Vacationing With Your Pet! A Fun Idea

 

Photograph of Ginger: the Canine Concierge at The Muse New York.

One of the things that are of concern to pet owners when planning a vacation is to consider what types of arrangements are available for their pets.

For some folks, leaving their beloved fur kids home is not the option they wish to choose. But what kinds of alternatives are available?  What about taking your pet along with you on your trip?

Some questions do come to mind when considering this option. Is it preferable to have your pet travel with you? Is it better to leave your pet in a boarding facility or to hire a pet sitter?

These decisions of course are up to us as pet slaves, but purrsonally, if I had my "druthers", I would feel more comfortable having my cats accompany me. Being close to them,  knowing exactly what they are doing would be less stressful for me, and more than likely less stressful for my kitties. They do miss us when we are gone!

So while mulling over the idea of bringing my cats on vacation with us, my next step was to begin researching "pet friendly" facilities.

During this quest,  I discovered the Kimpton hotel chain which affords pet friendly accommodations in major locations across North America.

Pioneers in the field of Pet Friendly hotels they were the first group which opened their doors to pets in the early 1980s  The amenities that they offer to pets in addition to excellent lodging for their human caretakers rings the bell.

It was indeed refreshing to find lodging where not only is my pet welcome, but will be pampered.  I was very happy to find a pet friendly "home away from home" where we could enjoy travel and at the same time enjoy our feline company. I view it as a wonderful win-win situation.

I was so impressed with this leading Pet Friendly hotel chain that offers fabulous facilities for our pets that I offered to do a feature about them on my blog. I do hope that it is helpful to folks who are considering this option.

At the same time it is also helpful in making the decision whether to travel with your pet to compare the cost of boarding or hiring a pet sitter to visit your home several times a day.

Bear in mind, however, at the same time, it is equally important to remember the emotional impact on our furry companions when we get those suitcases out  and suddenly disappear, leaving  Fluffy or Fido in a strange environment or with a caretaker at home.

So if you have decided that bringing your pet with you when you travel is your best option, why not explore the Kimpton Hotel web site.

For further information,  check out the pet packages offered. 

Have you ever traveled with your pets? What were your experiences. Please share by leaving a comment.

Traveling With Pets: Helpful Hints

 
Missy Toe: Who owns Donna

I am frequently asked,"What is the best way to travel with a cat?"  While some cats do enjoy traveling, in my experience with ours, they are not a part of that elite group of felines.

The moment our cats spy a carrier they become anxious.  No matter what we have done to make their carriers more appealing and inviting, leaving them around the house filled with cozy towels and abundant toys and treats, they are not falling for our rouse.

While they do not  necessarily associate carriers with the dreaded trip to the veterinarian, they know that once they are placed in that soft bag carrier, that the noisy moving monster, the car, is not far behind.

They immediately express their feelings by communicating their displeasure loudly and incessantly, only pausing for a traffic light stop. The soft music we provide is drowned out completely.

Despite their discomfort with travel, cats often have to be transported when moving, or if we as caretakers are involved in breeding and showing  or just welcoming a new kitty into the household

While traveling with felines can be a stressful time for both cats and their caretakers, we can ensure their safety and  make them as comfortable as possible when travel becomes a necessity.

What can we do to make them as comfortable as possible while traveling?  It depends on the mode of transportation we are using.

Driving:  I recommend that kitties are safely enclosed in a carrier, crate or cage. While we may have to listen to the "Hallelujah" chorus for the entire trip,  letting a cat roam free in the car sets up a dangerous situation, not only for the cat, but for the driver as well.

Cats love to explore the interior of the car,  and  can often find themselves situated under the pedals, putting the driver at risk of injuring the cat. If a window must be opened, it is a tempting escape route.

I have frequently seen felines posing attractively in the rear window, soaking up the sun, but this is worrisome to me. A cat loose in the car is inviting tragedy, as far as I am concerned.

Air Travel: Visit my previous entry:  Air Travel With pets: Making it Safer

If you are planning extensive travel with your pets, and are considering  overnight stays, there are many pet friendly hotels and motels that  do welcome our furry families. Visit  Pet Friendly Travel.com

 

Scarlette: Who owns Fourhorsegal

For dog lovers: For more information about traveling with your dog, visit  Dogtime.com's excellent article.

Traveling with a cat or dog does present challenges. With proper preparation the experience can be safe and enjoyable for both humans and pets.

Have you had an interesting travel story? Please leave a comment and tell us about it.

Air Travel with Pets: Making it Safer

Jillian: Ragamuffin Kitten

Jillian, a beautiful Ragamuffin kitten was being shipped by air by her breeder to her new owner. At the security check point at the Atlanta Airport, Jillian was removed from her carrier to search it. Since she was frightened by a unfamiliar environment and sounds, she panicked and escaped.. Thankfully, after a huge concerted effort by many people, including Lisa Reber  an animal communicator, who were involved in her rescue, Jillian was found and is now safe and sound in her new home, with her brother. A reward of $600.00 was raised and will now be donated to Ragamuffin Rescue.

But this scenario is not unique. Pets escape or get lost. Delivery may not be on time. And while airlines do their best to ensure the safety of pets that are shipped, these unforeseen events do happen. However there are precautions we can take to minimize the risk.

Be sure, if you are shipping a pet, that you have all the identifying information handy. Flight numbers, the name of the airline and arrival airport are important to have on hand.  Mark your carriers carefully with tags and labels. When I have shipped cats, I have insured them for a "tidy" sum which alerts workers that they are handling precious cargo. The safest way to travel, however, is the have your pet accompany you on your flight in the cabin, itself. Ticket arrangements must be made in advance as only one pet per section is permitted. The airline will also inform you of any pet carrier requirements.

I have recently learned that there are secure rooms in which pet carriers and people can be searched. You must request this room. The handlers will allow you to take the pet out of the carrier, hold the pet and will return the carrier to you after it goes through the scanner  You can then safely return the pet to its carrier.

 
Mousie Tongue: Siamese Cat

When we moved from New York State to Florida in 2001, I traveled with my Siamese cat, Mousie Tongue by Air. In preparation for our journey, I trained him to be at ease wearing a collar and leash in his carrier. It was fortunate that I had the foresight to do this  as it turned out that our flight was  four days after 9/11. The airline schedules were understandably unpredictable, and security was at an all time high. When they requested me to take him out of his carrier, his collar and leash protected both of us. He was terrified with the crowds and noise and would probably have gotten away from me.

I am so happy that Jillian's story has a happy ending.

Have you traveled with a cat by air? Leave a comment and tell us about it.