So you got your emotional support pet and you need to travel somewhere and take your companion along with you, but you are not really sure how to go along with the process. You can travel with your ESA free of charge but there are things you need to do before, to ensure that your trip is smooth as butter. Here’s what you need to know to prepare to travel with your Emotional Support Animal.Five things that you need to take care of and prepare if you are going to Travel With Your ESA.Look at this list of Travel With Your ESA.
How to Get Ready to Travel With Your ESA
Airlines Rules
Now, each airline has its specific rules when it comes to Emotional Support Animals but there are common rules and unique rules to each airline. The common rule being that passengers have to notify the airline ahead of time that there is an emotional support animal coming at least 48 hours before the scheduled flight. But, for each airline you need to contact them or go and check in person if they have rules of their own regarding ESA.
Foreign Governments Regulations
If you are traveling to a foreign country, then make sure to check the rules and regulations of that country, because each country has a different set of rules when it comes to bringing animals. However, it’s important to do your research before you travel, as each state has its own laws regarding ESAs. For example, a person with an ESA letter in Washington state, for instance, is allowed to bring a pet with them, but there are breed and size restrictions. And in other countries, the policy can be different. So before you book your tickets, make sure to check the ESA pet policy for the area you’re visiting. With a little planning, you and your furry friend can enjoy a stress-free vacation together.
So before you go ahead and book your flight, do a little search on the requirements for bringing ESA along, and whether there would be a quarantine period for the animal, as some airports require the animal to be quarantined before they can be allowed out into the country. Additionally, some governments don’t allow certain breeds to be brought in from abroad, so make sure that you will not face a problem in that area.
Documents Required
In order for you not to be charged a fee for your ESA, you need to provide a letter from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or a social worker. Residents in Canada, for instance, have certified people that are expected to do this. Only a licensed healthcare professional or a doctor in your province can provide you with a letter for Emotional support animals in Canada, without this letter your animal is just a normal pet. Additionally, once you provide this letter to the airline, they will need to make sure of the healthcare professional’s license, date of license issue, and that the province is indicated in the letter, and that all are up to date. Some airlines will need to further verify that this letter is authentic, so they will either provide you with a letter or they will contact the healthcare professional to verify your case.
Preparing the Animal for the Flight
Not all airports are pet friendly, so make sure you look into the airports you are traveling from and the airport you’re arriving at by contacting them. Some airports allow animals such as dogs to be out of the carrier, and they even have specific places for your pet to enjoy. It’s also important to keep in mind that preparing your companion for the airport’s slightly chaotic atmosphere is crucial, because details such as the announcer in the loudspeaker might be unsettling for your furry friend, and might distress it. Try to arrive a little early so you can give your animal adequate time to go potty before going inside the airport to avoid accidents, because it is hard to take your animal to go potty once inside the airport. Additionally, get your animal used to loud noises and strangers because when they are used to these noises and seeing a lot of strangers around them, they will be calmer and less distressed. Make sure to wear pants that have pockets to have your treats ready to reward good behavior especially when in checkpoints, because they will have to go through these checkpoints alone, while you wait for them on the other end of the checkpoint.
Extra Preparations
It’s worth mentioning that training your ESA to follow verbal commands will make your life easier while going through the motions inside the airport. If the airport requires you to have a carrier or a crate, make sure it’s comfortable enough for your animal to be able to move around inside without causing it any discomfort. Make sure your animal gets used to the carrier ahead of time by placing them inside the carrier, so they can get used to being confined to tight spaces for a long time, as well as allowing them to become accustomed to the motions during travel.
It is also helpful if you put a towel or potty pads on inside the carrier just to be extra careful in case of accidents. Preferably refrain from feeding the animal at least five hours before the flight, but a little water is okay. It’s also recommended that you label the carrier with your personal information, boarding material, and the animal’s health certificate.
Traveling with your ESA might sound like a tedious job. However, if you have the necessary documents and you notified the airline in person or through a phone call before the flight, then you don’t have to worry about facing issues with the airline. Also, if your ESA is ready for the journey you won’t be having a hard time in that area either.
