Travel 101: Tips for traveling with your pets this holiday season

November 18, 10:00 PMPhoenix Western US Travel ExaminerAngele Sionna

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Dogs on family vacations are a must for many Americans

Best Western

Pets are a part of so many families... and they are must-have travel buddies for vacations, especially at the holidays.

But traveling with an animal isn't always easy. Sometimes it's hard to find a good place to stay that allows your fury friend and sometimes you may even end up sneaking a pet into a hotel if worse comes to worst. (Over a third of pet-owners apparently admit to do that!)

But you can have a great, pet-friendly vacation with a little planning. My family has taken our dog on countless cross-country trips and we've all had a blast! I personally have ended up at many a Best Western because of their liberal dog policy. But don't assume they all allow all dogs. They don't. Many have weight restrictions. Call and ask for details on their rules before you make a reservation. I asked Amy Graff, travel expert and spokesperson for Best Western International, for some tips on traveling with your pet this holiday season...

Examiner: What are the top 3 most important things when traveling with pets?
Amy: Book in advance. Research basic information about pet friendly travel accommodations and make your reservations in advance. Best Western International and AAA recently conducted a survey and found that thirty-five percent of pet-owning respondents admitted to sneaking their pet into a hotel or motel in the past! So why not choose a hotel that accepts pets in the first place and avoid all the headache? AAA publishes a pet accommodations book every year that highlights pet-friendly accommodations across the U.S.

Shots and tags. Make sure your pet has the proper ID to travel, including and a collar with a current ID tag. You may also consider a collar tag with travel-specific information, such as your cell phone number. Make a visit to your vet to update any shots your pet needs, check your pet for any health problems that may be affected by travel, get a health certificate and proof of any necessary shots from your vet, and get any medication your pet needs. Remember that you need a health certificate issued within 10 days of your trip.

Take breaks. It’s tough for pets to be cooped up in a car or plane. Make sure to stop every two hours for a little exercise, water, bathroom breaks and snacks. You’ll have a much better time on the road.

Examiner: Why should you plan in advance when traveling with pets?

Amy: You want to make sure your destination and hotel are suitable for pets. Being located near parks and other pet-friendly outdoor areas will save you and your pet’s sanity. Goby.com is a great tool for identifying dog-friendly activities and locations such as parks, hiking trails – even restaurants – near your accommodations. Also, there a few items you should always pack for your pet, such as:
1. Food and Water
2. Eating/drinking bowls
3. Pooper scooper/litter box/plastic bags
4. Extra leash/collar
5. Treats and Toys
6. First aid supplies (bandages, ointment, medications, etc.)

Examiner: Are all Best Westerns pet-friendly? If not where can you find a list?

Amy: No, not all Best Western hotels are pet-friendly but more than 1,900 are internationally. When you search for a property on www.bestwestern.com it will signify if a property is pet-friendly and will include that hotel’s “pet policy.”

Examiner: What are the pet rules/restrictions at Best Westerns?

Amy: The pet rules and restrictions differ from property to property – some charge for pets, others have weight restrictions. It’s always best to review each hotel’s policy or call them with questions. Check out www.bestwestern.com/pets as well for more information about traveling with pets and Best Western properties.

If you're going to be traveling your pet for your Thanksgiving getaway, be sure to take a photo! Then send it in to AAA’s PetBook Photo Contest. More about that HERE.