Several of us travel nurses have pets that we love and cherish and just cannot do without.  When we take on a travel nursing assignment, it can be a hassle to bring your pet with you. 

I myself have a mangy cat that scratches me at least once a month and does nothing but lay next to the window and makes purring sounds.  Despite it all, I love that old fur ball and I take him with me on every nursing assignment I get.

It’s not always easy to bring your pet along but these helpful tips will help you make traveling arrangements for your furry traveling companion a lot easier.

1. Make sure that your pet has all of his shots up-to-date at all times and that you have a copy of his paperwork from your vet as airlines will require those.
2. Get your pet used to his carrier, so as often as possible, bring him along with you on errands and place him in his carrier.  If you have a big dog that you can’t carry around, do not leave in your car in hot weather!
3. When you look for your travel nursing housing, please make sure that you let your representative know about it.  You may have to pay a pet deposit yourself.
4. If you are traveling by air, it helps to place in your pet carrier an item with your scent in it like an old shirt or even a sock.
5. If your pet is a picky eater, try and bring a few ounces of his regular food in case you are not able to find it right away in your new temporary home.