International Travel
International travel involves a whole new set of considerations and regulations. If you're taking a dog abroad, be sure to investigate restrictions well in advance of your trip.
Entrance Restrictions
Some countries require health certificates and proof of rabies vaccination before they will admit a dog; others have mandatory quarantine periods for all animals entering the country. To find out what rules apply to you, contact the nearest consulate of the country to which you want to take your dog.
Injuries During International Flights
A person whose animal is injured during an international flight must notify the airline in writing within seven days of receiving the injured animal. If, however, the animal has been lost or killed - not just injured - such notice isn't required, according to at least one United States court.8
As always when flying, it's a good idea to check the airline's liability limitations before you fly. You may want to declare a higher value for your dog. (See "Airline Liability Limits," above.)
Transporting your dog in a car instead of a plane obviously gives you more flexibility and control. It has its own problems, of course: heat, space, food and water and, especially, accommodations along the way.
Federal law requires motels and hotels to allow assistance dogs, even if they don't accept other pets.9
Some counties and states impose restrictions on how dogs can be transported in vehicles. Several states, for example, require dogs in open pickup truck beds to be in cages or cross-tied, so that they don't get thrown from the truck (See State and Local Regulation).
