Traveling With Pets
When thinking about travel, we often want to include our whole family — even our pets. Cats and dogs can travel easily if you are well prepared. You can even take other types of pets too. Yet, sometimes the task seems daunting — how does one go about traveling with pets on a family vacation?
Considerations For Traveling With Pets
* Will Your Pet Be Welcome?
When flying to Hawaii or destinations outside the US, often a pet needs to be held to guarantee that the pet does not have rabies or infectious diseases. For Hawaii, the minimum quarantine is 5 days and can last up to 120 days. So before embarking on a trip, be certain to make sure you can actually have your pet be able to stay there. As laws change, verify current restrictions before traveling anywhere with your pet.
* Flying With Pets
Most airlines will take at least some pets. However, the rules are different for each airline. In general, it costs extra to bring your pet. One consistent theme is that smaller cats and dogs are easier. Some require that they are brought on as air cargo, others will let smaller animals be stowed under your seat. Be sure you have a Airline Certified Pet Carrier that fits your pet according to the airline’s requirements. If you have a large pet (like a large dog over 100 pounds), you may need to drive if you want your dog to be with you.
* Staying In A Hotel With Your Pet
More and more hotels are allowing their guests bring along their pet. To find such a place go to: Hotels.com and click on the search for Amenity and Landmark. Choose the pets allowed option. Doing this search is an easy way to compare hotels that accept pets.
* Are There Things To Do With Your Pet?
Now that you have arrived at your destination, you will want to make sure you can actually do something with your pet. Just because you can fly and sleep at your desired destination, doesn’t mean that you can do everything you want to do with your pet.
Restaurants and parks are getting to be more pet friendly. Disneyland allows you to keep your non-poisonous pet at their daytime pet care kennel but not in the park itself. Other places are getting more friendly towards pets, but be certain to check before you head off.
* Is it Within Your Budget?
Just because there are amenities to accommodate your pet, doesn’t mean it won’t cost extra. Make sure to calculate the differences in price to make certain that it is worth the extra effort you will be expending.
Once you decide your pet is going with you, all it takes is some planning — and you are on your way to a fabulous trip.
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