If you’re like most cat lovers, the first thing you think of when planning a trip or vacation is “what about my cat?” Leaving Fluffy home alone seems not quite right. But a bad experience in the car or on a plane can make you both homesick in a hurry. Read on to learn the rules of the road.

If you’ve decided to take your cat along, start by making sure your feline friend has proper identification, should he stray or get lost. This means either a collar with ID tag, a microchip, or both. Bring along a current photo of your pet should you need to create a "lost" poster. Your next step should be to schedule a visit to the veterinarian. This will ensure your cat is in good enough health to travel and is current on all necessary vaccinations. This is a good time to get an up to date copy of your pet's health records to bring along on your trip. Health records will be required should your pet become ill and have to visit a veterinarian while away from home. These records are also mandatory should you find you must board your pet for some unexpected reason during your travels. Then it’s time to decide how you and your cat are going to get there.

Air Travel has become more complex and stressful over the past decade, and not just for humans. Plan well ahead and be prepared to do a good deal of research and comparison shopping before you book a flight for you and your cat. Rules, restrictions and fees can vary dramatically depending on carrier, destination, and time of year.

There are two basic options for the feline passenger: cabin or cargo. Pets weighing fifteen pounds or less (including carrier) can usually go in the cabin, and most cats can squeeze into this category. The carrier, with kitty inside, must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Your cat must stay inside the carrier for the duration of the flight. And don’t try sneaking any extra stowaways, because airlines allow only one cat per passenger. Finally, spots for pets in the cabin are subject to limited availability. You’ll want to confirm that there’s room for your cat on the flight before you commit.

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