Traveling anywhere can be stressful at the best times, but travelling with an emotional support animal (ESA) can be overwhelming if you don’t know your rights or where to begin. Check out the guide below to ensure you know what to do before starting!
Get Your Animal Registered
Before you embark on whatever exciting journey awaits you, it’s best to sign up for ESA Registration. Registering your pet will help you to keep up-to-date on any changes in the law on a state and national level. For example, should ESAs be barred from flying, you’ll be given that information rather than having to seek that out yourself.
Other benefits of registration might include the following:
- You get sent deals on products relating to your furry companion.
- Your number is searchable in a database.
Don’t Travel Without Your Letter
Contact your licensed mental health practitioner (LMHP) to obtain your ESA letter. An ESA letter proves your pet is an emotional support companion. It can also explain your need to travel with your pet, making it far easier to travel by public transport or plane.
Make sure you only obtain your letter from an LMHP!
If You’re Travelling By Plane
It used to be that under the Air Access Carrier Act, you didn’t have to pay a fee to have the comfort of your companion traveling with you in the cabin. However, due to recent changes, the law no longer protects emotional support animals; they no longer have that right, and you can be charged a fee if permitted.
While praised by airlines, this relatively new rule has upset many who must travel with their pet. Whenever you plan to fly with your pet, check your airline’s policies on emotional support animals before arriving at the airport to avoid unwanted stress and fees.
Pack Plenty Of Supplies
When traveling, you must ensure you have everything your emotional support dog, cat, rabbit, or hamster will need. Always pack more than you need in case of emergencies. You don’t want unexpected twists in your journey to upset you or your furry companion.
Also, could you consider your mode of transport and the season? Summer is dangerous when it comes to traveling with pets, and it’s essential that you take plenty of water to avoid dehydration and never leave a pet in the car on a hot day.
Always Plan Ahead
You must check in with your accommodation too. By law, hotels don’t have to host you and your animal if they don’t want to. However, if you call ahead and explain your situation, you might be surprised at how accommodating hotels can be.
To avoid stress, it’s worth looking for pet-friendly places first. Then, if there’s nothing suitable, call around hotels. There’s no point in doing unnecessary work for yourself!
Travel Safe!
Pay attention to your pet in all the planning! Pack plenty of supplies, plan, and register your animal to stay up-to-date on all the latest ESA news!
