How to Find Pet-Friendly Vacation Destinations

When you're on the road, leaving your pets in a kennel or depending on friends and neighbors to take care of them are not your only options. Many vacation spots - from campgrounds to ritzy hotels - offer special accommodations for travelers with pets.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog Leashes
• Cat Leashes
• Pet Carriers
• Pet Food

1. Ask fellow pet owners, such as friends and co-workers, where they've traveled with their pets.

2. Look online for pet travel guides, which provide listings of pet-friendly lodgings across the country (and in some cases the world).

3. Search travel sections of bookstores for local or regional travel guides targeted at pet owners. Also, check with your auto club; AAA's accommodations books indicate whether pets are welcome at hotels.

4. Call several hotels and resorts in the area you'll be visiting and find out which ones welcome pets. Find out which places offer special pet services, such as dog walking areas and pet-sitting.

5. Call restaurants, fairgrounds and other places of interest in the area to find out where you'll be able to take your pet once you've reached your vacation spot.

6. Decide on a specific destination based on the availability of pet-friendly facilities.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you fully understand a location's pet policies before making reservations. For example, some hotels only allow pets during certain times of year, or only allow pets of a certain size.
• Carry plenty of water and pet food for your pet during long car trips or hikes.
• If your pet has health problems, make sure there are qualified veterinarians in the area you'll be visiting.
• Observe proper etiquette while vacationing with pets. For example, always keep your dogs on leashes in public and avoid leaving a dog alone in a hotel room.

[WendyJackson]

on 10/14/2007 If you want to take your dog on a beach vacation, Cape San Blas, FL was ranked the best pet friendly beach in the USA in 2006. There aren't any highrise condos on Cape San Blas so the beaches are always uncrowded making it great for the dogs! The sand and water are gorgeous!

[EvelynJay]

on 6/10/2007 Always remember to bring fresh water with you on your trip. We travelled from Woodbridge to Elliot Lake last year. On stopping at French River, just before the bridge, my husband stopped for a pit stop, then noticed that the cat was hot. He said too bad we didn't bring a water jug I'd go get Spook some water from the river. I said, I brought water for Spook. You never know what is in water from rivers. Spook had his own in the icebox and was refreshed in no time. My hubby would not have thought of such a thing as bringing his own water.

on 8/8/2006 Search VRBO or Home Away networks for pet friendly homes on the Gulf of Mexico at Dauphin Island, USA (French).
The rules are a leash or voice control of your pet.

on 3/14/2006 If you are looking for a great place to take your dog on vacation, Cape San Blas, Florida is a dog friendly beach! Your dogs can run, play, chase crabs and do anything you do on the beach!

on 11/22/2005 Visit petswelcome.com - they provide a lot of handy tips for traveling with a pet. They also have a pet-friendly hotel list.