Traveling with pets can be rewarding, but requires careful planning and consideration for their safety and comfort.
Never leave pets in a car in extreme temperatures, even for short periods, as it can be life-threatening.
Research pet-friendly accommodations, transportation options and local regulations before traveling.
Ensure pets have proper identification, necessary vaccinations and essential supplies for the journey.
Consult a veterinarian for advice on medications, travel anxiety and airline regulations if flying with pets.
Lori Kalef never goes on vacation without her three dogs in tow. She often takes them with her around town as well.
But Kalef has a hard rule to not leave them in her car if the temperature might be too hot or too cold outside. That’s because it can quickly get too hot or too cold inside the car for the dogs and endanger their health.
Kalef, would know. As the director of programs for global animal rescue group SPCA International, Kalef is well-versed in the transportation of animals.
For example, about six years ago, SPCA International was part of an effort to bring dozens of dogs from Chernobyl in northern Ukraine to North America. The dogs are the descendants of the pets left behind in 1986, when an explosion of the city’s nuclear power plant forced an evacuation of more than 100,000 people, and they had to leave their pets behind.
More recently, in April 2024, SPCA International brought 70 dogs from the West Bank to the United States. As the Detroit Free Press reported, part of the USA TODAY Network, 10 of the dogs — which were caught up in fighting from the Israel-Hamas war — ended up in Michigan for adoption.
Kalef said traveling with a pet, if you can do it properly, is rewarding for both you and the animal.
Advice from an expert
