TRAVELING WITH YOUR BIRD

Planning a vacation with your bird?

ANIMART offers these bird travel tips to make the trip more enjoyable for both you and your bird:

1.  Always travel with your bird in a carrier. A hard-sided plastic dog/cat carrier, outfitted with perches, works well for most birds. Your bird should be able to move around comfortably in the carrier but not take flight. Avoid large dangling toys which could cause injury while traveling.

2. Familiarize your bird with the carrier before the trip. Let your bird explore the carrier often before leaving home. Offer some favorite food, treats and toys inside the carrier.

3. Test drive your bird in its carrier with some short fun trips around town. Visit a nearby friend or pick up some new toys at ANIMART.

4. Secure the carrier with a seat belt so it doesn’t shift in case of sudden stops. Like kids, your bird will be safer in the back seat.

5. Most birds travel best with the carrier partially covered for additional protection. Total darkness may cause the bird to stumble and fall in rough driving.

6. Never leave your bird alone in an unattended vehicle. Even with the windows open on a warm day, the heat can raise quickly, causing heatstroke, death and a quickly ruined vacation.

7. To prevent unwanted baths, use a spill-proof bird water bottle while traveling. Pack a travel kit for your bird: a good supply of its usual food, dishes, treats, toys, perches, an avian harness and a small First Aid Kit including KwikStop in case of an emergency.

8. For added safety clip your bird’s wings before traveling. Use an avian harness and have your bird banded and micro-chipped for identification.

9. Plan ahead for pet-friendly lodging before leaving home. If you are visiting family or friends, make sure your bird is welcome. Be vigilant with a constant eye towards bird-proofing for the safety of both your bird and your holiday lodging.

10. When traveling with your bird, be aware of its surroundings to prevent stress and illness. Avoid loud radios, drafts from windows, air conditioners or heaters, air fresheners, smoke and other irritants.

11. When traveling interstate or flying, as with other pets, you will need a current (within 10 days) health certificate from your veterinarian. Research regulations for where you will be traveling. For example, Quaker parrots are not allowed in several states.

12. Traveling internationally? Check regulations and quarantine periods required for birds to enter and leave the countries you will be traveling in.

13. Some birds travel better than others. Uncontrollable screaming is not welcome anywhere. If your bird does not adjust well to new things it may prefer to stay home with a bird sitter, especially if a quarantine period is required.

ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

We hope these bird travel tips help you and your bird have safe travels together this summer!