Pet tip: Plan ahead before a holiday road trip with your pet
The ASPCA suggests practice drives, a secured crate and a packed travel kit before you leave town for Thanksgiving.
TAMPA - If your pet is riding along for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, the ASPCA's travel safety guide recommends getting ready well before you pull out of the driveway. Start with a few short drives and make them longer over time so your pet gets used to the car.
Make sure your pet is microchipped and wears a tag with your contact information, and consider a temporary tag with your cell number and where you'll be staying. On the road, keep your pet in a well-ventilated crate that can't slide around, or in the back seat in a harness attached to a seatbelt.
Pack food, water, a bowl, a leash, waste bags, medications and a familiar toy. If you're crossing state lines, bring your pet's rabies vaccination record and ask your veterinarian whether a health certificate is needed. Never leave your pet alone in a parked car.
Source: ASPCA, Travel Safety Tips, opened Nov. 11, 2026.