Before You Leave, Make Sure Every Pet in Your Family Is Ready for Summer Travel or Care at Home
As summer approaches in Sedona and the Verde Valley, many families begin planning vacations, road trips, and weekend getaways. Whether your pet will be traveling with you, staying at a boarding facility, or remaining at home with a pet sitter, preparing in advance can help prevent problems and make the experience easier for everyone.
A pet boarding and travel checklist helps ensure your dog or cat stays healthy, comfortable, and safe. It also helps prevent last-minute issues such as expired vaccines, missed medications, or travel-related stress.
At Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic, we recommend planning several weeks ahead so there is plenty of time for veterinary exams, vaccines, medication refills, and any paperwork your pet may need.
Schedule a Wellness Exam Before Your Trip
One of the most important parts of a pet boarding and travel checklist is scheduling a wellness exam before you leave.
A pre-travel or pre-boarding exam is especially important if your pet:
- Has not been seen recently
- Takes medications
- Is older or has a medical condition
- Will be traveling a long distance
- Has never been boarded before
- Is anxious or easily stressed
Your veterinarian at Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic can make sure your pet is healthy enough for travel and help you prepare for any special needs.
For pets traveling across state lines, you may also need a health certificate. Because some certificates must be completed within a certain number of days before travel, it is best not to wait until the last minute.
Make Sure Vaccines and Preventive Medications Are Up to Date
Most boarding facilities require dogs to be current on:
- Rabies
- Distemper/parvo
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
Cats that are boarded often need:
- Rabies
- FVRCP
Before your trip, refill:
- Prescription medications
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea and tick prevention
- Supplements
- Prescription diets or special food
Even though Arizona has a dry climate, fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are still active in Sedona and surrounding areas during the warmer months. A pet boarding and travel checklist should always include making sure your pet is protected before spending time outdoors, staying at a boarding facility, or traveling through other parts of the country.
Traveling by Car with Your Pet
Pets are safest when they are secured during travel.
- Dogs should ride in a crate or with a pet seat belt harness.
- Cats should travel in a secure carrier.
Never allow pets to roam freely in the vehicle. An unrestrained pet can become a dangerous distraction or projectile during a sudden stop or accident.
During summer travel:
- Never leave any pet in a parked vehicle
- Bring water and offer it frequently
- Avoid traveling during the hottest part of the day
- Keep carriers out of direct sunlight
- Take frequent breaks on longer trips
- Watch for signs of overheating, such as panting, drooling, weakness, or rapid breathing
This is especially important in Arizona, where temperatures can rise quickly. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rise nearly 20 degrees in only 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked.
If Your Pet Is Flying
If you plan to fly with your pet, check airline requirements well in advance. Airlines often have strict rules for carriers, health certificates, and pet size restrictions.
Some pets, especially those with breathing issues or flat-faced breeds, may not be good candidates for air travel. Ask your veterinarian at Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic before making plans.
If you are traveling in or out of the United States, review current travel requirements before your trip. Your pet may need vaccinations, health paperwork, or a certificate completed by a veterinarian.
For international travelers flying with pets, Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic partners with PetsFly.com in Arizona. They handle the travel documentation, while we handle the medical requirements. This allows the process to be handled correctly from both sides and helps avoid delays or complications.
For current travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page on Traveling with Pets.
If Your Pet Will Be Boarded
Many people are surprised to learn that boarding facilities often fill up quickly for summer vacation times and holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and July 4th.
Reserve your pet’s spot early and ask what paperwork is required. Some facilities may require:
- Vaccine records
- Emergency contact information
- Medication instructions
- Feeding instructions
- A signed release form
If your dog or cat has never been boarded, consider helping them get used to the experience before your trip.
You may want to:
- Schedule a short daycare visit first
- Let your pet spend one night at the boarding facility before a longer stay
- Visit the facility in advance so you can see where your pet will stay
- Ask what the daily routine is like
When choosing a boarding facility, ask:
- How often pets are walked or let out
- Whether someone is there overnight
- What happens if a pet becomes sick
- Whether they can give medications
- How they handle anxious pets
Pack a Travel or Boarding Bag
No matter where your pet will stay, pack:
- Food for the entire trip or stay, plus extra
- Medications and supplements
- Bowls, leash, carrier, or crate
- Favorite toy, blanket, or familiar bedding
- Vaccine records and emergency contact numbers
- Written care instructions
Having everything packed ahead of time is one of the easiest ways to make a pet boarding and travel checklist work well.
If Your Pet Is Staying with a Pet Sitter
If your pet is staying at home, leave detailed written instructions for your pet sitter.
Include:
- Feeding instructions
- Medication instructions
- Your veterinarian’s name and phone number
- The nearest emergency veterinary hospital
- A backup contact person
- Information about your pet’s normal behavior and routine
You should also leave a list of foods that are unsafe for your pet. Many common foods can be toxic to dogs and cats.
Free PDF Checklists
For your convenience, Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic has created a printable Pet Travel Checklist PDF and a list of Common Foods Toxic to Pets PDF to help you make sure nothing is forgotten before travel day.
Download Our Pet Travel Checklist PDF
Download Our Common Foods Toxic to Pets PDF
Update Identification and Microchip Information
Before you leave:
- Make sure collars and ID tags are current
- Update your pet’s microchip information
- Label carriers, cages, and travel containers with your contact information
- Include your destination and emergency contact number
Make Summer Travel Easier for Every Member of Your Animal Family
A little preparation can make a big difference. Following a pet boarding and travel checklist can help keep your pets safe, healthy, and comfortable while you are away.
If your pets need exams, vaccines, medication refills, health certificates, or travel advice before your summer plans, Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic is here to help. Our team cares for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, and other small pets throughout Sedona and the Verde Valley.
