May Is the Perfect Time to Prepare for Summer Travel
By May, many families in Lubbock and across West Texas are starting to look ahead to summer plans. Memorial Day weekend often marks the unofficial beginning of travel season, whether that means road trips, flights, lake weekends, family visits, or boarding arrangements for pets who will be staying close to home. While packing bags and making reservations are usually top of mind, your pet’s health checklist deserves just as much attention.
A little preparation now can prevent stressful surprises later. Expired vaccines, outdated microchip information, low medication supplies, or missed preventive care can create last-minute complications, especially if your pet will be boarding, traveling across state lines, or staying with a sitter. At Hub City Veterinary Clinic, we encourage pet families to use May as a practical “summer readiness” month, making sure pets are protected, identified, and stocked with everything they need before schedules get busy.
Check Vaccines Before Boarding, Grooming, or Travel
Vaccines are one of the most important items to review before summer plans begin. Many boarding facilities, groomers, doggy daycares, and training programs require pets to be current on specific vaccines before they can participate. If your pet’s vaccines are overdue or if records are missing, it may delay boarding reservations or create a scramble right before your trip.
For dogs, commonly required vaccines may include rabies, distemper/parvo, and Bordetella. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, your veterinarian may also discuss vaccines such as leptospirosis, canine influenza, or others based on exposure risk. For cats, core vaccines typically include rabies and feline viral combination vaccines, with additional recommendations depending on whether your cat goes outdoors or has contact with other cats.
The timing matters, too. Some vaccines need to be given in advance to provide appropriate protection, and certain boarding facilities may require vaccines to be administered a specific number of days before arrival. Waiting until the day before a trip can create unnecessary stress. A May wellness visit gives your veterinary team time to review records, update anything due, and provide documentation if needed.
Make Sure Microchips and ID Tags Are Updated
Summer travel creates more opportunities for pets to become lost. Doors open more often, guests come and go, pets may stay in unfamiliar places, and nervous animals can slip away during travel stops or loud gatherings. Even well-trained pets can panic in a new environment, which is why updated identification is so important.
A microchip is one of the best backup tools for helping lost pets get home. It provides a permanent ID number that shelters and veterinary clinics can scan. But a microchip is only as useful as the information attached to it. If your phone number, email address, or home address has changed, the registry needs to be updated before travel begins.
Before Memorial Day weekend, take a few minutes to check:
- Your pet’s collar fits properly and has a readable ID tag
- Your phone number on the tag is current
- Your pet’s microchip is registered with updated contact information
- A trusted backup contact is listed, especially if you’ll be out of town
If you’re not sure whether your pet has a microchip or whether it still scans properly, Hub City Veterinary Clinic can check it quickly during an appointment. This simple step can offer major peace of mind before summer travel ramps up.
Refill Medications and Preventives Before You’re Packing
One of the most common travel-prep mistakes is realizing too late that a pet is almost out of medication. This can be especially stressful if your pet takes daily medicine for allergies, arthritis, seizures, thyroid disease, heart conditions, anxiety, or another chronic issue. Some prescriptions require an up-to-date exam or lab work before they can be refilled safely, so it’s best not to wait until the final days before leaving town.
Preventive care matters just as much. In West Texas, warm weather can increase exposure to fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and intestinal parasites. If your pet is traveling, boarding, or spending more time outdoors, consistent parasite prevention becomes even more important. Heartworm prevention, flea and tick products, and any recommended deworming or testing should be reviewed before your schedule gets hectic.
If your pet experiences travel anxiety or motion sickness, May is also a good time to talk with your veterinarian about safe options. Please avoid giving over-the-counter medications without veterinary guidance. Some human medications are unsafe for pets, and the correct approach depends on your pet’s health history, size, and symptoms.
Prepare for Boarding, Sitters, and Road Trips
Whether your pet is joining the trip or staying behind, clear preparation helps everyone feel more comfortable. If your pet will be boarding, confirm requirements early. Facilities may need proof of vaccines, parasite prevention, and sometimes a recent negative fecal test. Popular boarding times around Memorial Day and summer holidays can fill quickly, so making arrangements early is always wise.
If a pet sitter or family member will be caring for your pet, leave written instructions. Include feeding amounts, medication schedules, your veterinarian’s contact information, emergency instructions, and any behavior notes that may help. It’s also helpful to leave medication in its original labeled containers so there’s no confusion.
For pets traveling by car, think through comfort and safety. Use a secure crate, carrier, or harness. Pack food, water, bowls, medications, waste bags, vaccine records, and a familiar blanket or toy. For cats, bring a secure carrier and avoid opening it in unsecured areas. For dogs, plan safe leash breaks and never leave them alone in a parked vehicle. Even in May, temperatures inside a car can rise quickly and become dangerous.
Start Summer With Confidence and Peace of Mind
Summer should be fun, not stressful. By taking care of vaccines, microchips, medication refills, and preventive care before travel begins, you can avoid last-minute problems and help your pet stay safe wherever the season takes you. A little planning in May can make Memorial Day weekend and the busy months ahead much smoother for your whole family. If you’re preparing for travel, boarding, or a change in your pet’s routine, the team at Hub City Veterinary Clinic is here to help. We proudly care for pets throughout Lubbock and West Texas, and we can review vaccine records, scan microchips, refill medications, and make sure your pet’s preventive care is on track. Call us today to schedule a pre-travel wellness visit, and let’s help your pet head into summer healthy, protected, and ready for the season ahead.
