With the spring and summer holidays just a heartbeat away, chances are you’ve started planning for your great escape. Whether you’re planning on hitting the road over Memorial Day Weekend, or sometime this summer, we hope that you’ve been considering what you will do with your pet while you’re away.

Planning for your pets while you travel is an important part of making your travel plans. Unfortunately it’s something that most folks forget to do, or put off, until the last minute. Here are a few things to consider when you head off into the wild blue yonder…

Pet Boarding

Boarding your pet can be a great alternative to hiring a live-in pet sitter or taking your pet along for the ride. Boarding provides your pet with a safe home-away-from home while you’re gone.

Many pet owners find that pet boarding can help ease the stress of leaving their pet behind. Knowing that your pet is safe and well looked-after by veterinary professionals makes travel a little easier. It can be nice to know that if something goes wrong that veterinary care is truly a heartbeat away, and that your pet is having a stay-cation of his or her own, while you enjoy your time away.

Traveling With Your Pet

Depending on where you’re going, and how you’re getting there, a great alternative to boarding is taking your pet along for the ride. Traveling with your pet is a terrific opportunity to create memories and see the world at a slightly slower pace, as you will have to make accommodations to your trip so that it is both pet-friendly and safe for your four-legged friend.

If hitting the road with your dog (or cat) is your idea of summer fun, then here are a few things you’ll want to consider…

Planning Ahead

Planning ahead for your pet’s happiness while on the road is likely to increase your own enjoyment of traveling together. Not every vacation is pet friendly, so be sure that your destination (and route) is something appropriate for your pet.

While driving, take frequent pit stops for your pet and get out to explore what the world has to offer. You never know what adventure you might find when watering your dog, and, with miles behind you and even more to go, why would you waste the opportunity to stretch your legs and explore a new trail or local dog park?

Likewise, make sure that once you’ve arrived you take the time to do things your dog will enjoy, too. You didn’t bring your dog all this way to just leave him or her in the hotel while you go out and have all the fun. Take a hike, go for a run, or find a new and exciting park or local pet store to check out.

Whatever it is, just be sure it’s something you can do together.

Where to Stay?

Depending on where you’re headed, finding pet-friendly accommodations can be a challenge, especially on the fly. Take the time to research the hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts along your route that are willing to take pets.

Often, having a crate for your pet can be a definite plus when it comes to staying in an unfamiliar place. Not only will your dog appreciate having a safe space to get away from the stresses of traveling, but it can also make leaving your pet much less stressful for you.

Papers Please

Before you leave home, be certain that your pet is wearing current tags and has your current info on his or her microchip. Even if your dog is chipped, the tags are important, as they will allow a Good Samaritan to contact you immediately if he or she finds your dog. Likewise, be certain your dog is up-to-date on his or her vaccinations prior to hitting the road.

If you have any other questions or concerns about pet boarding or traveling with your pet, or if you need to bring your pet current on his or her vaccinations, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.