As summer travel picks up, many pet owners are preparing to bring their animals along for vacations, family visits, or relocations. Whether your clients are flying or driving, they rely on you as their veterinarian to help ensure their pets are healthy, compliant, and safe for travel.
At GlobalVetLink, we support clinics with tools that streamline certificate preparation and communication with pet owners. Use the following tips to counsel your clients effectively during summer travel season.
Help Clients Understand Travel Requirements
One of the most important steps in summer pet travel is documentation. Make sure your clients are aware of what they need for the journey:
- Domestic Travel: Most states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for dogs, cats, and other companion animals crossing state lines. Clients often do not realize that this applies to ground travel as well as air travel.
- Airline Travel: Many airlines require a CVI or International Health Certificate issued within 10 days of travel. They may also request acclimation statements, especially for pets traveling in cargo holds.
- Digital Convenience: By issuing certificates through GlobalVetLink, you can provide owners with digital access to their documents through MyVetLink, eliminating the need for printing or mailing.
Advise clients to plan ahead and schedule certificate appointments at least one to two weeks before departure.
Educate Clients on Summer Heat Risks
Pets are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses during the summer. Encourage your clients to take precautions:
- Recommend traveling during cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or evenings.
- Emphasize that pets should never be left unattended in a parked vehicle.
- Suggest bringing water, collapsible bowls, and cooling gear such as mats or vests.
- Discuss signs of heat stress and advise on how to respond if symptoms occur.
Short-nosed breeds and older animals are especially at risk and may require more careful consideration or alternative travel arrangements.
Prepare Clients for Air Travel with Pets
For clients traveling by air, it is important to guide them through airline-specific requirements:
- Recommend booking direct flights when possible to reduce travel time and stress.
- Explain the importance of using an airline-approved carrier that allows the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down.
- Suggest labeling carriers with clear identification and including a comfort item from home.
- Ensure clients understand that documentation timing is critical. Certificates often need to be issued within 10 days of travel and, in some cases, endorsed by USDA APHIS for international destinations.
Air travel can be particularly stressful during summer months, so early preparation and education go a long way in helping clients avoid complications.
Provide Road Travel Recommendations
Traveling by car may seem simpler, but it still requires careful planning. Guide your clients with these safety tips:
- Encourage the use of pet seatbelt harnesses or travel crates to protect pets in the event of sudden stops or accidents.
- Advise scheduling frequent breaks for hydration, exercise, and bathroom needs.
- Recommend bringing a travel bag with food, medications, waste bags, and a printed or digital copy of the health certificate.
- Remind clients that keeping a pet’s head out the window may be enjoyable for the pet but is dangerous and can lead to injury.
Providing a written travel checklist for clients can be a helpful way to reinforce this guidance.
Review Destination-Specific Regulations
Whether traveling across state lines or internationally, destinations may have their own entry rules for pets:
- Encourage clients to research requirements in advance and confirm documentation or vaccine needs specific to their destination.
- Review vaccine status and remind clients of any booster needs prior to travel.
- For international trips, stress the importance of starting the process early, especially if USDA endorsement is required.
You can streamline this process with GlobalVetLink’s digital certificate platform, which helps ensure that certificates meet current regulations and simplifies delivery to the pet owner.
Supporting Your Clients with GlobalVetLink
Helping your clients navigate the complexities of summer pet travel builds trust and strengthens your relationship as their veterinarian. By leveraging GlobalVetLink’s digital CVIs and owner tools like MyVetLink, your clinic can provide efficient and accurate documentation while educating clients on responsible travel practices.