Sometimes, bringing your pet -- especially if it's as large as a horse, literally -- on vacation is simply impossible. These tips will help you make your vacations animal-inclusive!
Difficulty Level: average Time Required: 5 minutes
Here's How:
- Give yourself plenty of time to plan. The less time you have, the more difficult it is to plan a trip that includes your pet.
- Many inns -- probably most inns -- are not equipped to handle guest pets, so be sure to check with the innkeeper before making a reservation.
- Ask the innkeeper what supplies (e.g. crate, food) you need to supply and what they have available. Don't leave this to chance, or you might find yourself spending vacation time buying pet food.
- Step 3 above is especially important if your pet is a horse. Ask about stable conditions, local food suppliers, etc., before making reservations.
- If you're not driving to your destination, be sure to obtain pet regulations from the travel company (airline, train company, bus company, etc.) you'll be using.
- If necessary, provide a travel crate for your pet that allows it to stand up comfortably.
- If you're traveling in your car, try to give the pet a vantage point that allows it to look out the window.
- When you get to the inn, bring your pet inside first (even before luggage). Doing so can help reduce any anxiety the pet may be feeling.
- Follow whatever rules the innkeeper has. Remember, he or she probably has a lot of experience at boarding guests' pets and can help make your stay even more pleasant.
- Unless your pet has spacious outdoor accommodations, come back to the inn sometime in the middle of the day to comfort your pet (and perhaps take it outside for a potty break).
- Remember your pet's temperament. If your pet doesn't play nice, don't let it be kept in an area with access to other animals.
- Be sure to thank the innkeeper for the extra effort it takes to board your pet.
- If your pet causes any damage to the inn, it's common courtesy to point it out and offer to pay it rather than leaving it for the innkeeper to discover after you've left.
Tips:
- Although seeing-eye dogs fit into a special category, innkeepers still need to be notified in advance so they can make appropriate preparations.
- If this is the first time you'll be bringing your pet on a vacation, be sure to plan on spending lots of time with it. This can be a very stressful experience for some pets.
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