Travel Guide 
Travel // While You're Away
While You're Away
Helping Animals While on Holiday
Animals in need never get a vacation. When you’re planning your trip, don’t forget to plan for the animals you may encounter in your travels. Sadly, animal abuse knows no boundaries or borders, so you may witness cruelty or find animals who need your help wherever you go.
In the United States and Canada
Every state and province has laws prohibiting cruel treatment of animals. The definition of cruelty varies slightly from place to place, but in general, an animal must be provided with food, water, and shelter and cannot be mistreated. Trust your instincts—if you see an animal in distress, don’t hesitate to take action. Anyone can file a cruelty-to-animals complaint and ask for a humane officer to come check on an animal. In larger towns and cities, look in the blue pages of the phone book for the number of the animal control department, humane society, or Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In rural areas without an animal protection department, the county sheriff or regional police department enforces the anti-cruelty statutes. To back up your report, it’s smart to have a copy of your state anti-cruelty statutes on hand. Go to www.animal-law.org/statutes/ or your local library to get a copy of your state’s laws.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the federal Animal Welfare Act, which offers protection to some animals used in exhibition, such as circuses, zoos, and traveling shows. The USDA’s authority does not supersede local authorities’ ability to investigate or press charges, although local humane officers can be reluctant to get involved in cases involving exotic animals. Remember, you have the right to insist that local authorities investigate your complaint.
Canada does not have an equivalent federal agency. Regional law enforcement authorities can intervene and help.
Outside the United States and Canada
The laws protecting animals throughout the world vary widely. Some may be fairly stringent, others nonexistent. In less developed or isolated regions, convincing authorities to take action may not always be possible, but there are other important ways that you can help.
If you see an animal being abused, calmly but firmly ask the abusers to stop. Be polite and try to appear nonthreatening. As obvious at it seems, sometimes people simply need to be told that what they are doing is wrong. If you meet with resistance, try to find someone in a position of authority. File a report on what you witnessed. Keep an inexpensive disposable camera in your car—if it is possible to get a photo, it will allow you to back up your eyewitness account. Record as many specific details as possible, such as the date, time, and location of the incident. Try to get other witnesses to back up your complaint. Immediately report it to the closest animal protection organization.
You may want to move on and hope for the best, but please try to stay until the situation is resolved. You may be the animal’s only hope!
Be a ‘Prepared Packer’
When you see stray or injured cats or dogs on the street, please don’t pass them by—they need your help! Be prepared for animal emergencies by keeping a road rescue kit in your car or luggage, including pull-tab cans of cat and dog food, a leash, a bandage for a muzzle (injured animals may try to bite out of fright), a collapsible cardboard cat carrier, and a towel or blanket. If you are unable to coax the animal to you, take down the exact location (including the street and cross street and any nearby landmarks) and a description of the animal, and call animal control as soon as possible.
Wildlife Rescue Warrior Do’s and Don’ts
If you should happen across a wild animal who appears to be injured or orphaned, PETA’s wildlife experts offer these important tips:
- Don’t step in when it’s best to step aside. In the springtime, baby animals are everywhere, but if they aren’t hurt or in immediate danger, they usually don’t need help. Mom’s probably gathering food nearby.
- Do stop to help if you find an injured animal. Place the animal in a covered box or carrier and put the box in a dark, quiet place. Make sure the animal doesn’t get too cold or hot and can breathe inside the box. If the animal cannot be moved, cover him or her with a towel or blanket so that he or she will stay calm until help arrives. Again, make sure that the animal can breathe under the towel.
- Don’t feed the animal or offer water.
- Do contact a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator or agency immediately.
Saving Animals One Vacation at a Time
Though taking a “working vacation” may sound like an oxymoron, it’s possible to take a trip and help animals at the same time! When you arrive at your destination (or even before), contact representatives of the local animal welfare group (look in the phone book for contact information) and request a meeting with them at their shelter, adoption facility, gift shop, or anywhere where they are carrying out their mission of helping animals.
When you meet with them, ask how animal-loving tourists can help. Some possible ideas are: spreading the word to others about the work of the organization, making a small donation to assist the group in carrying out its mission, or volunteering to help care for animals during your vacation. Walking dogs, playing with cats, cleaning cages, or even stocking shelves or doing laundry can really make a difference for animals and the animal-care staff.
Hoping for something a bit more exotic? Innumerable travel agencies are now offering eco-excursions that involve animal-specific projects that aren’t exploitative. You can get involved in projects as diverse as monitoring endangered sea turtle populations, digging water trenches in drought-stricken regions, and cleaning cages at wildlife rehabilitation facilities. You’ll come away with a truly unforgettable experience.
Resources and Points of Interest
Before you leave for your vacation, take a few moments to review our What to Do if You Spot Animal Abuse factsheet for more in-depth details on helping animals who are facing abuse.
Another excellent resource for animal-friendly travel tips is here.
Find out what you need to know before you go and the actions to take when you get back home.
Destination: Florida
Road-Tripping With Rover
Flying With Companion Animals
