You have booked your
sailing vacation but you do not know what to do with your pet, and
you are probably asking "Can I take my dog aboard charter yacht?"
The answer depends upon your charter agency and you have to check
that in advance but in most cases, the answer is yes.
Documentation, vaccination and
quarantine
When taking your pet with you
aboard a yacht, consider the following tips for sailing with pets.
Different countries apply different rules when it comes to sailing
with pets so be sure to have proper documentation
for your pet in order to enter a country. For that reason, it would
be best to contact the appropriate authorities before the trip.
Make sure your pet is micro-chipped because in
many countries the chip is obligatory. Also make sure to have your
pet vaccinated on time, and check quarantine laws since some
countries require pets to be quarantined.
Practical issues
There are some practical issues
you need to consider before taking your pet aboard charter yacht.
If you are taking your pet sailing for the first
time, it may be scared so you need to reserve a corner for
it to hide in. Also be sure to remove anything that might harm your
pet because it can panic. Do not forget to include all the
important information on your pet's identity tag.
Toilet
Now you are probably wondering
what to do when your dog needs to go to the toilet? Dogs aboard
charter yacht do not have many options. After all, you cannot
expect a dog to hold it up until you find a suitable anchorage. A
good idea would be to get a piece of Astro Turf.
It will give your pet an illusion of grass and it is easy to clean.
You can also get a cat litter box. However, be sure to place these
below deck for stability reasons. Another option, albeit the more
complicated and time consuming option, is to train your dog to do
what it has to do overboard. But beware, there is a potential
danger of your dog falling into the water.
Companionway
stairs
Another thing to consider when
having a dog aboard charter yacht is that companionway
stairs need to be adapted for your dog. Companionway
stairs may be to steep for the dog to climb. An easy solution is to
put a plank onto the stairs.
Sunscreen and sea-sickness
medication
Pets can also get sunburnt so
make sure there is enough shade for them and that
they have enough water. If you can, it would be smart to get a
pet-friendly sunscreen. Also get sea-sickness medication for your
pet - some of the same medications used for humans also work for
animals but you should consult your vet.
So can you take your dog aboard
charter yacht? By all means! Just make sure you have done
everything to make your pet comfortable and safe aboard
charter yacht.
Related
articles:
What Are the Dangers in Having a Pet
Aboard?
What to Take when Sailing with
Pets?