Shipping Pets

Altus has ten "pet friendly" temporary lodging rooms; cost is $96.00 plus $10.00 pet fee per night.

Rooms fill quickly. Boarding in the local community is also available.

You can also research additional kennels in the area.

Remember, it is a good idea to make advanced reservations for pet boarding as soon as you know your arrival date.

Your sponsor can be of assistance with this.

Be sure to have your pet's immunization records in hand.

Identification

A disaster in the making is a pet in transit without identification. Dogs break free from leashes and cats dash out of cages left open for just a second. The opportunities for pets being separated from their owners are numerous. Avoid the potential loss of a beloved pet by purchasing a comfortable collar (elastic for cats) bearing complete identification tags. The information should include your pet's name, your name, address, and phone number. A license tag is also necessary and can be obtained from your local humane organization. If your pet is a cat who has never worn a collar, allow time for the cat to become accustomed to wearing something around his neck. As an additional safeguard, you may want to consider tattooing as a permanent form of identification. Your pet can have a number (the last four of a family member's social security number, for example) tattooed on the inside of his ear or flank. Then, if your pet breaks free of both carrier and collar, he can still be positively identified. Another way to identify your pet is to attach the name and number of your present veterinarian clinic. Be sure that your present vet knows where you are going. If your pet becomes lost, the finder can contact the vet, and the vet can then contact your gaining installation and attempt to get you together again.

Health

Nothing can waylay a trip faster than an an animal with a health problem. Your pet's well-being should be of primary importance to you. Your pet will be subjected to conditions guaranteed to cause stress. A clean bill of health is an important first step in assuring your pet's ability to adjust safely to unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, most states and countries require recent health certificates and disease inoculation documentation before you will be allowed to cross borders, making a trip to the veterinarian mandatory. Even if you are traveling within your own state boundaries, it is a good idea to have your pet examined and inoculated. Your pet will be "out of his own backyard" and subject to contact with unknown animals. His chances of contracting disease or infection greatly increase. Have your pet examined by a licensed veterinarian, preferably one who has cared for the animal on a regular basis. Ask the doctor to prescribe a motion sickness pill or sedative as a preventive measure. Don't tranquilize your animal automatically. Sedated animals are more likely to develop problems. (Note: Motion sickness pills are preferable to tranquilizers). Never give your pet tranquilizers without your vet's approval and never give an animal any medication that has been prescribed for human use. Avoid traveling with an animal during extreme weather. Exceptionally cold or hot weather can result in hyper- and hypothermia, heart failure, even death. During summer months, schedule travel for early morning or evening hours.

For more details see Pets and International Travel - United States Department of State https://www.state.gov/pets-and-international-travel/