Pets on the Go
By Teresa Ambord
If you count your pets as essential family members and are loathe to travel without them, you are in good company. Some 15 million Americans travel with their pets every year. And smart hotels and other lodging providers are beginning to capitalize on that trend.
Understandably, most accommodations require a pet deposit or an additional charge for pet stays. But then, reasonable pet owners recognize the need for this and willingly pay a bit extra for the privilege of having Snowball and Saucy along for the trip.
While you are making your plans, check these Web sites for hotels that love your pets like you do:
Click here to see a list of chain hotels and motels that allow pets.
Through Takeyourpet.com you may be able to get discounts of 10-30% on lodging that loves pets. The Web site also highlights particular vacation spots that cater to pet owners. Many such places not only allow pets, but go out of their way to make your pets comfortable. Even event and entertainment sites that draw a lot of travelers are getting in on the pet craze in America. For example, Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, California, provides a pet care facility, especially for those days that are too warm to leave pets in vehicles.
Here are some tips for a successful pet-included trip:
- Most important! Take seriously the warning about leaving pets in warm cars. Remember, they are wearing fur coats that they cannot escape. What may seem merely warm to you can be deadly to a pet. It's not enough to open the windows a bit and park the car in the shade. If it's slightly warm outside, it's too warm for your pets. If you love them, don't lock them in a warm car.
- Train and bus travel may be free for your pets, depending on their size. But be smart, minimize problems by not traveling during the busiest times, which may upset your pets and other passengers too.
- Make sure your pet is fully identified at all times. Wherever you are staying, attach the address and phone number to the back of the pet's nametag. If you're far from home, it's not good enough to have your pet wear a nametag with only your home address on it.
- Have a current photo of the pet with you, in case you get separated and need to ask around or put up posters. Take time to memorize any identifying marks, like a diamond shaped spot on the forehead.
- Remember to take any medications the pet requires. And for extended trips, take along their monthly heartworm pills and flea treatments.
- Take their food from home and a jug of water. Travel alone may cause upset stomachs or irregularity, so this is no time to introduce new foods. Giving them the water their tummies are used to can prevent shocking their systems.
- Take along something to remove pet hair, like a lint brush. Not only is it polite to take care of this yourself, but a refundable deposit may depend on it.
- Include a favorite toy or two so the pet can feel somewhat normal.
- If possible, take their favorite bedding. Or if that's too big, try putting something like a pillowcase in their beds at home for a few days before their trip, so the smaller item picks up familiar smells.
- Don't forget cleaning supplies in case of accidents, especially plastic bags or gloves for removing their waste. Plastic gloves are perfect for clean-up and they sell for about a dollar a box.
- Resist the temptation to feed the pet for a few hours before leaving. If traveling is going to upset their stomachs, the last thing you want is for them to have a bellyful of anything.
- Take along a pet first aid kit. You can buy one at most humane societies or pet stores, or make one yourself.
If you are going to fly with your pet, you'll need special instructions. Click here to see what Petswelcome.com recommends: