Planes, Trains and Automobiles....Travel Safety
Are you planning to take a trip with your bird? If so, your trip will go much more smoothly if you take the time to do some advance planning. Even short trips to the office or the vet's office require some preparation to ensure that your bird travels safely.
Due to their innate curiosity, most birds enjoy traveling and, indeed, the experience can be very intellectually and socially stimulating for them. However, some birds may not make suitable traveling companions if they are easily over-stressed by disruptions to their routine or if they suffer from motion sickness. The first thing to consider when deciding whether to take your bird on a trip is how emotionally and physically well suited they are to travel.
To minimize your bird's stress, it is important to take steps to maintain your parrot's daily routines to the extent possible during travel. The more you do to ensure they have a consistent diet, similar feeding schedules, sleeping hours, opportunities for bathing and interactive, social time with you, the more secure they will feel and the better they will be able to adapt.
The degree of advance planning and preparation required varies depending on the mode of travel, the length of the trip, the location to which you are traveling and the time of year.
Regardless, of your mode of travel the following always holds true:
- Take your bird to the vet for a checkup. Traveling can be very stressful to your bird and if they are already ill then their health could be further impaired by the stress.
- Don't take your bird outside unless it is in a travel cage, wearing an avian flight harness or your bird's wings are properly clipped.
- Check to make sure pets are allowed wherever you plan to stay.
- Know the regulations of each state or country you plan to visit. For example, Quaker Parrots are prohibited in several U.S. States.
- The USDA maintains a helpful pet travel page with links you can follow to help in researching domestic and international pet travel regulations.
- When traveling from state to state check the U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations for "...the latest regulations on interstate movement of animals".
- For international travel see the International Regulations for Animals listed by country.
- The Animal Welfare Act requires that all birds traveling across state lines have a vet issued health certificate dated within 10 days of the date of departure.
- If traveling to another country, make sure you have the proper documentation and health certifications before attempting to travel. Be sure to find out whether there are quarantine requirements at your destination.
- Research the availability of avian vets in the area where you will be traveling and take their contact information with you.
- Check the weather projections, if it looks risky your bird may be better off staying home.
Click here for the rest of our article which includes helpful hints on:
- What to pack for your bird
- Properly outfitting a travel carrier
- Road trips
- Air travel
- Navigating security
- Links to major airline policies
Making your hotel stay safe
