your little bundle of joy has a specific toy or item they are particularly attached to, you should make sure it goes with them during the trip. Similar to humans, the smell and feel of something familiar can be all it takes to reduce the amount of stress one receives during moments of high anxiety. If you are using a service, as mentioned in the first tip, you should discuss with them about providing them with your pet’s favorite toy so they can be sure to place it inside the carte with them before they set off.

Plan Breaks For Bathroom Needs

You wouldn’t deny yourself or a family member a bathroom break, so why would you, your furry friends? Moreover, there is nothing quite like having another 100+ km to travel just after your dog has expelled whatever it has eaten from whichever end. Instead, break up your journey and include plenty of stops when you can let them out to stretch their legs and go to the toilet and give them a feed if needs be.

Never Leave Pets Unattended In Vehicles

It doesn’t matter if you have just stopped quickly to buy some snacks or for a longer time; you should never leave your pet unattended inside your vehicle. Leaving them alone might make them highly anxious since they don’t know what is occurring or when you might come back. Moreover, if it’s hot outside, you run the risk of them overheating and severely harming them. If you happen to go somewhere that doesn’t allow animals inside 9which is increasingly rare these days), you should crack open a window and let them outside for a few minutes before you head inside wherever you need to go. If it will take a long time, it’s worth coming out to check on them at specific intervals to help them remain calm.

Keep Pets Hydrated During Trips

A well-hydrated pet is a happy one, and just as you need to drink every now and then, so do they. Moreover, animals like dogs will usually pant heavily when hot or stressed out, causing them to become dehydrated faster without a sufficient water supply. Obviously, you can give them water as you’re driving, but just be aware that for every toilet break you stop for, ensure to fill up a bowl so they can sate their thirst.

Transporting a pet can be stressful for both the pet and owner, but using these tips should make the process a touch less challenging. As long as you understand that pets need companionship, food, water, and time to go to the toilet, you can plan around these events.

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/selective-focus-photography-of-labrador-in-vehicle-oBCT3obZ6OY

https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-tabby-cat-standing-beside-person-LcLy_CQ6ceo

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-dog-is-sitting-in-the-drivers-seat-of-a-car-_5u2X1H2mVc

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