Safe Dog Travel

• Ensure your dog has an ID tag on it's collar in case it gets lost. It will require a number that is reachable to you such as mobile phone number. Your home number is useless unless you have a house sitter who can get in contact with you via a mobile or hotel details. Make sure your dog has his collar on at all times and a lead for when you're out walking.
  
  
• If you have moved house or changed your phone number please contact Central Animal Records www.car.com.au or your state's local microchip registry to update your contact details prior to you going away. Your dog has a microchip for a purpose- in case it gets lost- and unfortunately a lot of people move and think that updating details at their local council and vet will be sufficient but it doesn't help if you have your old address and contact details registered with the microchip registry because the council and vet do not update this record for you. Always provide them with a reliable mobile phone contact which is not changed regularly. Write down your dogs microchip number and take it with you in case you do lose your dog. 
  
  
• Find a recent photo of your dog to take just in case he does get lost so you are able to ask around if anyone has seen it in the area where you lost it. 
  
  
• Your dog will require it's regular food and the bowls you use at home for food and water. Your dog will like something that's familiar from home and may be turned off food that is not part of it's regular diet. Always make sure your dog has clean water.

• Take some toys and fun things from home that will help your dog be settled in a strange place. If you are leaving your dog with strangers whilst you take a day trip without it leave a dirty jumper or t-shirt you have worn recently to comfort the dog. 

• If you're taking your dog to a dog friendly place of accommodation ensure you find out prior to arriving what the terms are of your dog staying with you. If your dog is not allowed inside the property make sure sufficient bedding is brought with you from home for your dog to sleep outside comfortably and safely. 

• Make sure your dog is strapped into the car with a car harness or crate to avoid any injuries if you have a car accident.

• Be considerate to the place you are staying in if you’re taking your dog into a dog friendly property. Brush, bath and de-flea your dog prior to your arrival. 

• Look out for any signs of illness through your dogs behavior such as diarrhea, drooling, vomiting, swelling, fever and if not improving take him to the local vet which can be found under property details on this site. Ensure you write them down before you leave home!
  
  

If you do lose your dog find these helpful tips to finding it. 

• Check under the house, gardens beds, garden sheds or garages it could have been locked in.
  

• Check surrounding streets and places that you've frequented with your dog such as parks and dog beaches.
  

• Check with local vets, pet shops, dog grooming salons, anywhere that a person might take a lost dog to be looked after. Usually this will be the local vet clinic. 
  

• Dog can travel a long way over a short period of time so check with a local council and other councils in the area which may have been picked up by animal control. 
  

• Provide accurate details of your dog eg. Colour, gender, age, breed or cross breed, marks or pattens in fur, microchip number. 
  

• Check with the local paper to see if anyone has placed an advertisement for a found dog to be distributed the following day.