| The first question you need to ask yourself is, will | | | | of pet travel can be as much, or more, than |
| taking your pet with you to your vacation rental | | | | carry on. |
| enhance your experience, or will it add stress? | | | | Pet travel as cargo means your pet will not be on |
| Let's be honest, sometimes pets can be a | | | | the same flight as you, but rather on a cargo |
| handful, and sometimes it's relaxing to have a little | | | | plane going to your same destination. They'll |
| time away. Further, think of it from your pet's | | | | generally be afforded all the perks and benefits of |
| vantage point. Traveling is stressful for animals. | | | | pet travel as checked baggage, and will be |
| Comfortable, in-cabin airplane travel is usually | | | | delivered to the cargo terminal of your destination |
| limited to smaller pets, and even then it can be a | | | | airport within 60 minutes of arrival. |
| terrifying event in a pet's life. | | | | Pet Travel Tips |
| That being said, there are more pet friendly | | | | The following list contains tips to ensure your |
| vacation options than ever before, especially if | | | | pet's comfort during air travel: |
| you're not leaving the country. While most hotels | | | | - Familiarize your pet with the kennel to ease the |
| and resort-style hotels don't allow pets, you'll find | | | | stress of travel. |
| a huge number of vacation rentals by owner that | | | | - Keep your pet as calm as possible prior to the |
| are not only pet friendly, but actually run by pet | | | | flight. Take along a leash and collar for walking |
| owners who make every effort to ensure you | | | | your pet prior to departure. Do not place the |
| and your pet's stay is pleasant. | | | | leash inside the kennel. |
| Types of Pet Travel | | | | - Include identification tags with your home |
| Airlines generally offer three options for pet | | | | address and telephone number, as well as the |
| travel: checking your pet as baggage, pet shipping, | | | | address and phone number of the person |
| and co-location in the cabin. Cabin fees range from | | | | receiving the animal at destination. |
| $50 to $200, and while probably the most | | | | - Never send your pet with a muzzle or choke |
| comfortable for your pet, some with some | | | | collar on. Both can be dangerous when an animal is |
| pretty hefty restrictions. Pets generally must fit | | | | alone. |
| comfortably in a kennel that will slide under the | | | | Finding a Pet Friendly Vacation Rental |
| seat in front of you. For pets to travel in the | | | | Don't panic - it's not as bad as it all sounds. With |
| main cabin, they must remain in their kennels for | | | | one trip under your belt you'll be an old pro at |
| the duration of the flight, and there can be no | | | | traveling with your four-legged best friend. Most |
| more than one or two (depending on which airline | | | | large vacation rental property websites have |
| you fly) in each cabin. | | | | options to search with a pet friendly filter on, and |
| Pet travel as checked baggage means you'll be | | | | I think you'll be surprised at the number of |
| separated from your pet until you get to your | | | | options. If going somewhere warm and near the |
| destination, at which point you can travel to your | | | | water with your dog, look for a leash-free beach |
| vacation rental together. Strict size requirements | | | | where you can both run and play. If going |
| for kennels goes into effect for this type of | | | | somewhere cold, look for snowshoe or cross |
| travel, the minimum size usually being so your pet | | | | country ski vacation rentals so you can get some |
| can turn around easily without touching the sides | | | | hiking and good exercise in. |
| of the kennel. Airlines generally have temperature | | | | Wherever you end up going, make sure you |
| controlled holding facilities at their hubs, so pets will | | | | contact the vacation rental owner before you |
| be taken care in a comfortable environment in | | | | leave to make sure everything will be ready for |
| the event of a flight delay. Fees for this method | | | | you, your family, and your pet when you arrive. |