What Do Snowbirds Do With Their Pets?

When winter winds begin to flow through the continent, the sun-seekers from Northern Europe, Midwest US, Canada, and the Northeast start preparing their plans for the coming spine-chilling cold weather. Like our neighboring flying species, these people migrate to a state or country of their choice to bask in the sun and enjoy the warm weather. This migration lasts weeks or, for some people, even months, according to their suitable schedule. With great affection, these people are given the title "Snowbirds" and are widely defined as those who love it warmly. But what should you do with your pet? Most snowbirds do not want to leave their pets behind.

What Do Snowbirds Do With Their Pets?

If you take your dog, cat, or other animal with you, you must ensure they have up-to-date vaccinations, like rabies. Ask your veterinarian to give you a letter certifying that your pet is in good health and has all the necessary vaccinations. Also, take the vaccination records with you. Even though cats are not required to have rabies shots, we advise you to get them anyway, as many border guards may ask for them. Make sure that you are well prepared to travel with your pet.

These sun-seekers simply move their lives to the south, mainly throughout Southern Europe, Florida, Texas, and states near the Sunbelt. The warm states are filled with migrating humans from all around the north, Midwest, and cold states throughout the season.

This phenomenon is mainly seen among business owners and retired personnel who have enough in their pockets to be away for a couple of months. Snowbirds typically have a second home. Though it costs a fortune to get a vacation home, it seems far better to chill in the warm weather than staying at their actual home. Also, many snowbirds nowadays love to roam around in their own RV, Camper or Motorhome and move from one place to another throughout the cold season.

Taking your pet with you

The biggest challenge that these warm-weather lovers face is deciding what to do with their pets. Pets love to stay in the house and stroll around for a limited time every day. Many physical limitations make these pets vulnerable to long journeys and changes in their atmosphere.

Cats love to stay at a definite place and don't like the idea of moving. On the other hand, dogs love to go on tours but are likelier to fall ill because of their playfulness. This is the hardest challenge for a snowbird. They can't just leave their pets at home for an extended period, nor can they bring their furry friends along on their endeavors. So, what do the snowbirds decide mostly?

Paul and Karen have been snowbirds for as long as they can remember. When it's almost winter, they load their Fleetwood Southwind RV with enough rations for up to 8 weeks and travel to a warmer destination. During their 20 years as snowbirds, they have been to almost every tourist attraction spot around the northern side. That's not all, their baby boy Ralf, a 6-year-old Doberman, has been roaming around with them since the first year of his life. When asked about Ralf, the couple states they can't imagine going on long tours without their baby. He's like their son and he deserves to be with them. Of course, the couple has faced many difficulties because of Ralf. However, their love for their baby is far greater than that. Now, they always advise all the snowbirds to take along their furry friends with them.

Dr. Kyle Hannigan states, "Taking pets on long tours is surely a gamble, but it's a thousand times better than leaving them at home or at daycare. It helps bond with their pet better and provides opportunities to increase their lifespan". Dr. Kyle further adds, "The most important thing to note before even considering taking your pet on a long tour is their physical condition. If your pet has any physical disability or has been diagnosed recently, the decision depends on the doctor. If your pet is healthy and likes occasional short tours, you can take them along if the necessary steps are covered. The necessary steps would include having the scope to contact a specialist at where you're going, keeping the necessary contacts ready for an emergency at all times, and securing a monthly health check at a trusted care home."

 So, if you're a snowbird or just starting to try to cope with the brain-freezing weather, you should have a backup plan for your beloved pet at all times. Yes, you can take your pet with you. But that furry friend of yours should be in perfect health on the day of departure. That being said, it's not all, and you need a lot more knowledge regarding this to handle your lovely animal perfectly.

Let's review some of the most followed rules and common facts about snow-pets (that's what we call them from love)!

Medical Records

Pets can easily get infected compared to us. If your furry friend has recently been diagnosed with anything, you can't take the doctor with you. Be sure to take the medical records with you as a backup. You may never know when you need them. If the records stay with you, you can easily get help from any doctor in times of emergency. Remember, a doctor must check the medical history from top to bottom to suggest a simple diagnosis. So, keep the records with you and keep a backup image of it saved in your mobile. Losing something while you're abroad can be a real pain. Always keep backups so you can use them as a reference in case you lose an important document.

Plenty of Medication

If you're on a particular medication in the long term, wouldn't you bring lots of supplies for the vacation? The same goes for your pet too. If your pet has been on a definite medication for a long time, bring more than enough medication. Remember, your pet is getting a change in the surroundings, and it will take more time than you to cope with everything. Take extra medicine that can help your pet relax when they need to. Don't forget to bring their favorite water bottle or eating bowl. It will help them in coping with the new environment.

Be Ready for Emergencies

Suppose, you're going south and on the way, your cat catches on a heavy cold. What would you do then? Who would you contact? Finding a certified vet around would be tough on short notice. But, if you're prepared for this type of event, it won't make you sweat. Before taking off for your destination, double-check the contact list and include the better-known vets along with your destination. Always be prepared for emergencies as you and your pet will be most vulnerable to foreign viruses and bacteria along the way.

Keep Your Pet Steady

An average dog weighing 30 pounds can have a mass of around 1000 pounds when a car is driving at an average velocity of 40kmph. Imagine you're traveling at that speed and suddenly brake hard. Things won't be too pretty for your friend there. SO, always strap your pet correctly or put them in a comfortable cage while you're traveling at a higher speed. Try not to drive too rough or take twisty turns. That just scares the hell out of them. Keep your speed steady and keep your pet strapped.

Get A Travel Tag

If you don't know what a travel tag is, it is a little tag attached to a pet's collar that helps in knowing their identity and owner's contact number. A travel tag can help big time when traveling to a faraway destination with brief stops. In the travel tag, the information of the pet's name, owner's name, and contact number are added as an encrypted or sometimes direct message. Some travel tags use barcodes or QR codes, while others use direct messages. Get the one you're most comfortable with. It will help find your friend in case you two get separated at any point through the journey.

Keep First-aid Ready

The pet first aid kit is another must-have thing for a snowbird traveling with their pet. You'll be driving on busy roads and making stops at unknown places. A first-aid kit will help take the first step towards saving your friend if anything bad happens. It's very important to know what to pack in the first aid box and how to use them properly. If you travel with a first-aid kit and don't know its usage, what good will it do in times of emergency? You can learn with a simple search online or from your local vet.

There's no alternative to being smart and cautious while taking your dear friend on a brief tour to a warmer place. They hate the cold, maybe not as much as you do but they will be happy to get a chance to go on a month-long trip with you. In case you need a reminder when packing, here's a short checklist of all the things you need to carry while taking your furry little friend with you!

Taking your pet to the winter sun Checklist:

Check	Things You Need
	Latest Medical Records
	Health Certificate
	Enough Supply of Medication
	Contact Information of Local Vet
	A Pet Car Seat
	Pet Travel Tag
	First-aid Kit
	Your Pet's Favorite Toy
	Medicine for Relaxation