A Travel Agent's Guide to Pet-Friendly Travel Planning

In 2008, an 80-pound German Shepard showed up outside Amy Burkert’s home in Philadelphia. After a search for his owner came up short, 1-year-old “Buster” joined the family (which then included Amy; her husband, Rod; and their 35-pound Shar Pei, Ty).

As it turns out, Buster’s timing was impeccable — the Burkerts were knee-deep in planning a three-and-a-half-week road trip, complete with seven hotel stops. After two days spent researching pet-friendly accommodations and feeling frustrated with the lack of resources online, the family packed the dogs into their car and, as Burkert says, decided to “just wing it.”

“Traveling with pets wasn’t as popular back then,” she said. “You could find a list of hotels that were pet-friendly, but you wouldn’t know the pet policy. You had to call [the hotel], find an employee who knew the policy … and then you had to hope that by the time you got there, the employee working the front desk knew the policy, and that it wasn’t different from what you were told on the phone.”

For this family — and, no doubt, the 90.5 million U.S. families that own animals (approximately 70% of households) — the decision to incorporate pets into travel plans may feel daunting. It’s what ultimately inspired the Burkerts to launch GoPetFriendly.com, an online travel resource for pet parents. And luckily, there’s been a shift in the way the travel industry views pets, along with an increase in travel advisors and suppliers who are ready to make sure that Fido and Fluffy are included.

The Rewards of Traveling With Pets

The rewards of traveling with a pet are vast. Not only does it strengthen lifelong bonds between humans and their animals, but it removes certain stresses that come with coordinating outside pet care, and the mental toll it takes on humans when they leave a pet behind, says LaDell Carter, founder of Royal Expression Travels, a Travel Leaders affiliate. (When it comes to kids, specifically, pet ownership has been shown to increase self-esteem, cognitive development and social skills, according to a 2017 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.)

“While vacations are for relaxing, they require a lot of planning on the front-end to ensure maximum relaxation once in the destination,” Carter said. “Boarding facilities often have strict drop-off and pickup schedules that may limit spontaneity. [With pets], we can fully relax knowing the whole family is present, and we have the flexibility to do what feels right in the moment.”

The COVID-19 outbreak was a huge factor in further entwining pets into our day-to-day lives: Nearly one in five homes adopted a pet during the pandemic (about 23 million households); as of 2021, 90% of those adopted dogs and 85% of the adopted cats remain in their homes, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“The benefits of having a pet have been studied for many decades; however, with the arrival of COVID-19, many spent more time than ever with their animals and cited them as the reason they felt overwhelming comfort in times of overwhelming fear,” Carter said. “For most, we can’t imagine going back to a time when our animals were not by our side — and travel is not excluded from that.”

The benefits of having a pet have been studied for many decades; however, with the arrival of COVID-19, many spent more time than ever with their animals and cited them as the reason they felt overwhelming comfort in times of overwhelming fear.

The New Pet Travel Landscape

Indeed, the pet travel landscape is no longer as barren as it was back in the time of the Burkerts’ road trip; now, both suppliers and travel advisors are increasingly interested in catering to this growing niche.

And the Burkerts themselves are no exception: GoPetFriendly’s online database and blog features guides to more than 300 pet-friendly destinations in the U.S. and Canada, along with 63,000 listings for beaches, dog parks, wineries, restaurants, hotels and more, filtered by location. 

Additionally, tourism boards are increasingly “courting families with pets,” said Heather Eisenstadt, owner of Top Dog Pet Travel, a full-service travel agency specializing in pet-friendly trips.

For example, Ace, the Pittsburg Adventure Dog, was a key component in Visit Pittsburg’s “Rediscover Pittsburg” campaign, and Nick the Border Collie was a staple on Mackinac Island in Michigan. And this summer, the Aruba Tourism Authority launched its “Have Dog, Will Travel” initiative, which aimed to draw dog-owning vacationers to the Caribbean island.

Hotels Are Now Viewing Pets as Valued Guests

Hotels aren’t standing on the sidelines, either. About 75% of luxury, mid-scale and economy hotels allow pets, according to an American Hotel and Lodging Association survey, and Harvest Hosts (an RV membership program) reveals that 37% of travelers say pet-friendly accommodations are a “must-have.” 

In 2021, Hilton’s No. 3 most-used booking filter was “pet-friendly;” this year, the company partnered with Mars Petcare to provide guests staying at 4,600 properties (across seven Hilton brands) access to virtual pet care resources, says Talene Staab, brand leader of Home2 Suites by Hilton. 

But there’s a difference between hotels that simply allow an animal to stay in a room, and those that view them as guests, Eisenstadt notes.

“The hospitality industry is running as fast as it can to catch up with how people want their pets treated,” she said. “It’s not uncommon for resorts to not only offer pet-friendly rooms, but for the rooms to have pet beds, water and food bowls, welcome baskets of treats, ‘Yappy Hour’ pet menus and pet spa massages.”

Kimpton Hotels & Resorts has welcomed animals since 1981, when its founder, Bill Kimpton, regularly traveled with his dog, Chianti. The company has no breed, size or species restrictions, and no extra fees or deposits. Visitors may even see “directors of pet relations” (aka in-residence canines)  wandering around during a stay, said Nick Gregory, senior vice president  of hotel operations for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

“Our guests often seek us out specifically for our pet-friendly policy,” he said. “Over the past several years especially, pet adoptions have skyrocketed … We’re also seeing many new pet parents on the road who are not willing to leave their pets behind, so they’re looking for places to stay that not only allow pets, but welcome them with open arms.”

Pets and Kids in Tow

Travel advisor Ryan Corrigan, founder of Corrigan Luxury Travel, books Kimpton both for her clients and her own family, which includes 19-month-old daughter, Sloane, and her 6-year-old Rottweiler, Denali.

Traveling with both pets and kids adds an extra layer of complexity to a trip, Corrigan says, noting that advisors can mitigate stressors by contacting the hotel ahead of time and prepping them for each family’s unique situation.

“The biggest hurdle [with any hotel] is the check-in/checkout process,” she said. “If clients have kids and pets, there’s a great value-add as an advisor to call the front desk the day the client arrives, and help the hotel prep for them as much as possible.” 

Travel Advisors Are Helping Clients Travel With Their Pets

Offering pet-friendly travel services could even be considered an extra add-on for travel advisors. 

Although not an advisor herself, GoPetFriendly.com’s Burkert said she believes people “are willing to pay a premium for that added level of service.” (Royal Expression Travel’s Carter and Anne Densk, a family travel specialist at Daybreak Destinations, add an extra fee.)

In addition to researching pet-friendly options for clients, Densk offers extra touches prior to departure, such as a packing list for pets, as well as reminders about any carrier/crate training, vet appointments and documentation requirements needed for travel.

“[Pet] parents want to be sure they can care for [their pets] and have access to options, even if they don’t need to use them,” she said. “One of the greatest benefits of bringing pets on vacation is having more control over a pet’s care, particularly if animals have special needs (medications, diets, etc.).” 

Top Dog Pet Travel’s Eisenstadt was ahead of the curve when she started her pet travel business 12 years ago; she prides herself on going above and beyond when it comes to the care and attention she pays all her clients — pets and humans alike.

“When I first started, about 20% of pet owners traveled with their animals,” she said. “Today, that number is 78%. That shift over the years is based on how the American family’s attitudes have continued to evolve on considering the pet not only as part of the family, but as a ‘furry kid.’ Children  often refer to their pet as a ‘brother’ or ‘sister.’”

One story she fondly recounts includes a family traveling over their dog’s birthday.

“I knew a local establishment that was a combination dog park and snack bar with a private room for small parties. I booked the room and hired the pet caterer who made an incredible array of pet treats, and the kids — as well as  the birthday boy — were surprised when they walked into the party room,” she said.

When I first started, about 20% of pet owners traveled with their animals. Today, that number is 78%.

Qualifying Pets for Travel

Although adding a pet may alter a trip’s itinerary, Corrigan believes it encourages the whole family to “get out and see and do more.”

“If you take the dog for a walk, why not explore a garden or a hiking path?” she said. “It’s a way for [kids] to foster that bond with their pet, and it encourages families to be creative.”

Just as it’s important to qualify kids, so, too, is it important to qualify pets.

“If your dog doesn’t listen to you at home, what makes you think she’ll listen to you on vacation?” Eisenstadt said, mentioning that pre-trip training may be a worthwhile expense. “If the dog constantly pulls on the leash, barks or lunges at people or other dogs, and does not follow commands, you will have a stressful vacation.”

Another good pre-trip exercise, Burkert adds, is to acclimate pets to new places before big-ticket trips.

“Your pet can be super well-behaved [at home], but it has to understand that the rules apply in new environments, too,” she said. “As you travel more, they start to get it. But one vacation a year with your pet? It’s going to take years and years for it to sink in. When you’re on vacation, that’s not the time to push your pet’s boundaries.”

And, sometimes, it’s best to leave furry friends at home.

“Pets are not cargo, even if that’s where they are placed for travel,” Densk said. “Be unafraid to lay out any drawbacks that might cause discomfort, stress, anxiety or trauma to the pet  due to the itinerary that the client chooses. While it may be disappointing or costlier for some, clients appreciate your care  and candor.”