| Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense | | | | able to show others exactly what your pet looks like |
| -- after all, pets are family members too! In the | | | | instead of just relying on a verbal description. |
| United States alone, over 60 million households have | | | | 6 - Check with your vet for any recommended |
| one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those | | | | vaccinations appropriate for your trip -- exposure to |
| households travel with their pet, and the majority | | | | ticks while hiking, exposure to other dogs while being |
| stay in pet friendly lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly | | | | boarded or heartworm prevention if your dog will be |
| hotels, condos and vacation home rentals do exist. If | | | | exposed to mosquitoes are examples of important |
| you will be planning pet friendly vacations, here are | | | | preventative measures to take before your trip. If |
| some tips for safe and trouble-free travel. | | | | your pet is a dog, have an up-to-date rabies tag for |
| 1 - When you make your reservation, double-check | | | | your dog's collar. If you decide to day board your |
| that pets are allowed. An important advantage of | | | | dog while taking pet friendly vacations, you may be |
| reserving online is that you can see in writing | | | | required to show paperwork proof of the rabies |
| whether or not pets are permitted and any | | | | vaccination. |
| restrictions. Online, you can print out your reservation | | | | 7 - Once you arrive at the pet friendly lodging, inform |
| receipt that includes the "pets allowed" information. | | | | the check-in person that you have your pet. You can |
| Verbal reservations leave more room for | | | | inquire if there are any restricted areas where your |
| misunderstanding and miscommunication. If reserving | | | | pet should not be taken. Pet friendly lodging staff |
| by telephone, ask the reservation person to mail you | | | | should be very accustomed to answering these kinds |
| a confirmation receipt that includes the "pets allowed" | | | | of questions and will appreciate your awareness. |
| information. | | | | 8 - In your hotel room, condo, cabin rental or |
| 2 - Is your pet an experienced traveler? If not, you | | | | vacation home rental -- never let your pet use the |
| should begin getting your pet more accustomed to | | | | furniture or beds to sit, lay or sleep on unless you've |
| traveling so that pet friendly vacations won't be | | | | covered the furniture or bed with your own cover. |
| something new. Begin by making your car a fun place | | | | Place your pet's food and water containers on a mat |
| for your pet. Get in the car with them, play with | | | | or newspaper in the bathroom, where cleanup will be |
| them, give them a treat -- have them enjoy being | | | | easier. When staying in pet friendly accommodations, |
| there with you. Then take a short drive with them. | | | | you may even choose to feed your pet outdoors. |
| Gradually increase the length of time and distance | | | | 9 - If you'll be leaving your pet alone in the room or |
| that you drive with them. Before making a long trip | | | | vacation rental, make sure the front desk or rental |
| with your pet, the idea is to have them comfortable | | | | agent knows. Be sure that you leave your pet |
| with being in the car for extended periods of time. | | | | secured in their travel container or crate if |
| 3 - Remember that securing your pet while traveling | | | | housekeeping staff will be entering the room at any |
| in the car is crucial for their safety and yours. | | | | time to clean. You certainly don't want a |
| Consider purchasing a dog safety harness for your | | | | housekeeper to enter and be surprised or even |
| pet to use while traveling in the car. If you have a | | | | attacked by your pet! A pet may also run out of the |
| station wagon or SUV, you can purchase a vehicle | | | | room when housekeeping enters if left unsecured. |
| barrier that keeps your pet confined to the rear area. | | | | 10 - Be very careful while taking pet friendly |
| They are usually sold at pet stores or are available | | | | vacations in warm or hot weather. Leaving your pet |
| online. | | | | in the car can be deadly. Even when the outside |
| 4 - Pet friendly vacations planning should include | | | | temperature is only in the 70's or 80's, the interior of |
| taking steps to ensure your pet can be found if it | | | | a vehicle can reach 100 degrees and higher, especially |
| accidentally becomes lost while on vacation. Be sure | | | | when parked in the sun. It doesn't take long at these |
| that your pet has an identification tag and wears it | | | | temperatures to cause serious or even fatal harm to |
| while on the trip. The tag should have your pet's | | | | your pet. |
| name, your name and phone number. If possible, use | | | | Traveling with pets and staying in pet friendly lodging |
| your cell phone number, a home number and the | | | | can be lots of fun -- after all, your pet is part of your |
| number of where you will be staying. | | | | family too. Just using common sense and planning |
| 5 - Carry a photograph of your pet with you on your | | | | ahead makes for enjoyable and surprise-free pet |
| trip. If your pet should ever become lost, you'll be | | | | friendly vacations. |