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Traveling With Pets: Fido, Your Bone and Room Are Ready

A huge 14 per cent of Americans travel with their pets, that’s 36 million households, so hotels and inns are creating pet-friendly rooms or floors to make traveling with Fido or Muffy easier, and safer.

Some Westins, a brand of Starwood, make it clear they want your pet to feel as welcomed as you are.

They offer pet toys, treats and even a turn-down treat on the pet’s bed.

Some Four Seasons hotels have been known to have a "Bring Fido" program,  which includes offerring such culinary specialties as Rin Tare Tare for hungry dogs, and a salmon specialty for cats.

Obviously there’s more to welcoming Fido and his furry cousins than a love of pets.

Market studies have consistently shown that guests who come with their pets, and whose pets are welcomed by the hotel, become repeat customers.

Obviously, pet owners see their pets as part of the family, and are  fiercely loyal to the property and the brand that welcomes them.

But traveling with your pet requires definite canine or feline etiquette.

www.bringyourpet.com provides information on 2000 or so pet-friendly accommodations nationally, but also stresses these tips and behavior codes for Fido and Muffy:

• Never show up unannounced with a pet without checking the pet policies where you'll be staying
• Leaving a pet alone in a room is never a good idea, and usually not allowed by management. If absolutely necessary, be sure to keep them crated since maids will likely service the room
• Leave the television or radio on to keep the pet company
• Consider feeding a pet in the bathroom and avoid carpets , minimizing messes
• Travel with two gallons of extra drinking water from home. If the  pet is especially sensitive, use distilled water.
• For cats, experts advise a full litter pan with extra litter, liners, and newspaper to place underneath for cats
• Old towels, carpet cleaner, disinfectant spray, and trash bags are important for accidents
• And carry a flashlight for those nighttime walks

Pet Finder Tip

According to the ASPCA, about 5 to 7 million animals enter shelters every year. But, the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy reports, that fewer than 2 percent of cats and only 15 to 20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these pets were found with tags, a tattoo or microchips.
 
Enter a newer pet-locating technology called SecuraPAL (Pet Automated Locator)   that sends a text message and email if a pet escapes its yard or home.
The device is a small, lightweight GPS that attaches to the pet’s collar, and an interactive web platform that allows monitoring the pet’s location from a smartphone or computer.