Pet Travel New Year’s Resolutions and Contest
Happy New Year! This is a fantastic time of year, when the possibilities for 2012 are endless and our dreams for the next twelve months are limited only by our imagination.
Naturally, we hope your vision includes traveling with your pet!
And, whether you’re planning to play tourist in your own backyard or pack up the car for a road trip, these resolutions will establish you as a responsible and thoughtful member of the pet travel community:
1. Commit to training. Lack of training is the most common cause of bad pet travel experiences. Imagine spending several days with your dog pulling on the leash, jumping on strangers, and trying to eat from your plate at outdoor restaurants and you’ll probably cancel your vacation! But invest a little time in training, and your dog can be on his best behavior in no time. Start today, and remember … teaching your dog to behave well at home will translate into a pleasant trip for both of you.
2. Obey leash laws and signage. Just as we deserve to include our pets in our lives, there are people who prefer not to have our animals foisted upon them. It doesn’t matter if your dog has the perfect recall, if the sign says leash him – do it. It shows that pet owners are considerate and respect the feelings of people (and other pets) who prefer not to be approached by dogs they don’t know.
3. Scoop the poop. We’ve all experienced it, and nothing spoils a walk faster than stepping in poop. Abandoning your pet’s waste reflects poorly on all pet owners and is the primary reason that parks and other locations chose not to be pet friendly. Always carry plastic bags with you and find an appropriate receptacle to dispose of it.
4. Patronize pet friendly businesses. Pet friendly establishments go out on a limb to cater to the needs of pet owners, and it’s important to financially support the businesses that welcome our community. Whether it’s a pet friendly hotel, restaurant, or other business, choose the pet friendly option – both when your pet is with you, and when he’s not.
5. Buckle up. Ty and Buster are part of our family. In fact, we probably love them more than some of our relatives, and that’s why it’s so important to buckle them up! Whether you prefer a seat belt harness or a secured pet carrier, protect yourself and your pet from serious injuries every time you get in the car.
When you travel with your pet, remember that you’re an ambassador for others who travel with theirs. We hope you’ll join us in committing to these pet travel resolutions for 2012.
And to get your first trip of 2012 started off right, we’ve put together a grab bag of pet travel goodies!
Included is a “Found my Animal” tote bag with removable leash contributed by DogJaunt.com, a Cool Pad from The Green Pet Shop, four music cd’s and a book from “Through a Dogs Ear,” a Calming Collar, a box of Smooches treats from The Honest Kitchen, a Pet Care Travel Stix flash drive, an Angry Birds plush toy, a Travels with Ty and Buster wall calendar for inspiration, and some other GoPetFriendly.com swag.
This contest is now closed and the winner is Mel F. from Egan, MN.
Disclosure: Most of the items in the grab bag were purchased by us or given to us for use with Buster and Ty. Most are not in their original packaging and may come with a bit of dog hair attached.
Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy: Pet Friendly Hotels | Pet Friendly Destinations | Pet Friendly Activities
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