The summer months are synonymous with holidays and enjoying the days we have dreamed of all year round. This also means planning your trips in advance, looking for the perfect destination, the places to eat, the means of transport you are going to use and, if you have a pet, making sure that everything is adapted to their needs.
There is an increasing number of ‘pet friendly’ destinations where you can enjoy activities such as going to the beach, spending a few days in a hotel or relaxing at the beach bar with your pet as a member of the family, but it is also true that, in matters such as the choice of transport, travelling with a pet implies some essential requirements when it comes to travelling.
Travelling by plane
Before travelling by plane, it is advisable to find out the conditions of each airline regarding the transport of animals, as some do not allow it and each one has its own special case. In addition, the number of animals on board is usually limited, so it is advisable to book a seat as soon as possible.
In the case of air travel, European Union Regulation 998/2003 applies to travelling with pets and, in general terms, the pet must always have its microchip or electronic identification system, and it must also comply with the ISO 11784 standard or Annex A of the ISO 11785 standard. The pet must also have its own passport or official document established for pet animals of Community origin.
In addition to this documentation, the animal must be packed as well as possible for the journey in cages or containers that can be managed by the airline, and must therefore always be identified with the corresponding coordinates (address and telephone number of the owner).
In general, if the sum of the weight of the carrier and the pet does not exceed 8 kg, they can travel in the cabin, but if they weigh more, they must travel in the hold, in an area adapted for animals, which is available on the vast majority of planes.
Some airlines also have restrictions regarding the age, breed and some specific characteristics of dogs. There are cases where puppies under 8 weeks of age are not allowed to travel and, in the case of dogs, if they belong to a breed considered potentially dangerous, they are required to wear a muzzle, even when they are in the carrier.
However, guide dogs and assistance dogs do not usually have problems travelling with their owners inside the cabin regardless of their characteristics and can even travel on airlines that normally do not allow pets on board.
In addition, airlines reserve the right of admission if they consider that a pet may be a nuisance to other passengers.
Travelling by train
The train is usually another of the most used means of transport and, unlike planes, it is usually more permissive when it comes to pets as passengers.
In the case of the AVE or other long and medium distance or Avant trains, pets weighing less than 10 kg are allowed to travel. This description includes dogs, cats, ferrets and birds (except poultry). Each passenger may be accompanied by only one pet and always in a closed carrier or cabin with a maximum size of 60 x 35 x 35 cm.
Local trains even allow cats and dogs to enter without weight limit, provided that the rest of the passengers do not object. Dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash or, if they are small, like cats, they can travel in a carrier.
Travelling by boat
As with other means of transport, when booking tickets for boat trips, it is essential to indicate that you are travelling with a pet in order to know the different options, the necessary medical certificates and the mandatory requirements depending on the type of ship.
Boat trips, as they are normally long journeys, mean that pets must have a space set aside specifically for their use, equipped with individual kennels. In these cases, the owner is usually allowed to visit the pet during the journey to check that it is well and can even walk with it on the deck of the ship.
On fast ferries, small pets (dogs or cats weighing no more than 6 kg) are usually allowed to travel in a carrier near the owner in a designated area, and there are also companies that allow pets to travel in the cabin with their owners.
Travelling by car
This is one of the most comfortable, popular and least stressful options for pets, in many cases because they are already accustomed to this means of transport.
When travelling by car, there are no specific regulations governing the transport of pets, but article 18.1 of the General Road Traffic Regulations refers to the obligations of the driver, who “is obliged to maintain his own freedom of movement, the necessary field of vision and permanent attention to driving. To this end, he must take care of the positioning of the objects or animals being transported so that there is no interference between the driver and any of them”.
Therefore, the animal must be restrained at the time of the journey and must never travel in the front seat. Failure to do so would be in breach of current regulations and the driver could be fined 80 euros, without withdrawal of points.
The most effective solutions can be harnesses that hold the pet in place by means of the seat belt, a partition grid that allows the boot to be fitted for the transport of large animals in vehicles with a tailgate or the use of a carrier, which can be placed in the boot and positioned transversally to the direction of travel or inside the passenger compartment if the pet is small. The latter is the best option for small pets.
During car journeys, just like humans, our pets will also need to make a pit stop to drink water and relieve themselves, just as they do in their daily lives. Depending on the distance of the journey, they will need more or less stops, but we should bear in mind that they need to get out, get some air and get some exercise if possible.
Other travel tips
In any case, it is highly advisable to consult your vet beforehand and assess which means of transport is the most suitable for pets to travel with peace of mind, and also to offer guidelines to make their experience as positive as possible, such as feeding instructions for the hours before the journey.
On the other hand, if our pet is going to use the carrier for the first time, it is advisable for it to get used to it little by little and, to do this, you can train it at home with the door open for a few days beforehand and reward it every time it enters or sleeps in it. In addition, you can also include a blanket or toy inside so that he has the smell of home close to him.
The most important thing is to act responsibly and never fall into the scourge of abandoning pets during the summer months. Travelling with your pet is possible, it is becoming easier and easier and, if you cannot take them with you, there are nurseries or shelters that can take care of them while you are away.