If you are planning on taking a vacation yet you don’t want to leave Fido or Fluffy behind, rest assure, many people take their beloved fuzzy friends on vacation. You can take your pet almost anywhere- many hotels and resorts now allow pets (mostly within a certain limit of pounds),  and even airlines will help accommodate your pet during a flight. Just remember to do your research to find out the rules and to make sure that your pet will be welcomed.

Make sure your pet has all necessary shots and was neutered or spayed. It would be a wise idea to get a routine checkup for your pet, plus find out if there are any dangers (including fleas and heartworm) that lurk in your destination.  Don’t forget to stock up on your pet medications (if necessary) and to ask your vet for advice. Also, stock up on essentials like a crate or carrier, your pet’s bedding and textiles, food, water, and other essentials (like a litter pan or a waste removal scoop). And bring your vet’s number just in case.

If you’re traveling in your car, make sure that you never leave your pet in the car (particularly for a long time), as heat or cold exposures could pose a danger. Depending on how long travel is, make sure that you have extra food and water. If you’re bringing a dog, don’t forget a leash. If you’re traveling by airplane, make sure your pet has a health certificate, check the rules and regulations, and expect to pay a boarding fee.

When searching for the right hotel or other source of lodging, it’s important to make sure that they accept pets and ask how much the pet fee will be. Don’t forget to find out if and where you can walk your dog. No matter where you walk your dog, it is crucial to bring a waste scooper and disposal bag- never leave your dog’s waste on hotel or city park grounds.