Pet Friendly Hotels

When the time comes for this years family Vacation, make sure the WHOLE family gets to go!

Our hotels with the symbol are pet friendly and accept dogs and cats.

Please contact the hotel directly if you have a different kind of pet and to confirm if the hotel will accept your pet.

Pet Travel Tips

Taking your dog or cat on the family vacation can make for a great trip, if you plan carefully.

Are you traveling by car, plane, train, bus, or boat? How long will the trip take? Will you be staying with family or friends, or at a hotel or motel? Is your dog or cat in good health?

These are some of the questions you will need to start answering to make your trip safe and fun.

Safety

A crate should be used for your dog's or cat's safety when traveling. Crates are available from most pet supply stores. Make sure to provide plenty of water and a favorite toy to make your dog as comfortable as possible. Check the crate for the following:

• Large enough to allow the dog or cat to stand, turn and lie down
• Strong, with handles or grips, and free of interior protrusions
• Leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of absorbent material
• Ventilation on opposing sides, with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow
• "Live Animal" label, arrows upright, with owner's name, address, and phone number

By Car

When traveling by car, be sure to keep your dog or cat comfortable. Bring along a favorite toy to make your dog or cat feel secure.

If it's hot, open car windows to provide sufficient ventilation. Do not let your dog or cat stick its head out of the window - this may lead to eye or ear injuries. Also, do not let your dog or cat travel in the back of an open pickup truck - your dog could be injured in an accident.

To help your dog or cat overcome motion sickness, take several short trips in the car before your journey. Also, feed your dog or cat lightly before the trip, about one-third the normal amount.

By Plane

When traveling by plane, plan to visit your veterinarian before your trip. Certification of health must be provided no more than 10 days before travel. Rabies and vaccination certificates are also required. Your dog or cat should be at least 8 weeks old, and weaned.

Airlines make it clear that it is the owner's responsibility to verify the dog's or cat's health and ability to fly. Ask your veterinarian whether it would be best for your dog to be tranquilized for the trip. Also be sure to check the temperature of the flight's starting point and destination; it may be too hot or too cold to be safe for your dog or cat.

Remember that each airline has its own variations on regulations and services. For example, if your crate doesn't meet their requirements, the airline may not allow you to use it. They may, however, allow your dog or cat in the passenger cabin if your crate fits under the seat in front of you.

When making your reservations, you must make reservations for your dog or cat. There are restrictions on the number of animals permitted-they are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

By Train, Bus & Boat

If you decide to travel by train, you may be disappointed - Amtrak does not allow pets of any kind, including dogs. (Seeing Eye dogs are permitted.) Local and commuter trains have their own policies.

Travel by bus may be equally disappointing - Greyhound and other bus companies that travel interstate are not allowed to carry live animals, including dogs and cats. (Seeing Eye dogs are permitted.) Local bus companies have their own policies.

If you're taking a cruise, you may be in luck. For example, the QED luxury cruiser, which sails from New York to England/France, provides special lodging and free meals for your dog or cat.

Check with the cruise line or ship that you are planning to use for their policies. Smaller ships will usually not be able to accommodate your dog or cat.

Lodging

If you plan to stay at a hotel or motel be sure to find out in advance if it allows dogs or cat - many do not.

If your dog or cat is allowed to stay at your hotel or motel, respect the privacy of other guests. Keep your dog or cat as quiet as possible.

Do not leave your dog or cat unattended. Many dogs bark or destroy property in a strange place.

Prevent any possibility of unwanted messes. You may want to keep your dog or cat in its crate at night. Also, ask where you should walk your dog or cat. The hotel or motel may not appreciate its grounds being used for this purpose.

Remember: to continue to have hotels accept guests with dogs or cats, it is important to respect hotel property, staff and fellow guests.

Other Helpful Tips

How ever you travel, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure your dog or cat has a sturdy leash and collar. The collar should have identification tags, a license, and proof of rabies shots. Your home phone number should be on the tags as well.
• You may want to consider a permanent form of ID - such as a microchip - which can increase the likelihood of reuniting you with your dog or cat if he or she gets lost far from home.
• Have recent pictures of your dog or cat with you. If you are accidentally separated, these pictures will help local authorities find your dog or cat.
• Take the phone number of your veterinarian and any special medication your dog or cat needs. Some dogs or cats can't adjust to abrupt changes in diet, so pack your dog's or cat's regular food, bowls, and a cooler of water.
• If you think you might need to board your dog or cat at some point during your travels, be sure to bring your dog's complete shot records.

Directories/Books

• The "Pets Allowed" Directory, by Modern Systems
• Pets R Permitted, Hotel, Motel & Kennel Directory: The Travel Resource for Pet Owners Who Travel, by The Annenberg Communications Institute
• The Portable Pet, How to Travel Anywhere With Your Dog or Cat, by Barbara Nicholas, The Harvard Common Press
• Take Your Pet USA, by Artco Publishing
• Vacationing With Your Pet, by Eileen Barish, Pet-Friendly Publications

Newsletter

There is a bimonthly newsletter called DogGone for dog owners to find pet-friendly vacation spots. DogGone offers practical advice on car and air travel. Subscribers can search a database of more than 8,500 accommodations to find a pet-friendly vacation destination.

For more information, write to:
DogGone
P.O. Box 651155
Vero Beach, FL 32965-1155

Book Online, or Call (800) 2-RAMADA for Reservations

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