January 28 is National Plan for a Vacation Day, so what better time to talk about the best ways to plan for a stress-free, dog-friendly vacation?
Amy Burket, founder of GoPetFriendly.com, knows how to help. As Daily Paws reports, it was mid-2008 when Amy and her husband Rod found themselves adopting a stray German shepherd. The puppy was found near their home in Philadelphia, and after a few weeks of looking for his family to no avail, they decided to adopt him as their own and name him Buster. The issue? The couple, who at the time had a small dog named Ty, was planning a huge trip up to Canada about a month later and hadn’t accounted for two dogs coming along.
Burkert searched online for dog-friendly hotels and dog parks along their route but didn’t come up with much. The trip went well, but the experience taught her that other people probably were also looking for the same information. So in 2009, she launched GoPetFriendly.com, a comprehensive pet travel platform that quickly took off.
Soon after, she and Rod, who both work remotely for their CPA firm, sold their place in Philly, hit the road in an RV, and haven’t looked back since. “We love it, and by doing this with our dogs, we are walking the talk,” Burkert says, adding that Ty and Buster have sadly passed, and they now have a new pup named Myles.
Here are Burkert’s tips for making sure your dog-friendly vacation is all you hoped (and planned) for it to be.
Make Your Itinerary Dog-Friendly
There are many things to consider when traveling with your dog, from where you’ll go to how you’ll get there to fun activities to do along the way. While in the decision-making phase, Burkert recommends thinking about what you and your dog like to do together first.
“Do you like to go to the beach?” she asks. “What about hiking? Exploring cities? Or sitting at a coffee shop watching people walk by? It’s important to think about how much your dog physically can and would want to do and what you’d want to do together.”
And be prepared to make a few sacrifices for your four-legged companion. Dog-friendly vacation spots can come in various forms. Taking a road trip with your dog to New York City, for example, may not seem like a good spot because of the population density, but there are actually tons of great green spaces for your dog to play. “That said, you might consider sacrificing your trip to the Guggenheim if you’re with your dog,” she says.
Think About Where You’ll Stay
Your choice of accommodations is another important thing to keep in mind when planning your trip. While some locations have hotels that allow pets, other destinations with more natural surroundings might require flexible arrangements like renting a unique Airbnb or camping.
“A lot of people think that camping is a wonderful thing to do with a dog on vacation, but not if you’re planning on leaving him or her in the camper all day,” Burkert says. “That isn’t much of a vacation for your pet. Instead, try to find a place that will work for you both.”
International Travel with Your Pup
Before you head out on an international adventure with your favorite travel buddy, keep in mind that there can be potential health risks when taking your dog on long flights. It may make more sense to explore the spots where you can safely bring your dog along in the car on a road trip, or even via train travel, before booking a trip to one of these pet-friendly international cities.
As always, it’s best to talk with your veterinarian about whether it’s safe for your dog to accompany you on long flights or to visit other countries. Your vet will help you understand the risks and what you need to know before your pup gets a new passport stamp.
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Photo Credit: Jaromir Chalabala / Shutterstock.com