(To read Part I of this Travel Tips series, click on this link; to read Part II, click here; for Part III, go here)

For our final set of Travel Tips for Traveling with Pets, we’ll look at how to handle some emergencies that may arise while you’re away from home.

1. Your Dog/Cat Becomes Ill

Just as humans can get sick while traveling, so can pets. If your dog or cat seems particularly ill, a call to your veterinarian at home is in order. He or she can advise you whether you should contact a local vet at your family vacation destination.

2. Your Dog Bites Someone

This is every pooch owner’s nightmare, but it can and does happen.

Should your dog bite a person or other animal during your family vacation getaway, you may be the target of legal action. Therefore, it will behoove you to write down as much information about the incident as you can after it occurs. Get the names and phone numbers of the persons or animals affected. Then, quarantine your dog as much as possible. Again, a call to your vet will help you obtain information on how to deal with this unfortunate problem.

3. Your Pet Dies

Again, it’s a horrible thought, but it could absolutely occur that your dog, cat, snake, hamster, pig, et cetera, could pass away at your family vacation spot. If this occurs and you’re in a hotel or condo, contact the manager for information; he or she may have dealt with this situation previously and may be able to connect you with a veterinarian. If you’re in a stand-alone home or cabin, look through the yellow pages or online directories for information on veterinarians.

4. Your Pet Becomes Lost

If your cat or dog gets away from you, contact the local authorities immediately. You may also want to alert people in your hotel or condo, neighborhood tourist spots and residents and perhaps even the newspaper. The more people you inform at your family vacation destination, the better chance you have at finding your furry buddy fast.

5. Your Pet is Miserable

Your cat wails night and day. Your dog moans and won’t eat. You’re at a loss.

Though this wasn’t the family vacation getaway you expected, understand that pets are individuals and won’t necessarily behave the way you expect them to. Therefore, be open to the possibility that you may have to leave your family vacation spot early if things become too rough for your pet. If that isn’t an option, you may simply have to spend more time with your pet than you do on the beach or touring the town.