Pet Friendly Hotels - Pet Friendly Holidays - Dog Friendly Accommodation - Pets Welcome - Dog Friendly Hotels
Watching your cat dozing in the sunshine or your dog enjoying pleasant walks, it’s not surprising that holidays are probably not a priority for our pets. However, for us, their owners - exhausted after working too hard - getting away from it all figures pretty highly on our “to do list.”
But whether you decide to leave your furry friends in their own “hotel” as you jet off, or take them with you (and let’s face it – it does save those awful goodbyes,) then PDSA, the UK’s leading veterinary charity, has some top tips on making sure everyone has a fabulous holiday.
Pets Away!
We’re talking just dogs and cats here; small furies such as hamster, guinea pigs
and rabbits should be left in the care of a responsible adult. Cats that are
used to their travelling baskets can go on holiday if the journey isn’t too
long. Please don’t risk it if they do not know their destination – they can
become disorientated and wander off. However, if you have a holiday home that
they are used to, or even a relative’s or close friend’s house they know well,
then your felines may enjoy a trip away.
Seasoned traveller and PDSA nurse, Kristy Nixon says: “I used to regularly
travel from Hull to Surrey with my three cats. They loved having a change of
scene. I would regularly stop on the journey to give them water – in fact I’d
worry when I needed a break in case they weren’t happy alone in the car so I
used to dash in and out of the service station. I’d recommend traveling in the
evening when it is quieter and cooler. I also used to chat to my cats, but
because you could not see their baskets in the car, I would get weird looks from
people thinking I was talking to myself, so quiet roads are a definite
advantage!”
Dogs on the other hand are a breed apart. Dog owners who write into PDSA’s
magazine Companions often report the joys of holidaying with their canine
companion, from recalling the fun of watching them see sand or the sea for the
first time, to helping keep the kids entertained. If you are travelling by
public transport in the UK, a call to the relevant company will tell you if you
need to make special provisions – however good behaviour is generally the only
requirement – theirs and yours!
Preparation is key when travelling abroad with a pet; leave at least six months
to get your pet passport organised, and of course double check your pet is
allowed into your destination country. Your first port of call should be the vet
so your pet can be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
A month after that a blood sample should be taken and
once this has been okayed by an approved veterinary lab, then your pet will be
issued with the passport. To get back into the UK, your pet will have to be
checked by a local vet before you travel home.
Ferry companies either ask that the dog stays in the car for the duration of the
crossing or is put in on-board kennels. You should get permission to return to
the car deck to check your pet if the crossing is longer than two hours.
When going by plane, check with the airline exactly what needs to be done. You
may be required to travel on a specific flight or need to provide or hire a
specific container otherwise they may refuse travel. Before any long journey, it
is worth taking the dog for a walk to burn off excess energy and ask your vet
about preventative measures if your pet has a tendency to be travelsick.
Once on holiday your pet may take time to adapt to new food and a different
climate. Never leave your dog in a car outside even in the shade with a window
open, as cars can reach oven-like temperatures in seconds. Make sure that your
dog is always safely strapped in with a car harness. It is also a good idea to
take out insurance cover for your dog if you haven’t already got a policy.
Auf Wiedersehen Pet!
Of course you may decide that your furry friends should check into their own
hotel. Their choice of accommodation should always be checked out by you first.
The good kennels and catteries only accept fully vaccinated and healthy pets, so
ask about their admissions policy. The establishment should have a licence from
the local authority, which you can ask to see or it may be on display.
Friendly, helpful staff is always a good sign too.
Everything should be clean and tidy; dogs should have a run or even better get
taken out for a walk. The cats litter trays should look as if they are emptied
on a regular basis.
All units should be securely divided from the neighbouring occupant and there
should be distinct areas for sleeping, eating, exercising and in the cat’s case,
for the litter tray. To make the ‘au revoir’ a little easier, it’s an idea to
pack some of your pet’s favourite food, bedding and toys so it will feel more at
home while you’re away.
PDSA Pet holiday checklist.
! Check catteries and kennels for yourself; make sure they are clean and well
run, and that the staff are friendly and helpful.
! Pack some of your pet’s favourite toys to help them settle in to their holiday
home.
! For a guide to pet-friendly holidays in the UK, try the Internet or your local
bookshop
! Always carry a supply of water for your dog or cat on long car journeys and
always schedule in a number of stops for dogs to exercise.
! Check with coach, train and ferry companies on any regulations they have for
pets in transit.
! To apply for a pet passport, confirm with DEFRA or your vet that the PETS
scheme includes the country you are planning on travelling to and start the
application process at least six months before you are due to leave.
l Take out insurance cover for your dog.
! Make sure both the two and four legged family members have a fabulous time.
Most Dog Friendly Beaches in USA
The non-stop obedience and unconditional love we’ve come to expect from our full
time companions can be stressful. And although our companions never complain,
they crave the sound of crashing waves, a good run or stroll in the sunset,
tossing a Frisbee or football, the feel of sand beneath their paws, and playing
chase with the waves as much as we do.
But, dog-friendly beaches seem to be tougher and tougher to find, primarily due
to patrons ignoring leash laws and a few other common courtesies (such as
scooping up poop, disregard of which can put a damper on a child’s sand castle
or a runner’s high).
‘Dog Beaches’ to the rescue. These ideal escapes, where adults, children and
dogs all play together, hold a special charm, and often special memories, for
all of us.
Informal but extensive research by www.PetVR.com and Americas Best Top & 10 (www.americasbestonline.net)
has uncovered ten dog-friendly treasure spots where you and your favorite furry
pal can cut loose, as long as common rules of etiquette are followed:
#1) Cape San Blas, Florida
Just 35 miles south of Panama City, but feeling as if it is worlds away, Cape
San Blas beaches are peaceful, not overdeveloped; in fact, you can sometimes
walk a mile or two in the off season without seeing another dog…or person. The
state park at the end of the cape was recently named Best Beach In America by
Dr. Beach (a real person, not a doggie…but most doggies would agree).
#2) Dog Beach, California
Doggie nirvana. Your buddy will have tons of company at this popular spot near
San Diego. In fact, people may be outnumbered.
#3) St. George Island, Florida
No wider than a mile at its widest point, and located near renowned historic
towns in the Florida Gulf, there is plenty here for man and man’s best friend.
#4) Carmel City Beach, California
Only a short walk from the village of Carmel, the Carmel Beach is a beautiful
and popular escape, with hotels and restaurants in walking distance. Other pet
friendly beaches are close by, too.
#5) Dog Island, Florida
It takes a bit of effort to reach, but your pooch will consider it worth the
effort, as long as he/she doesn’t get seasick. Accessible only by boat, ferry,
or airplane, Dog Island is 50 miles east of Panama City in the Florida
Panhandle.
#6) Hunting Island, South Carolina
Doggie and people heaven on earth. At low tide, the beach on Hunting can
literally appear to be a mile wide, with tidal pools and remote stretches rarely
found today. This State Park is located near the golf resort island of Fripp,
and near Beaufort, SC.
#7) Grayton Beach State Recreation Area, Florida
This lovely 400-acre oceanfront park, also recognized among the best beaches in
American by Dr. Beach, is located between Destin and Seaside, FL.
#8) Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon
If your pooch isn’t fond of windsurfing, no matter. This windsurfers’ paradise
will suit them just fine. Located just outside of Oregon State Park boundaries,
south of Gold Beach.
#9) Jekyll Island, Georgia
This island destination is loved by beach fanatics from all over the country;
the fact that it welcomes dogs just adds to its appeal. On the Georgia coast.
#10) Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, North Carolina
Just outside of Wilmington, NC, this beach allows dogs in all areas except
swimming areas with lifeguards.
Whether you like to just take a dip, or take a dip and shake violently
afterward, visit (www.PetVR.com) for more details on each site, and additional
helpful links. And, to ensure that places for our favorite ‘companions’ to
escape increase, rather than diminish, follow the expected rules of etiquette
also listed on the site.
Discover Britain - The Pet Friendly UK Holiday Right Under Your Nose
"A UK holiday can be perfect for the WHOLE family"
Year after year when the family holiday comes around, certain members of the
family don’t actually get the chance to enjoy it.
You know, it really is a dog’s life when you see the rest of your ‘pack’ getting
excited, buying new clothes, planning excursions, talking to friends about what
a great time they are going to have on holiday when you know full well that
you’ll be going to the equivalent of ‘Pet Boarding School’.
There’ll be know ice cream on the beaches where you’re going, just the daily
routine of slopping out, moaning about the service, the lack of a couch to lay
on and no television to keep you occupied.
O.K. boarding kennels and catteries are not that bad and in fact lots and lots
of pets actually enjoy staying at them but think seriously about the idea of a
‘Complete’ family holiday. Consider the enjoyment that you and your family will
have by taking the pets away with you.
Consider the enjoyment your pets will have by being with you on holiday. A well
planned pet friendly holiday will ensure you are not restricted in what you can
and can’t do on your trip, moreover it will enable you to include the family
pets in all or most of your activities which will bring double the enjoyment to
the holiday.
When travelling in either England, Scotland, Ireland, The Isle Of Man or Jersey
there are no legal quarantine requirements for pets. This is obviously a major
advantage over foreign, pet accompanied holidays where there are different
regulations for different countries and certain mandatory requirements to adhere
to when returning to the U.K. The pet passport scheme allows pets to travel
between certain 'approved' countries.
Locating pet friendly accommodation used to be a lot more difficult in the past
but now many hotels realise that by turning away pet owners they are cutting
short their own customer base. There are several specific guides and directories
that list pet friendly accommodation all over the United Kingdom, by using one
of these directories you will be able to narrow down your search and draw up a
shortlist of suitable hotels to contact.
If you have access to the Web, a great place for finding pet friendly hotels is
the suitably named: Pet Friendly Hotels.com. This website allows you to select
your chosen destination and then it brings up a list of hotels and guesthouses
that match your search criteria.
Always contact the hotel to gauge just exactly how pet friendly they actually
are. In other words, are they a hotel that is content simply to allow pets to
stay or are they actively encouraging pet owners to use their facilities?
Ask if there is a near by area where you will be able to exercise your pets, how
will you dispose of 'pet-mess'?, ask roughly how many guests take their pets
each year to the hotel, this will give you a good idea as to just how pet
friendly the hotel is.
Ask some of your fellow pet owners if they have taken their pets on holiday with
them and what their experiences were or if they encountered any unexpected
problems. Bear in mind your pets naturally steady lifestyle and daily routine
will be disrupted. This means you must be prepared for a possible change in
behaviour.
Some dogs have been know to run away when encountered with a new environment.
Always be vigilant for any stress or unease your pet might be experiencing.
Make use of the Internet and some of the specialist pet friendly guides when
planning your trip, these tools can prove to be most useful and will help you
prepare for your holiday in the best possible manner. Draw up a shortlist of
prospective destinations and accommodation then call them all with a prepared
list of questions. You should be able to get a feel for the establishments
attitude toward pets.
Ask yourself, do they just want another paying customer and are prepared to
tolerate a pet or do they really cater for the needs of family accompanied by
their pet(s)? Ask about the surrounding areas and other pet friendly
attractions. If they are unable to help you with this, it is more than likely
that not many owners take their pets to this particular hotel.
Do your own research on your chosen destination. Cities are obviously going to
be more difficult to include pet related activities, certain countryside
destinations may have restrictions on the areas you are allowed to take your
pets and seaside resorts may not allow pets access to particular attractions.
Above all else, to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible for you and the
four legged family members you must plan it well.
Here are some tips for a successful pet friendly holiday:
Ensure you fully research the pet policy of your chosen destination.
Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need.
If the accommodation is not set up to accept pets but is happy for them stay you
will need to ensure you have access to an area where you can exercise your pet
and if needed, safely confine your pet at certain times.
Carry plenty of water and your pet's normal food 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 and don't forget to pack any medication that your
pet may be taking.
Observe proper etiquette when holidaying with pets.
For example, always keep your dogs on leads in public and avoid leaving a dog
alone in a hotel room. Remember, not everyone in the hotel is likely to be a pet
lover.
Decide on a specific destination based on the availability of pet-friendly
facilities.
Make best use of the specialist resources available such as websites like
www.petfriendlyhotels.com
USEFUL LINKS
Pet Friendly Hotels