FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2008

TRAVELING THIS SUMMER? TAKE YOUR PET – BUT START WITH SOME TIPS FROM YOUNG-WILLIAMS ANIMAL CENTER

Memorial Day weekend brings another busy summer of travel for many families. Whether on the road or in the air, your pet can be part of the adventure if you prepare, starting with some tips from Young-Williams Animal Center.

First and foremost, visit your vet before leaving on your journey. “A thorough physical is a must to make sure your pet is healthy enough for travel,” said Tim Adams, executive director of Young-Williams Animal Center. “Your pets should also be current on all vaccinations and boosters. You may need to show proof of these when crossing state or international borders,” said Adams.

Other tips before leaving include:

• Make sure in advance that your pet is welcome and allowed at hotels, motels, parks, campgrounds and even your friend or family’s house. Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable with pets running loose when no one is home.
• Be sure your pet can be identified with a collar, current rabies tag and/or a microchip. Young-Williams Animal Center provides low-cost microchipping. Your vet should also be able to provide the service. Keep a current photo of your pet with you for identification.
• To make your pet more comfortable while traveling, have their favorite food, toys and dishes available. Pack your essentials in one bag or suitcase for easy access.
• When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit with gauze, bandages, antiseptic and emergency phone numbers including your vet and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in your destination area.

Car travel

If you are traveling by car, prepare your pet for the road by taking it for some short rides leading up to the trip. Never allow your pet to ride in the front passenger seat. Cats should remain in a cage or crate so they don’t wander around the car or get under your feet while you are driving. Special seat belts for dogs are also available at retail stores.

Make sure you have a jug of water handy or purchase bottled water. Drinking from an unfamiliar source could upset your pet’s stomach.

Never leave your pet in a parked car for more than a few minutes. Be aware of weather conditions. You should never leave your pet in a parked car for any time during warmer months when the temperature and/or humidity are high. Temperatures inside a vehicle can climb to over 100 degrees in just a few minutes, even in the shade.

Air travel

Air travel may require extra preparation and caution. There are a number of federal and airline regulations that apply, such as having a health certificate for your pet. Contact your airline in advance for specific regulations and ask about how animals are handled during the flight. Also contact your vet about any preparations for this type of travel.

The Young-Williams Animal Center is the official animal shelter for Knox County and the city of Knoxville. The center is a nonprofit organization that turns no animal away and is dedicated to the sheltering and placement of animals, general animal welfare, and public education of companion animal issues.

The Young-Williams Animal Center is conveniently located just off Sutherland Avenue at the entrance to John Tarleton Park at 3201 Division St. in Knoxville. The center is 8/10th of a mile from the intersection of Kingston Pike and Neyland Drive/Concord Street and offers animals for adoption Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.

For more information about Young-Williams Animal Center, including detailed driving directions, call (865) 215-6599 or visit http://www.knoxpets.org.

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