Being a WELCOME Pet Traveler
Summertime is best and most popular time for family automobile travel. Unless your pet is a poor traveler, or your accommodations will not permit it,
there is no reason to leave the family pet at home or in a kennel while you are away.
Traveling with your pet is like being invited to someone's home. If you want to be invited back,
then you need to be a considerate guest.
Occasionally we hear from a hotel or bed and breakfast that will no longer accept pets. In almost every
case it is because they had a bad experience with a traveling pet owner, and now we all have to be punished
for the sins of one.
PET FRIENDLY HOTELS & OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS
MAKING YOUR HOTEL RESERVATION
Confirm with the hotel or motel or bed & breakfast in advance the size and type of pet who is coming
along with you. A hotel may state that they are pet friendly but when you show up with a 100 pound dog
you may find that they limit their guests to small pets. Also, a hotel health certificate may be required by the hotel in order to certify
that your pet does not have ticks or fleas or any diseases communicable to humans. If you need this certificate, you can find it here:
http://www.pettravelstore.com/store-pet-immigration-forms1.html.
Many pet friendly hotels often do not include cats for a couple of reasons. Cats have claws and something
called cat dander which some people are allergic to. Be sure to ask first before you book.
Pet Friendly may also include Ferrets, Birds, even snakes, but be sure to ask first.
CHECKING IN
Remind the desk clerk that you will have a pet in your room, and they need to notify the housekeepers.
LEAVING YOUR PET ALONE IN THE ROOM
Don't leave your pet alone in the room unless you are just going down to the lobby or the pool for a few minutes. Put up the Do Not
Disturb sign on the door when you go out. If your dog is not accustomed to traveling, it is best not to leave them. A barking dog can
be a major disturbance for others.
If you are going out to dinner or to "Disneyland" for the day, then you need to hire a pet sitter. They
will either pet sit your pet in the room or take it back to their house while you are gone.
GOING FOR A WALK
Ask the hotel front desk for a recommendation on a good place to walk your pet. Take along not one but
two litter bags, and use them.
NOT EVERYONE LOVES PETS
When on the street, or in the hotel's common areas make sure your pet is securely leashed, and be aware that
not everyone loves animals. Keep your pet close to you and do not allow them to approach others unless you are sure that both your dog
and the other person (or animal) is comfortable with the meeting.
AIRLINES - TRAINS - BUSSES
Unless you are in a private compartment on a European train, keep your pet in its container at all times. Although the urge is to put
your pet on your lap, there are too many distractions that can interest or alarm a pet and, in a flash, your pet is off your lap and off to
who knows where!
Airlines all charge for pets traveling in the cabin as well as in air cargo. If you need rules traveling with a cat of dog with any airline, CLICK HERE.
European trains require that you buy a ticket for your pet as well. For additional details on traveling in Europe on a train with a pet,
CLICK HERE.
You and your pet can have a great time on your next vacation and still be considerate of your
hotel, and the other people you come in contact with. Let's keep pet friendly hotels that way!
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