Archive for April, 2011

International Travel With Cats

Most people don’t entertain the idea of traveling with their pet cat, but traveling with cats can be just as easy, if not easier, as traveling with dogs. Unlike with dogs, there are not many breed restrictions when looking to travel with a cat. There are some restrictions though, and every airline has different ones to consider when you want to take your cat along for the trip. It is easy to find information about traveling with your pet by searching the airline you are planning on using as well as their pet guidelines.

United Airlines is a popular carrier that provides detailed guidelines about pet travel. One of the first things the airline points out is that the United States Department of Agriculture requires that all pets, regardless of whether it is a cat or a dog, be at least 8 weeks old to travel by air. A visit to the vet is necessary to confirm whether or not your cat is fit to fly. If your cat will be traveling via cargo, a health certificate from the vet should be issued no more than 10 days before leaving, otherwise the certificate should be issued a maximum of 30 days before leaving.

Most airlines have the same general rules about getting health certificates from the vet, but airlines may have different fees regarding your cat, whether it is traveling in the cabin, as carry on luggage, or as cargo. Not only do you have to consider the airline you are flying with, but you will need to factor in the country you are departing from in order to figure out how much you will need to pay for your cat. For example, United Airlines’ fees, traveling from the United States, are as follows: $250 for a pet being checked in as luggage, and $125 for those being considered as carry-on luggage into the cabin. Keep in mind that there are also some countries that do not allow pets from foreign countries, and these include the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Australia.

Lufthansa also considers pets as excess baggage, requiring you to pay in order to travel with your cat. This airline differs from United Airlines though, in that there are fixed rates for those traveling within Europe. Otherwise, animals are charged per kilo including the weight of their carrier. For example, within Europe it costs $100 to bring your cat into the cabin. It can cost from $150 to $300 per animal traveling in the hold of the airplane within Europe.

Remember that air travel with cats is much less restrictive than traveling with a dog, so don’t let anything deter you from bringing your cat along for the ride. The internet makes it easy to find out what restrictions different countries and airlines may have on pet travel, and you can easily find out what fees are for cabin luggage, checked luggage, and cargo. By preparing your cat to travel beforehand, and by doing some of your own research, your cat can safely travel to and transition in a new place.

Three Types of Vaccinations For International Travel

When most people think of traveling abroad, their first thoughts are about getting or updating an existing passport or visa. However, just as important is the need to obtain the required vaccinations. The required vaccinations are designed to protect those who are traveling as well as those who reside at the travel destination.

Your family physician or the local health clinic can usually provide travelers with the information they need. In particular, three different types of vaccinations are involved.

The first set of vaccinations is the set of routine ones. Routine vaccinations are determined by the age and health of the individuals. This type of vaccination must be up-to-date in order for the individual to be allowed to travel. In most cases, this means that the individuals must have received their booster shots if required. Examples of this type of vaccination are hepatitis B and A, diphtheria, polio, and tetanus.

In general, routine vaccinations have a predetermined number of years in between shots. Other vaccinations to consider getting include Influenza, Meningococcal meningitis, Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies, and Varicella. In fact, it is best to check with your physician for the names of the vaccinations that your family should get since some new ones have been added to the required list for children.

The second set of suggested vaccinations is the set of recommended ones. These vaccinations are those that would protect an individual if he were to go to a specific destination. In other words, the recommended vaccinations protect travelers against specific diseases. These diseases are ones that the travelers would be more likely to get at the specific destination to which they are traveling.

The third set of vaccinations is the set of required vaccinations. These are the ones that are dictated by international health guidelines. At the present time, a vaccination for yellow fever is the only one that is required and it is only required for individuals who are traveling to South America or sub-Sahara Africa.

It’s important that you allow yourself enough time to get all of the necessary vaccinations. Therefore, you should begin at least four to six months prior to your departure time. Inform your physician of the exact locations where you will be going so that he knows which vaccinations to recommend.