Before You Leave, Use a Pet Boarding and Travel Checklist to Prepare Your Pet
As summer approaches in Schoolcraft, Michigan, many families begin planning vacations, road trips, and weekend getaways. Whether your pet will be joining you or staying at a boarding facility, daycare, or with a pet sitter, preparation matters.
Using a pet boarding and travel checklist before your trip helps ensure your dog or cat stays healthy, comfortable, and safe. It also prevents avoidable problems such as expired vaccines, missed medications, or unnecessary stress.
At Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic, we recommend planning several weeks ahead so there is time for exams, vaccines, medication refills, and any required paperwork.
Schedule a Wellness Exam Before Your Trip
One of the most important steps on your pet boarding and travel checklist is scheduling a wellness exam several weeks before you leave.
Many boarding facilities require proof that your pet is healthy and current on vaccines. If your pet is traveling with you, the exam confirms they are physically able to handle the trip.
A pre-travel or pre-boarding exam is especially important if your pet:
- Has not been seen recently
- Takes medications
- Is a senior pet
- Has a chronic medical condition
- Will be flying or traveling long distances
- Has never been boarded before
- Has anxiety or is easily stressed
Travel and boarding can trigger stomach upset, anxiety, or worsening medical conditions. Your veterinarian at Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic can address these risks before they become problems.
Make Sure Vaccines Are Up to Date
Vaccines are a necessary part of any pet boarding and travel checklist.
Most boarding facilities require dogs to be current on:
- Rabies
- Distemper/parvo
- Bordetella (kennel cough)
- Canine influenza (in some facilities)
Cats that will be boarded often need:
- Rabies
- FVRCP
- Sometimes feline leukemia
Whether traveling or boarding, your pet is exposed to new environments, animals, and pathogens. Updated vaccines provide important protection.
Refill Medications and Preventives
Do not wait until the night before your trip.
Your pet boarding and travel checklist should include confirming you have enough of your pet’s:
- Prescription medications
- Heartworm prevention
- Flea and tick prevention
- Anxiety medication (if prescribed)
- Special food or supplements
Bring extra supplies in case of delays.
If Your Pet Is Flying
Flying places physical and emotional stress on pets. Plan ahead.
Before flying:
- Confirm airline carrier requirements
- Acclimate your pet to the carrier in advance
- Verify if a health certificate is required
- Bring vaccine records and microchip information
Pets with breathing issues, heart conditions, or flat-faced breeds may not tolerate air travel safely. Always consult your veterinarian at Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic before making plans.
Flying In and Out of the United States
If traveling internationally, requirements are strict and time sensitive.
Pets may require:
- Specific vaccinations
- Health certificates
- Additional documentation
For current requirements, visit: CDC Pet Travel Information
If Your Pet Is Traveling by Car
A complete pet boarding and travel checklist includes safe vehicle transport.
Pets should never roam freely in a vehicle. They should be secured in a crate, carrier, or pet seatbelt harness.
An unrestrained pet becomes a projectile in a sudden stop or accident, placing both the pet and passengers at risk.
During road trips:
- Never leave your pet alone in a parked car
- Offer water frequently
- Stop for breaks every few hours
- Feed lightly before travel if needed
- Keep cats in carriers
- Bring familiar items
The temperature inside your vehicle can rise about 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes and nearly 30 degrees in 20 minutes. The longer you wait, the higher the temperature climbs. At one hour, your vehicle’s interior temperature can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s over 110 degrees inside your vehicle.
For more information on traveling in a car with a pet visit AVMA Pet Safety in Vehicles
If Your Pet Will Be Boarded
Boarding facilities often fill up quickly for summer vacation times and holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and July 4th.
Reserve your pet’s spot early and ask what paperwork is required. Some facilities may require:
- Vaccine records
- Emergency contact information
- Medication instructions
- Feeding instructions
- A signed release form
If your dog or cat has never been boarded, consider helping them get used to the experience before your trip.
You may want to:
- Schedule a short daycare visit first
- Let your pet spend one night at the boarding facility before a longer stay
- Visit the facility in advance so you can see where your pet will stay
- Ask what the daily routine is like
When choosing a boarding facility, ask:
- How often pets are walked or let out
- Whether someone is there overnight
- What happens if a pet becomes sick
- Whether they can give medications
- How they handle anxious pets
Pack a Travel Bag for Your Pet
Your pet boarding and travel checklist should include packing essentials ahead of time.
Pack:
- Food (plus extra)
- Bowls
- Leash, collar, harness
- Carrier or crate
- Favorite toy or bedding
- Waste or litter supplies
- Medications
- Vaccine records
- Emergency contacts
- Your veterinarian’s information
Download Our Free Pet Travel Checklist
For your convenience, Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic has created a Pet Travel Checklist PDF to help you prepare before travel day.
Download Our Pet Travel Checklist PDF
If Your Pet Is Staying with a Pet Sitter
If your pet is staying home, your pet boarding and travel checklist should include clear written instructions.
Provide:
- Feeding schedule
- Medication instructions
- Food restrictions
- Routine and behavior notes
- Veterinary contact information
- Emergency clinic contact
- Backup contact
Download Our Common Foods Toxic to Pets Checklist
Many everyday foods that seem harmless can be dangerous for dogs and cats. To make it easier to keep track of the most common foods to avoid, Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic has created a Common Foods Toxic to Pets PDF that you can print or keep handy for pet sitters, or anyone caring for your pet.
Download Our Common Foods Toxic to Pets PDF
Update Identification and Microchip Information
No pet boarding and travel checklist is complete without ID verification.
Before leaving:
- Confirm ID tags are accurate
- Verify phone numbers
- Update microchip information
Make Summer Travel Easier for You and Your Pet
A strong pet boarding and travel checklist helps prevent emergencies, reduce stress, and protect your pet’s health.
If your pet needs an exam, vaccines, medications, or travel guidance, Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic is here to help.
