When traveling with your family this year, perhaps you want to take the rest of your family with you, your beloved furbabies too, but you are not quite sure how best to prepare and to ensure a safe trip with them along as well. As a pet parent, you feel like a trip is not a fun trip without your furbabies there with you. Here are some quick tips to help you plan a safe and fun trip with your dog or cat member of the family too.

Remember, no matter where you are going or how you plan to get there, the ASPCA recommends you make sure your pet is microchipped for proper ID, wears a collar and tag imprinted with your name, phone number and any relevant contact information, and include a temporary travel tag with your cell phone and destination phone number for the duration of your trip.

If traveling by plane, unless your pet is small enough to fit in the seat with you, it is really best to avoid the skies with your pet for his or her safety. But if you must travel with your pets via plane, book a direct flight only, to avoid your pet getting mishandled by baggage employees during a layover, lost, or get sick during extreme weather, or worse, lost, stolen or dies during your plane trip. On the crate, mark the words in large clear print “Live Animal” along with your full name, phone number, destination, photo of your pet too, and carry another photo of your pet with you during your trip.

If traveling by car, first be sure you pack enough necessary supplies for your pets, like food, snacks, water and food dishes, toys, blankets, crate, and medicines to ensure a safe and good trip with them. Be sure your pet is comfortable and has a comfy place to lay in your vehicle, and has ample space to move around if not crated. Be sure to look up all the pet friendly stops along the way before your trip, so you can plan those stops for potty and food breaks accordingly. Be sure to leave your home and plan for those extra stops with your pets. Have proper ID on your pet as well. Be sure any place you stay during your trip is also pet-friendly and inquire long before you book your trip, how many pets are permitted, do they restrict weights of pets as well, and are there fees charged in addition to your regular stay?

Follow these suggestions and you and your beloved pet will have a safe, happy and healthy vacation, with memories to last a lifetime as well.