Tips For Traveling With Your Pets (NAPSA)—Increasingly, when pet owners travel, they’re taking their pet along for the ride. Somesay it’s because they consider their pet to be part of the family, while others say it’s because more hotels and motels are adopting pet-friendly policies. Whatever the reason, according to the owner research experts at Subaru of America, traveling with a pet involves more than just loading the animal in the backseat and hitting the road. The ASPCA offers the following tips to help you prepare for safe and smooth car travel with pets: Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier, or see your automotive dealer for a divider that safely separates pets and cargo from the passenger area. Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. Start your pet’s travel-feeding schedule with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure and don’t feed your pet in a moving vehicle. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a warm day, even with the windows open, a parked vehicle can become dangerously hot. Bring your pet’s food, bowl, leash and a favorite toy or pillow— plus a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies and medication. Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wearsa collar with a tag imprinted with your homeaddress, as well as Don’t allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. This can subject him to infec- tions, and he could be injured by flying objects. a temporary travel tag with your cell phone number, destination phone number and anyotherrelevant contact information. Don’t allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. This can subject him to inner ear damage and lung infections, and he could be injured by flying objects. e If traveling across state lines, bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record, as some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings. Bring your own drinking water—bottled or tap—since drinking water from an area he’s not used to could result in an upset stomachfor yourpet. If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at auto productretailers. For more information about Subaru and its products, visit www.subaru.com.
