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Are We There Yet?
After a week of ugly “technical difficulties” we’re finally back in operation! With the holiday season in full swing, many people are opting to drive rather than fly, and many are taking their pets with them.
I read an interesting article in the KC Star last week discussing people traveling with their pets, so I thought I’d share. According to an Associated Press poll of 1,000 pet owners, nearly 25% of them have taken their pets with them on vacation in the last two years. Of those that included their pet on vacation, 75% found the trip more enjoyable than stressful.
Even though more hotel chains are now accepting pets, the majority of pet owners that took their pets stayed with relatives or with friends.
Dog owners are much more likely than cat owners to include their pets on vacations. Camping trips are popular with pet travelers. Kampgrounds of America (KOA) states that 55-60% of registered guests are traveling with pets. That figure is up from 45% eight years ago.
Most people that have a good experience traveling with their pet plan to do so again. Many pet owners are still reluctant to include their pet in travel plans, with only 22% of all pet owners saying they were extremely or very likely to include their pet in family vacations. Seventy-four percent of cat owners said they were not at all likely to take their pet.
If you do have pets that travel well, either cat or dog, accommodations at hotels and campgrounds have changed a lot in recent years. Many hotel chains have special menus for pets, monogrammed bowls, plush beds and special services such as massage and grooming available.
Bon voyage!
Information from “Taking Pets Along on Vacations Brings Few Regrets”, by Sue Manning, Associated Press, posted 11/29/10 used for this post
Does Your Pet Need a Pit Stop?
When traveling, we occasionally need a pit stop, but what options does your pet have when waiting at the airport for your flight?
With the number of pet owners that travel with their pets on the rise, many airports are adding pet relief areas or lounges to give pets the opportunity for bathroom breaks and a little exercise. The pet areas were originally developed to assist travelers with service dogs, convenient relief areas weren’t required until the department published changes last year to the Air Carrier Access Act, which spells out travel rights for people who have physical disabilities.
These pet areas are often outside but within walking distance of the terminal. A few airports such as Dulles International in Washington DC have indoor pet areas within its security zone, in addition to three relief areas outside. Engineers designed them after studying other dog parks. They contain ventilation and wall-mounted water-distribution systems for cleaning.
If you’re planning to take your pet with you on a flight, you can check petfriendlytravel.com to see if your destination or layover point has a pet relief area, and where it’s located in relation to the airport terminal.
Bon voyage!
Some information for this post from USAToday.com
Fido, Your Agent is Calling
According to recent data from The Humane Society, approximately 70% of American homes now have a pet in residence. Pet transportation services have sprung up to address needs of pet owners that relocate or travel for extended periods to distant locations.
To help pet owners navigate the pet transportation maze, pet travel agents can assist with arranging all aspects of the pet’s travel including boarding, ground/air transport, required health documentation and vet treatments that may be needed prior to travel. Although pet travel agents have been around for 30 years, the service is now becoming more popular due to the increase in pet ownership.
Costs for pet travel service can vary depending on the agency, size and number of pets, and destination. In some cases the agent may be able to get better rates through contracts with the airlines and can pass the savings along to their customers.
If you are looking for a pet travel agent or pet relocation company, check to see if they are a member of the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International (IPATA). There are many companies claiming to offer this pet service, but members of IPATA adhere to a strict code of ethics.
Do a comparison of companies and choose the one that works the best for you, that way the travel experience will be a positive one for you and your pet.
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