Are you the sort of parent who likes the idea of traveling with your beloved fur baby in tow? Do you especially enjoy train rides? Is your train ride incomplete unless you’re traveling with pets?
If you answered “yes” to either question, you’re in luck. The USA’s only cross-country railway system Amtrak has allowed dogs and cats on select train lines since 2015.
As long as they fit the company’s stipulated size restrictions, your pet can board an Amtrak train with you for a reasonable fee of USD $26.
Many smaller regional train companies around the country also welcome pets, and some may even allow your pet to ride for free.
It’s important to remember, however, that train rides can be disconcerting for your pets, especially if they rarely leave your home.
Fortunately, there are many concrete things you can do to make the journey easier and more comfortable for yourself, your pet, and other passengers.
If you’re thinking of taking your dog or cat aboard a train sometime soon, the following tips can help guarantee a hassle-free experience.
6 Things You Must Know Before Traveling With Pets
Make Sure Your Pet’s ID Is in Order
Losing your fur baby in an unfamiliar place is a worst-case scenario no devoted pet owner wants to think about, but it helps to prepare for it regardless.
Before all else, ensure that they always have some kind of identification on them. ID tags that you can clip onto standard leather collars, nylon dog collars, or harnesses are always a useful option.
It will also help to get your pet microchipped if you haven’t already. These IDs will help the individuals or organizations who happen to find your pet return them to you speedily and safely.
When considering an ID tag for your pet, make sure you at least have the following: their name, and something along the lines of “if found, please call….” and your phone number. If there is an option to double-engrave on the ID tag, consider adding your address.
That way, while traveling with pets, if anything happens you can be assured that whoever finds them will be able to safely return them.
You can obtain an ID tag from any pet store- for the U.S. readers, we’d recommend somewhere like PetSmart or PetCo- it’s usually under USD $20 and takes only a few minutes.
Even if you have a nylon dog collar and a microchip, having a physical tag can be extremely helpful on your journey of traveling by train.