According to BringYourPet.com, a source for pet-friendly travel info, 77 percent of pet owners polled in 2007 traveled with their buddies. The travel industry has taken notice, and increasingly accommodations and even destinations are marketing themselves as pet friendly and luxury properties are building amenity-rich packages around their fur-wearing guests and their fur-bearing friends.
Personally, I think the Baby Boomers are responsible for the trend. They’re the generation that pushed the limits with kids, taking infants and toddlers to fine dining restaurants, on planes, to romantic B&Bs. Well, the nest emptied and they replaced their kids with pets. Now they’re insisting on taking Bowser and Fluffy with them to the same places, and they’re succeeding.
While this trend is great news for pet owners, it’s not welcome by those with allergies. If you’re in the latter category, it’s wise to call properties to learn their policies before booking a hotel room (does it permit pets? designated rooms only? public areas?). Ditto if you’re traveling by air; ask whether a pet is booked on your flight (request a seat far away or rebook).
For pet owners, especially pet-friendly chains include Best Western, Hilton, Four Seasons, Kimpton, Loews and Motel6. Many of these offer special pet amenities (comfy beds, bottled water, treats, bowls, tags) and services (room-service menus, massage, access to pet sitters and dog walkers, even — get this — surfing lessons). Many boutique inns and B&Bs also roll out the red carpet to pet owners, luring them with similar perks. Key questions to ask when seeking pet-friendly accommodations: Is there a weight limit (some only accept purse-sized pooches)? Is there an additional fee and if so, is it per night or for the full stay? Is there a pet package?
Both BringYourPet.com and DogFriendly.com are good resources for finding pet-friendly travel info, including information on airline policies. For detailed information about flying with a pet, visit the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s web page covering transportation of live animals.
Hilary Nangle is freelance travel writer and USA’s Maine expert. She lives, shops and drives the back roads there and has written about the state for decades, including three guidebooks — Moon Coastal Maine, Moon Acadia National Park, and Moon Maine.
Visit her Web site and read her blog for more insights about Maine.
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Are we really opening the “kids don’t belong on planes” argument again?
http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2008/dot145_08/html/dot145_08.html
(scroll down on the page)
If you look at the DOT monthly results, you’ll see a section on pets and unfortunately, the listing of those PETS who died while traveling.
Traveling is stressful enough for humans, leave your pets at home if at all possible.
This poor pet owner is still looking for their beloved dog lost by UNITED: http://www.helpfindjeddah.com/
Remember the Whippet dog from JFK lost by DELTA? I do, I saw the posters in my neighborhood. It was NEVER found and returned.
Leave them HOME