Nothing beats looking forward to a vacation – except, of course, going on one. But when you have a pet, you can’t just book the first travel deal that pops up in your inbox. Deciding whether to bring your pet or leave them behind requires diligent research, and probably involves some nail-biting as well. The good news is that, according to the Department of Transportation, lost pets, pet injuries and deaths all declined in 2011. But whether or not you bring your furry friend along, taking a trip requires advance planning and preparation to make sure your animal companion enjoys itself during your vacation as much as possible.
Leaving Your Pet Behind
Your cat probably won’t even notice you’re gone, while leaving might break your dog’s heart. Either way, they’ll appreciate being taken care of in your absence.
Kennel
If you want to give your furry friend its own vacation, consider boarding them in a kennel. Many kennels offer a suite of activities for your dog, and can customize their experience. Many urban cities have boutique kennels, but both PetSmart and Best Friends Pet Care offer kennel services in cities across the country. Prices vary depending on location, but a
survey of Best Friends Pet Care locations showed kitty condos starting anywhere from $16-$21/night, and dog boarding ranging from $22-$40/night. Depending on the kennel, those fees are typically for the boarding only and do not include extra services, such as taking your pet out for exercise and attention. These services will cost you more. If it’s in your budget, this is a great way to give your furry friend their own vacation while you’re away.
Pet-Sitter
If boarding your pet in a kennel is out of your price range, consider asking a trusted friend who is familiar with your pet to look after them for you. Or, ask your friends that love animals. They may be very eager to get to have a pet for a weekend. But remember that not everyone, especially those who rent, are allowed to have pets in their own home. Also be sure to compensate them for their time and effort!
Taking Your Pet With You
If you’re unable or unwilling to leave your pet grounded while you travel you still have options for getting them safely to your destination.
Use a Pet Airline?
Until recently, if you were traveling between Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, upstate New York, Omaha or Phoenix, you could send your pet on their very own flight! Pet Airways promised to transport your pet in their main cabin, with a dedicated staff to look after your pet. They even transported a pig all the way from Florida to New York. Unfortunately, due to financial troubles, Pet Airways has been grounded since December. Until they’re back in the air, bringing your pet on the plane is your only in-flight option
Bring Your Pet on the Plane
Probably the most dreaded of all vacation options, due to horror stories of pets being lost, getting injured, falling ill, or even dying while being transported. That’s actually less of an issue than it used to be, however, and navigating the landscape of fees and restrictions will likely be your greatest source of stress. Depending on the airline and the size of your dog, you could pay as little as $75 or as much as $349
each way to travel with your pet. Unfortunately, because airline weight restrictions include both the weight of the carrier and the animal, only the smallest of pets are generally allowed in lieu of a carry on. But even if you have to place your
pet with checked baggage or even in cargo, rest assured your animal will be placed in a special pressurized and climate-controlled area, just like in the main cabin.
Choosing your airline based on seat prices one option, as well as considering the reputation of the airline, with regards pet travel. Both Delta and Frontier also have reputations for being pet-friendly airlines. Continental (now United) has an award winning pet carrier program called
PetSafe, although unfortunately they don’t carry certain breeds of dogs, such as mastiffs or pitbulls.
JetBlue allows you earn reward points when you bring your pet as a carry-on. Earlier this week Alaska Airlines
announced a partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital to help passengers ensure that their pets are safe and healthy for travel.
Going on vacation should be a stress-free as possible, for both you and your animal companion. Whether they remain grounded or join you in the air, you should educate yourself about your available options before booking tickets. There is a lot to consider, including a wide range of fees, but the NerdWallet
travel tool can help you figure out which course of action will be the best for both you and furry friend.
