Pets have been proven to reduce the level of stress for their owners, so why not have a dog as a companion to travel with you on those long hauls? A trucker must be willing and able to adjust his/her schedule to make sure the traveling pet can be cared for properly. Dogs seem to be the most popular traveling companion, but other animals such as birds, ferrets and snakes have been seen on the road with their trucker buddies.
Careful thought needs to be given to your pet's diet. Feed your animal with a national brand of pet food, and don't be tempted to feed your buddy table scraps, as these could cause digestive problems. Water should be provided to your pet from a clean container, possibly an emptied soda bottle.
There are actually truckers who participate in a non-profit organization called Operation Roger. What a wonderful idea: to help save the lives of numerous misplaced pets and transport them to their new homes. The pet transporters work in conjunction with animal shelters and animal rescue groups to accomplish this task. Arrangements have to be prearranged with the new pet owner so they can pick up their newly acquired pet at a nearby truck-stop or another convenient location. A small donation fee of $20 is required to set up the arrangements for the pet transport.
Not all trucking companies allow you to travel with a pet, so it may take some research to find one that does. There may be certain limitations as to the type of pet and there may be a deposit required. A pet that travels with you can become ill on the road, which could cause unexpected delay and undue expense.
A traveling pet can be a positive addition, but make sure that it will be a workable situation for both yourself and your animal.
