
5 Tips for Traveling with Pets as a Travel Nurse
Travel nurse jobs can take you far from friends and family for months at a time, but traveling with a pet is a great way to avoid loneliness, alleviate stress and make short-term housing feel more like home. To help RNs keep their furry friends with them on assignment, many travel nurse agencies offer pet-friendly housing, but there are other considerations when traveling with pets. Ensure safe and easy travel with pets with these five tips.
1. Plan Your Route Before You Go
If you're traveling by car, the last thing you want to hear when you're ready to stop for the night is "No pets allowed." By planning your route beforehand, you can make sure your pet is welcome wherever you stop.
That means making reservations at pet-friendly hotels along the way. Be sure to check out their pet policies, particularly if you're traveling with more than one animal, as even pet-friendly places may have limits. If you're traveling with your pooch, ask for a ground-floor room to facilitate trips outside for potty breaks.
You can also look for restaurants with pet-friendly outdoor seating and safe places, such as dog parks or grassy rest areas, where your pet can stretch its legs. If you're traveling with an elderly or infirm pet, it's also important to know the locations of animal emergency centers along the route.
2. Visit Your Veterinarian
A pre-trip visit to your vet is important for several reasons:
To make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date. Many hotels and boarding facilities will only allow pets that are current on shots.
- To obtain physical copies of your pet's medical records. Having quick access to this medical history can be life-saving in an emergency
- To obtain a health certificate if your destination state requires it. To find destination-specific health requirements for traveling with pets, visit the USDA's website.
- To get pet prescription refills. Don't forget heartworm medication and flea and tick prevention, especially if you're traveling to a high-risk area.
3. Make Sure Your Pet Has The Proper Identification
4. Don't Forget Your Pet When Packing
- Favorite toys and treats
- Comfortable bedding
- Waste bags for dogs or litter and a litter box for cats
- Collapsible travel bowls