Travelling Pets

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:26:39 GMT

Current Revision posted to The Practice Survival Guide by Arlo Guthrie on 1/7/2009 3:26:39 PM

INTRODUCTION

Clients often approach nurses and receptionists for advice about travelling with a pet. It is important to have a good knowledge of the practical aspects involved. A client may wish to:

Travel with a pet in the UK and Ireland
Travel with a pet abroad using the PETS scheme
Export a pet due to relocation overseas

You could be asked for advice about anything, from how to introduce a puppy to car travel, to the least stressful way of transporting cats from Brighton to Scotland during a house move. So be prepared.

It's a good idea to keep a list of useful telephone numbers and websites for your clients. Include the following: local cattery, local boarding kennels, local quarantine kennels (experts on import/export/transport regulations), the PETS Helpline and DEFRA. Keep plenty of literature about relevant products, such as Feliway and Rabisin. DEFRA also produces a useful brochure.

You could also use this chapter as the basis for an information leaflet for clients that ask about travelling with their pets.