Even if most people take pet vacations with their pets, the numbers still tend to surprise pet owners. One of the most recent surveys found as many as 78 percent of all pet owners travel with their pets, proving just how many travelers take pet records on the road.
Sometimes it’s a matter of cost, given pet boarding and pet sitters can be expensive. But more than half the time, dog and cat owners just love their pets, with as many as 60 percent preferring to travel with pets over friends and family!
The good news is that more and more hospitality businesses are ready to address accommodation requests. According to the American Kennel Association, about 75 percent of luxury, mid-scale, and economy hotels allow pets. Airbnbs needs to catch up in allowing pets that aren’t service animals, but this is expected to change as pet policies become standardized.
“Airbnb owners are starting to change their attitudes toward pets,” says Kristi Pritchett, founder of AllAboutSpot.com “Part of the confusion some pet owners face on private rentals is twofold. There is no way to filter the search function to look for pet-friendly rentals and service animals, rightly, are not considered pets so renters are not asked to list service animals as pets.”
Still, it’s always a good idea to review any accommodation rules. Some hotels and rentals have specific pet rules that may apply to service animals or emotional support animals (except in California and New York where no additional fees are allowed). Pritchett said the point of asking for clarification is simply to avoid any uncomfortable situations if the property or rental has been granted an exemption.
“There is plenty to learn about taking pets on vacation before you travel, but the good news is that it is getting even easier,” said Pritchett. “It also makes online pet records invaluable because you can always access records while on the road.”
When Pritchett first founded AllAboutSpot.com, it was based on the idea that pet records were most helpful for pet owners who wanted to share immediately accessible and updated pet records with a dog sitter or boarding service. But as times change, pet records have become more versatile, even on the road.
“Vaccination records tend to top the things you need to take on vacation when traveling with your pets,” said Pritchett. “Online pet records make that possible without any effort at all.”
Naturally, pet owners should also pack common sense items like leashes, bowls, treats, toys, blankets, crates, medications, pet first aid kits, poop bags, and cleaning products. However, having all their information and a digital photo (in case they get lost) are the most commonly neglected items.
When traveling in the United States, it’s also good to secure a domestic Health Certificate. This is a legal document proving that a veterinarian examined your pet within 10 days of travel. It includes the status of your pet’s vaccinations.
“Health Certificates are generally required for airline travel, but there are a few states that might ask for such information,” said Pritchett. “Hawaii tends to be stricter than other destinations.”
Pritchett advises that travelers with pets check with the USDA Animals and Plant Health Inspection Service ahead of their travel plans. The USDA domestic travel site maintains pet travel information for every state. Nevada, for example, requires a Health Certificate and current rabies vaccination, but does not require a permit.
The same site also provides information for international travel into the United States and outside of the United States. It’s also a good idea to consider microchipping a pet before travel. Some destinations even require it.
“Traveling with pets is supposed to be a fun experience, so doing additional homework before heading out the door is a good idea,” said Pritchett. “And then, once you have all the documentation you need, upload all of it to AllAboutSpot.com so you can access it in real time, no matter where you are in the world.”
Pritchett said one of her favorite stories of the year was a Newsweek article about a woman who made special travel accommodations to take her three Great Danes and one husky on vacation. Called The Hull Pack, she shared the entire trip on Instagram and received more than 650,000 views and 40,000 likes.
For travelers with pets, Pritchett also recommends checking out the top dog-friendly destinations in the United States, ranked by Daily Paws. The article breaks out several geographical locations and then details some of the top spots. As a bonus, the article also includes the top international destinations too. Venice, Italy tops the list. Who knew?
“Traveling with pets is so much fun,” Pritchett said. “Just upload your records and go!”
