Now that summer is here family vacations will be many. With the growing trend of including the family pet in vacation plans, companies to aid in the planning of pet friendly trips are popping up.
As a proud pet parent of 10 rescued dogs, planning a trip of any length and duration is quite a task. You must contact hotels, eating establishments, attractions, camping sites, parks, etc for their pet policies. Then, once you arrive at a destination, you may need a pet sitter, or heaven forbid, a vet. No big deal, just look in the yellow pages you say. Yes, that is an option, but I tend to want references for any service provider that comes in contact with my dogs. Extreme you say? Perhaps. I look at it as: 1. my dogs have come from horrid conditions, so I am very protective of them. 2. As humans, don't you ask for references when you go to a new medical provider or someone new will care for your children during your night out? If you answer yes, then why wouldn't you do the same for your dogs?
I am very good at multi-tasking most days, but I will take any help I can find or am offered. I have found help in planning trips that include my dogs with pet friendly planning websites. These websites offer a wealth of information that has been verified and kept up to date. The information data bases include pet friendly hotels, camping sites, RV parks, restaurants, off leash parks, pet friendly beaches, parks, including national parks, shopping, attractions and activities. In addition the sites offer service providers including pet sitters,dog walkers, doggie daycares, vets, animals hospitals and boarding facilities.
www.gopetfriendly.com has an application where you enter your start location, destination and number of miles you would like to travel each day. You receive a road map and driving instructions with pet friendly accommodations. From that point you can locate attractions, service providers and activities. It is similar to a concierge service. GoPetfriendly.com also has comments and suggestions from fellow travelers that is a great help.
OK. so you are traveling coast-to-coast but not driving. Still you want to include your pet. Launching July 14, 2009 in 5 major cities is Pet Airways . Pet Airways " is an option for everybody who wants a safe, caring and comfortable environment for their pets", says Alysa Binder, executive vice-president of Pet Airways.
Pet Airways will operate like a private airline, with no long lines and security checkpoints. You will check your pet in within 2 to 48 hours before take-off. The pets will later board the airplane with the help of pet attendants. The planes are 19 person passenger planes fitted with kennel style cages. The pets will be in cabins that are well lit, and climate controlled with circulating air. Attendants check on all "passengers" every 15 minutes during the flight. Once the plane has landed, each "passenger" is given a potty break. You can then pick up your pet immediately or board overnight.
The cost is comparable to the cost of flying your pet in the cargo holds of passenger aircrafts and much less risky. Flying Pet Airways is a comfortable, enjoyable experience rather than a dark, cold, scary experience in cargo holds.
Initially, Pet Airways will fly to regional airports in New York, Washington. Chicago, Denver and Los Angles. For additional information, visit www.petairways.com
So now, Fido and FeFe can enjoy your companionship as you discover America this summer. Happy travels. Happy memories.
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