Claire's Articles
Pets
If you are taking your pet, find a directory for pet-friendly hotels. Many motels and other accommodations now tolerate or even welcome pets. They generally charge an extra cleaning fee of between $10 and $25 per day (or, if you're lucky, per stay) and they'll often have special rules. Many don't allow you to leave a pet in your room if you're not there, for example. This is to help prevent noise and damage problems, although some may allow you to leave your pet in the room if it's in a kennel. Always check to see what the individual property's rules are. (At some Fairmont Hotels, door staff will actually take your dog for a walk if it's not a busy time of day.)
When you plan your itinerary, build in plenty of bathroom breaks for your pet, and try to keep to the same daily feeding schedule as much as possible. Always keep safety foremost in mind. Pets travelling in vehicles need to be either in kennels or in special harness-like seat belts, so that they can't interfere with the driver, and to give them some protection in case there's an accident. Be sure that your pet is tattooed or microchipped, and is wearing a collar with your cellphone number on it, just in case it gets separated from you. Always keep your dog on a leash in an unfamiliar area: you don't know the local risks, and an animal that gets spooked or is in strange surroundings may not respond to your usual commands, such as "come."
Research your planned stops ahead of time, especially if you want to tour any local attractions. Leaving your pet in your vehicle while you tour is not acceptable. On warm days, the interior of the vehicle can heat up enough to actually kill your pet. You also run the risk of having your pet stolen from your vehicle if you leave it unattended. A better option is to find a doggie daycare at your destination for the times when you want to be out touring.
Of course, it's even better if you can find fun activities to share with your pet, such as hiking. Just remember to double-check that trails and beaches are dog-friendly, for example, or allow your dog to go off-leash. Many visitors bureaus can help you find accommodation, restaurant patios, and parks that welcome pets.
