How to Transport a Dog From One State to Another

Traveling with your dog from state to state can be exciting, yet stressful. Whether you are driving or flying, proper precautions must be taken to ensure your pet's safety and to follow the guidelines that are implemented by government agencies. While there are general tips that all travelers should take into consideration, there may be specific rules that pertain to the individual state to which you are moving.

Things You'll Need

  • Appropriately-sized crate or travel restraint device
  • Health certificate
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Instructions

  1. Transporting By Air

    • 1

      Obtain a safe traveling device to place your animal in when traveling from state to state. Each airline has crate and bag size requirements that should be reviewed before entering the plane.

    • 2

      Take your dog to your veterinarian for a health certificate. Health certificates must be obtained within 10 days of travel, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. This certificate typically states that your pooch is free of parasites and is in healthy condition. In addition, most airlines require that pets are current on their rabies vaccinations.

    • 3

      Consult with your airline about its specific requirements for pets on airplanes. The Department of Agriculture has general guidelines, including that animals must be at least eight weeks of age and have food and water in their crates if the flight is longer than 12 hours. However, your airline may have additional requirements that could result in refusal of travel if not followed correctly. Most airlines have pick-up and drop-off times, along with designated areas to leave your dog.

    • 4

      Decide how you want to travel with your canine on the plane. Many airlines offer travel options for pets in the cabin, in the baggage area or in cargo. Not all pets qualify for cabin travel because of their sizes. Consult with your airline as to what method of travel best suits your dog.

    Transporting By Car

    • 5

      Restrain your dog in a crate or a safety restraint device when driving. This will prevent your dog from jumping out of a window, startling you or crawling around your feet and the car pedals.

    • 6

      Roll your window down slightly to let air in and to keep your dog inside, according to the veterinary website PetPlace.com. Avoid allowing your dog to stick her head out of the window, as the road can present many dangers, such as sideswiping cars and flying debris.

    • 7

      Let your dog out every few hours to relieve herself and walk around. Consider feeding and watering your dog at this time as well, and don't forget to bring scoops and baggies for waste disposal.

    • 8

      Take your dog with you when exiting the car, if possible. Leaving your dog in a hot car can quickly cause her to die because of the scorching heat, says PetPlace.com. If you leave your car running to allow the air conditioner to work, you are at a high risk of having your car stolen.