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Aug 14, 2009 10:12 pm US/Central
Traveling With Furry Friends Getting Easier
BOSTON (CBS) ―
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Some vacation spots now offer pet spa packages and pet sitters to help your four-legged companion enjoy vacation as much as you do.
CBS 2
Not long ago, when a family packed up for a vacation, the dog was shipped to a kennel or to a neighbor. These days, it's easier than ever to bring your pet with you, CBS station WBZ-TV reported.
Barbara Owensly said her dogs are part of the family and she rarely travels without them.
"We've taken them to places like Asheville, and Key West, Fla.," she explained.
Susan Smith of
PetTravel.com said many resorts are making it easier for people like Barbara.
"We see people not only being pet-friendly, but they're putting together packages with pet spas, or pet sitters," she said.
Smith said bringing your dog on vacation can't be a last-minute decision. You have to plan in advance.
If your trip includes a flight, check with your carrier for its rules on how it handles animals and what kind of carrying crate you'll need.
"It can't have wheels. It's got to have a spring-locked door. It also has to have ventilation on all four sides," Smith said.
This summer,
Pet Airways is a new option for pet owners. The carrier provides special accommodations for animals, almost like a kennel in the sky. That may be the only option for some dog owners traveling to warm places where pets aren't allowed to fly as cargo.
"The airlines have adopted what's known as a summer heat embargo," Smith said. "What that means is if the temperature on the tarmac is over 84 degrees, there is no carrier that will put a pet in cargo. It's simply too risky."
If you are headed overseas, do your homework. European countries require specific vaccinations and a microchip.
You'll also need a veterinarian to sign documents included in what's known as a pet passport. Within 10 days of your trip, the vet will have to certify your pet is free of ticks, parasites and any communicable disease.
It may not be easy to just get up and go, but for pet owners like Barbara, it's well worth the extra effort.
"If we leave them home, often we miss them," she said.
Keep in mind that many hotels allow pets, but there are often fees and limits on the size of a dog, and some hotels won't let you leave your pet alone in the room.
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