January 2 is National Pet Travel Safety Day and to celebrate, we asked our experts on the ASPCA Relocation team to provide some safety tips for our friends taking the scenic route with their furry companions! After all, who doesn’t love a good road trip? Here’s what the experts had to say.

Do: Prep your pet for a long road trip. Get your pet comfortable by taking them on a series of short drives first, then gradually lengthening the time spent in the car.

Don’t: Forget to update your pet’s vaccinations and travel with the records. Even if a state doesn’t require Rabies vaccinations, all dogs, cats and ferretsshould be vaccinated for their protection. A health certificate is also a requirement for interstate transport. Regardless of where you’re travelling, check with your vet for more information about appropriate vaccinations and protections for your pet.

Do: Identify your pet with a tag attached to the collar or harness, and a permanent form of identification like a microchip. Be sure all identification is up to date and reflects your present contact information. Smart tags and GPS collars can help you locate your pet if they get lost.

Don’t: Assume your pet will never run from you. Unrestrained pets in unfamiliar circumstances can become frightened or startled and may panic and run into traffic or away from you. Proper updated ID is crucial when assisting a lost pet in finding their way home.

Do: Secure your pet in the vehicle. Hard-sided carriers with ventilation holes that are secured to the vehicle are the safest option. You can explore the crash test ratings of your carrier by visiting the Center for Pet Safety website. The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand or sit without touching the top, lie down and turn around. Secure your pet’s crate so it won’t slide or shift in the event of an abrupt stop. Never use a wire or collapsible crate when transporting your pet, they can collapse or break open causing serious injuries or death in the event of an accident.

Don’t: Let your pet ride with their head out the window. Although we would never recommend it, if you decide to forego the crate, do not allow your pet to put their head out the window, and always keep them in the backseat in a harness attached to the seat buckle. Airbags are not designed with pets in mind and serious injury could occur if your pet is secured in the passenger seat during an accident.

Do: Allow your dog some rest breaks. Give them the opportunity to enjoy the trip as well!

Don’t: Allow your pet to run up to unfamiliar dogs. Not all travelling pets are used to meeting new friends. Even if the other dogs are friendly, it’s best to be cautious and avoid circumstances where you may expose your pet to diseases or parasites that may not be common in your community.

Do: Prep a pet-friendly travel kit. Bring food, a bowl, leash, waste bags, grooming supplies, medication, a first-aid kit, your veterinarian’s contact information and any travel documents your pet may need for the duration of both your ride and your time away from home. Also pack a favorite toy, towel or bedding to give your pet a sense of familiarity.

Don’t: Feed your pet in a moving vehicle. This may result in your pet feeling nauseous or vomit. Instead, feed your pet three or four hours ahead of departure and offer an occasional small snack, like a dog biscuit or two, on longer rides.

Do: Pack plenty of water. Always opt for bottled water or water from home on a road trip. Drinking water from an area they aren’t used to could cause an upset stomach.

Don’t: Leave your animal alone for any amount of time in a parked vehicle. The temperature inside a parked car can quickly become dangerous for your pet, even on days that you don’t consider hot. Even in the shade the temperature can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. Cracking the window is not adequate as the car heats at almost the same rate. Dogs with short snouts like Pugs or French Bulldogs will succumb to heat exhaustion even faster than other breeds. Cold weather can create another danger, exposing animals to hypothermia.

Be sure to follow these steps to ensure you and your pet have a fun and safe journey to your next destination!

If you suspect that your pet ingested something potentially toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately