Post by Julie on Feb 14, 2006 14:48:55 GMT
Do you need to take your bird somewhere? By aeroplane or car? The following is great advice supplied by Sal:-
How do I go about traveling with my budgie on an airplane?
There are two ways to take a budgie on an airplane: in the cargo and in the cabin. Most people recommend taking them in the cabin where you are able to be with them at all times and can be sure of their in-flight care. When taking your budgie on an airplane, there are some things that you must do beforehand to make it a safe, easy, and hassle free flight.
Things to Do Before the Flight:
• Make your reservations early. In order to take a budgie with you in the cabin of the plane you will need to have a special pass for them which usually cost around $50 or so each way. Your reservations need be made far enough in advance because airlines only allow one animal in the cabin per flight.
• Get a certificate of health from a veterinarian. It is also a good idea, if not a requirement for some airlines and states, to have a certificate of health dated within a few days of the scheduled trip. They do not always ask to see it, but if they do and you do not have it, your budgie could end up in their quarantine which is not something you want to happen. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry and get a veterinarian to sign a dated certificate of health.
• Buy a special pet carrier. You will need a special pet carrier. This should be small enough to fit underneath the seat in the airplane. Many pet stores have these; just makes sure that the bars are close enough together so that your budgie cannot escape.
Things to Bring on the Day of the Flight:
• Food and Water. On the day of the flight you will need to provide food and water for your budgie inside the pet carrier. It is usually a good idea to include some treats or favorite foods for them to eat, although many budgies will not eat until the flight it over. Instead of a dish of water, you might want to put fresh, wet greens or a water bottle inside the carrier to avoid spills and possible chills. If you do decide on a water bottle, make sure your budgie has learned how to use it before the flight.
• Towel or Cloth. It is also a good idea to bring a towel or cloth to cover the carrier to protect your budgie from drafts and over stimulation. This also serves as something to wipe up spills or messes if the need arises.
• Styptic Powder & Cotton Balls. In case of an emergency like a broken blood feather, it is a good idea to have styptic powder (like Kwik Stop) and cotton balls handy.
• The Certificate of Health. Make sure to remember this!
How do I go about traveling with my budgie in a car?
Most budgies make pretty good car travelers but some budgies will find it quite stressful. To help alleviate some of this stress and to get an idea of how your budgies handle car rides, it is a good idea to take a test drive or two to get your budgie used to riding in the car.
• Replace hard perches with softer rope perches which are easier and more comfortable for budgies to hold onto in a moving car.
• Take out most of the toys so they don't swing or fly off and hit the budgie.
• Bring a light colored cloth to cover part of the cage with. A light colored cloth will reflect light and keep drafts away from your budgie.
• It is best to put the cage on a seat instead of on the floor because some cars, especially older cars, can leak toxic fumes which often seep through small holes in the bottom of the car.
• If possible, buckle their cage into a seat belt which helps to keep it from rocking around too much.
• Avoid direct drafts of air conditioning and open windows toward your budgie.
• Secure all the cage doors with clasps, or even twist ties.
• Provide fresh food and water for them. Water bottles or wet greens could be replaced for water dishes to avoid spills. Treat foods can sometimes coax even a stressed budgie to eat something.
NOTE: If your car has a passenger side airbag, make sure the budgies are in the back seat. The impact of an airbag can crush the cage/carrier and kill your budgie.
How do I go about traveling with my budgie on an airplane?
There are two ways to take a budgie on an airplane: in the cargo and in the cabin. Most people recommend taking them in the cabin where you are able to be with them at all times and can be sure of their in-flight care. When taking your budgie on an airplane, there are some things that you must do beforehand to make it a safe, easy, and hassle free flight.
Things to Do Before the Flight:
• Make your reservations early. In order to take a budgie with you in the cabin of the plane you will need to have a special pass for them which usually cost around $50 or so each way. Your reservations need be made far enough in advance because airlines only allow one animal in the cabin per flight.
• Get a certificate of health from a veterinarian. It is also a good idea, if not a requirement for some airlines and states, to have a certificate of health dated within a few days of the scheduled trip. They do not always ask to see it, but if they do and you do not have it, your budgie could end up in their quarantine which is not something you want to happen. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry and get a veterinarian to sign a dated certificate of health.
• Buy a special pet carrier. You will need a special pet carrier. This should be small enough to fit underneath the seat in the airplane. Many pet stores have these; just makes sure that the bars are close enough together so that your budgie cannot escape.
Things to Bring on the Day of the Flight:
• Food and Water. On the day of the flight you will need to provide food and water for your budgie inside the pet carrier. It is usually a good idea to include some treats or favorite foods for them to eat, although many budgies will not eat until the flight it over. Instead of a dish of water, you might want to put fresh, wet greens or a water bottle inside the carrier to avoid spills and possible chills. If you do decide on a water bottle, make sure your budgie has learned how to use it before the flight.
• Towel or Cloth. It is also a good idea to bring a towel or cloth to cover the carrier to protect your budgie from drafts and over stimulation. This also serves as something to wipe up spills or messes if the need arises.
• Styptic Powder & Cotton Balls. In case of an emergency like a broken blood feather, it is a good idea to have styptic powder (like Kwik Stop) and cotton balls handy.
• The Certificate of Health. Make sure to remember this!
How do I go about traveling with my budgie in a car?
Most budgies make pretty good car travelers but some budgies will find it quite stressful. To help alleviate some of this stress and to get an idea of how your budgies handle car rides, it is a good idea to take a test drive or two to get your budgie used to riding in the car.
• Replace hard perches with softer rope perches which are easier and more comfortable for budgies to hold onto in a moving car.
• Take out most of the toys so they don't swing or fly off and hit the budgie.
• Bring a light colored cloth to cover part of the cage with. A light colored cloth will reflect light and keep drafts away from your budgie.
• It is best to put the cage on a seat instead of on the floor because some cars, especially older cars, can leak toxic fumes which often seep through small holes in the bottom of the car.
• If possible, buckle their cage into a seat belt which helps to keep it from rocking around too much.
• Avoid direct drafts of air conditioning and open windows toward your budgie.
• Secure all the cage doors with clasps, or even twist ties.
• Provide fresh food and water for them. Water bottles or wet greens could be replaced for water dishes to avoid spills. Treat foods can sometimes coax even a stressed budgie to eat something.
NOTE: If your car has a passenger side airbag, make sure the budgies are in the back seat. The impact of an airbag can crush the cage/carrier and kill your budgie.