As any dog lover will tell you, our dogs are just as much part of the family as anyone with two legs. Rather than throwing your dog in the kennel while we fly to somewhere else warm and exotic, we would much rather our best friends were right there with us.
When planning to go away accompanied by your favourite canine companion, there are some things that you need to consider beforehand. For example, depending on where you will be headed, extra charges may be placed on the cost of the stay purely for the presence of your dog.
So, what do you need to know?
Hotel Charges
If you will be staying in a hotel during your holiday, make sure to check before booking that, first, the hotel allows dogs to stay on the premises and, secondly, if there are any extra charges to allow for this. Many hotels do not allow for dogs to stay in their rooms, especially higher end hotel chains, so unless a hotel specifically says that pets are allowed you should assume they are not. Of course, it never hurts to contact the hotel directly to confirm their policies on animals. See – How to choose pet friendly hotels.
Comparison sites such as Expedia, Booking.com and Hotels.com do offer filters as part of their search option. Here, you can immediately exclude any hotels that are pet-friendly – but even then you should read their policies to be sure of what animals are permitted.
Car Saftey Tips When Traveling With Your Pet
Flying with Dogs – Check with Your Airline
Flying with your dog is a grey area because while some airlines do allow for pets (usually between 8kg and 75kg) travelling in the hold, many do not (although most do make exceptions for guide and assistant dogs). Budget airlines, particularly in the United Kingdom, generally do not allow for pets, so if you were hoping to fly out at a discounted rate with your furry friend think again.
Before booking any flights, contact a representative of the airline for confirmation on the possibility of flying with your dog. If allowed, your dog must be microchipped and hold a pet passport or official veterinary certificate in order to travel in and out of the UK.
Dog-Friendly Beaches
Once you have reached the beach with your pooch, you should double check if the section of beach you looking to go to allows for dogs. It is not uncommon for beaches to have a whole or partial dog ban, in order to preserve the quality of the beach (i.e. no doggy doo-doo).
Check before you travel, as the last thing that you would want is to reach your destination only to find that you cannot take your dog to the beach with you. Some beaches in Europe actually label themselves as being pet-friendly, presumably to entice tourists who prefer travelling with their canine.
Home Away From Home
If you would rather not take any risks, and have the financial means to do so, investing in a holiday home might not be a bad shout. This way, you won’t have any concerns as to whether your pet will be allowed to come along.
Holiday homes do not necessarily have to be an expensive penthouse in Monaco, they can be found for more reasonable prices. Sometimes, looking at what caravan homes are up for sale in parks nearby beaches can be a financially realistic option of affording a holiday home where you can come and go as you please.
There is no reason why you should not be able to bring your furry friend along for the adventure, but make sure to do your due diligence before leaving – if you do, we are sure you and your pooch will have the holiday of a lifetime!
See Also, Tips for traveling with your cat.
