Tips for Summer Pet Travel

Memorial day weekend is almost here, and summer is in the air. More people than ever are reportedly planning pet friendly vacations, and that’s exciting news for us! Pet owners are a dedicated bunch, and though it may take a little more preparation to make the arrangements, bringing your furry companion along for the fun is definitely worth the effort. Here are a few tips to get your trip off on the right paw …

Buckle ‘em up! Ty and Buster are part of our family. In fact, we probably love them more than some of our relatives (you know what I’m talking about). 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.

Obey Leash Laws Just as we deserve to include our pets in our lives, there are people (and other pets) who prefer not to have our animals foisted upon them. Whether your dog has the perfect recall is irrelevant, if the sign says leash him – do it. It shows respect for everyone else. Not to mention, being approached by an off-leash dog can cause leashed dogs to feel vulnerable and that can result in a fight.

Patronize Pet Friendly Businesses Pet friendly establishments go out on a limb to open their doors to our pets, and it’s important to repay that kindness by spending our dollars with them. Whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, or other business, choose the pet friendly option – when your pet is with you, and even when he’s not.

Under-Estimate What You Can Accomplish When you travel with a pet, everything seems to take more time than when you’re traveling alone. And that’s a good thing! It helps you remember to slow down and “sniff the roses.” But, when figuring the distance you can travel or the activities you can knock out in a day, be conservative in your estimates. My general rule is to make the plan … and then divide by two. If you accomplish more than that, it’s a bonus.

Scoop the Poop We’ve all experienced it, and nothing spoils a day faster than stepping in poo. Abandoning your pet’s waste reflects poorly on all pet owners and is the primary reason that parks and other locations chose not to allow dogs. Always carry plastic bags with you and find an appropriate receptacle to dispose of it.

Sniff Out Fun GoPetFriendly.com has listings for all kinds of pet friendly activities … from dog parks and beaches to wineries, restaurants, and even some golf courses! You can also fetch the locals’ perspective by reaching out on Twitter or other social media site. With a little digging, there’ll be no shortage of entertaining options for all to enjoy.

Be Prepared Having your pet’s veterinary records with you could be critical in the event of an emergency. Rather than lugging around a large file, pack a paper copy of their current vaccination records and scan the rest of the information to an easy-to-pack USB drive.

Flexibility Saves the Day When you’re traveling, unexpected things will happen. Weather is often the culprit, but other obstacles pop up as well. On a recent trip to Boston, we ran into crowds of people enjoying a festival. Walking the dogs amid the throngs was stressful for us all, and we decided it was better to scrap our plan and see a different part of the city. Anticipating speed bumps allows you to maneuver around them with ease – either by rearranging your schedule or recognizing that some activities might have to wait for the next day or your next visit.

Planning a pet friendly trip of your own? We’ll make it easy:
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