Pet Traveling

The results from our third annual Summer Pet Travel Survey are in! Pets -- especially dogs -- are traveling more than ever. Below is the complete breakdown of the data from this year's survey.

2012 Pet Travel Survey Results

What kind of pets do you travel with?

Dogs - 85%
Cats - 25%

How soon do you plan to travel with your pet?

Within the next 3 months - 47%
Within the next year - 40%
I do not travel with my pet - 12%

On average, how often do you travel with your pet?

Monthly - 15%
Annually - 42%
Every few years - 37%
I don’t - 5%

What is the most difficult part of traveling with pets?

Not enough selection of pet-friendly airlines - 17%   
Not enough selection of pet-friendly hotels - 40%
Not enough information on pet health requirements for travel - 12%
Airline pet travel fees are too expensive - 12%
Hotel pet fees are too expensive - 17%

What is most important to you when planning your pet's travel arrangements?

The safety of my pet. - 60%
Pricing and keeping the cost down. - 15%
Convenience to my own travel arrangements. - 25%

Have you ever traveled internationally with your pet?

Yes - 30%
No - 70%

In the next year, do you plan on traveling internationally with your pet?

Yes - 22%
No - 72%
Maybe - 5%

Choose to fly on an airline because they allowed pets or were "pet-friendly?"

Yes - 27%
No - 72%

Choose to stay at a hotel because they allowed pets or were "pet-friendly?"

Yes - 57%
No - 42%

Would you consider changing your original travel plans in order to better accommodate your pet?

Yes - 90%
No - 10%
 

Comments

Our survey also asked for general comments on pet travel from participants. Below are hand-picked comments which capture the most common concerns and observations participants made:

I would like more options for traveling via air with my pet - including purchasing a seat for my pet - at $250 round trip pet fees with less carry-on space. I'd rather spend more and have more room for both of us!
 

I would love a tracking system to know where they are and how they are doing.

I drive 15 hours to Delaware every year so I can bring my dog to the beach with the family. If flying with a dog were more convenient, safe, or less expensive I might not have to drive anymore.
 

The costs [of traveling with pets] will probably be painful, but leaving them back would be more painful.
 

I would never fly with my dog because he is too big to fit under the seat next to me. We've chosen to drive cross country on two occasions so we could take the dog with us. We set up the back of our sport wagon like his own home, and he loves it.

I LOVE my dog! I am however scared to death of putting her on a plane cargo hold. She is a large dog and it would frighten her terribly. I wish there was something better for flying with your big dog.

I love taking my dog with me everywhere. Right now there are not enough pet friendly hotels.

We are traveling a lot more [with our pet] and going further than ever thought.

We travel 5200km every 3 months by car with our Bull Mastiff. He is a part of the family. It is troubling to find a hotel that will allow our "family". Sometimes this leads to extra long times in the car to make it to the next "pet-friendly" hotel.

We find that a lot of hotels have weight restrictions on pets which is frustrating.

 

Want to Share? Tweet These Stats!

Dogs rule! Among people who travel with pets, 85% bring their dogs as companions. Tweet

Don’t forget the cat... One quarter of pet travelers include their feline companions. Tweet

In 2010, 1/3 of pet travelers said price of air travel was a roadblock. In 2012: only 12%. Tweet

Who needs a vacation? Nearly 1/2 of pet owners plan to travel with their pets this summer. Tweet

Attention hotel owners: 40% of people think there should be more pet-friendly hotels. Tweet

Safety first! Sixty percent of pet travelers name “safety” as their top priority. Tweet

More than 1/2 of people would choose a hotel based on its pet-friendliness. Tweet

90% of pet owners would change their travel plans to better accommodate their pets. Tweet

40% of pet travelers think there aren’t enough pet-friendly hotels (up 8% from 2011). Tweet

Pet travel can be newsy and serious but sometimes fun and creative, too, and we like to share the cool things we come across from time to time. Here's another dog video from Keith Hopkin, the video artist who made Dogs In Cars, which we posted here a few months ago.

This follow-up is called Dogs in Cars: California, and it's pretty adorable. Find out more about Keith's work through Twitter and Facebook, and remember to have some fun as you travel safely, everyone!

Name: Belinda
Pet's Name: Bronte
From: Colorado Springs, CO
To: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
 

When you move to Saudi Arabia from Colorado, everyone assumes you'll be putting your furry friends on Craigslist, but I knew when I took a new job overseas that I would be bringing Emily Bronte, my Siamese/Himalayan rescue cat, to the desert with me. What I didn't know was how.

I read tons of accounts on the internet about how people manage (successfully and not so successfully) to bring cats on planes with them for transatlantic flights. At the beginning, this was my plan, but I soon realized that getting my cat on the plane and keeping her from meowing for hours was the least of my worries. There were health certificates, import permits, international offices with phones that aren't monitored, and conflicting information coming from all directions about how, exactly, one gets an American cat into Saudi Arabia.

Needless to say, I also had a few other things to do--such as tying up the loose ends of my entire life, packing, and saying goodbye to friends, family, coworkers, and over 20 years of memories. I had neither the time nor the experience necessary to handle Bronte's move on my own.

Initially, I hired a local pet relocation company that quoted me a remarkably low fee and quickly proved that, at least in this case, I stood to get exactly what I paid for. These people had no idea what they were doing, and I was NOT going to leave them in charge of my 8-pound kitty in the hopes that they could get her successfully to her new home. After just one week of "planning" the trip with this company, I fired them.

That's when I found PetRelocation.com. Jon Bartosh was my first point of contact, but Abbey Seidensticker was my (and Bronte's) main guardian angel throughout the process. Even though Abbey is based in Texas, the company's network of pet relocation agents is so extensive that I knew I was leaving Bronte in good hands. This was not their first import to Saudi Arabia, and the experience and confidence that Jon and Abbey offered absolutely made the choice for me.

I left the country about a month before Bronte, and from there Abbey took care of absolutely all of the details. She coordinated with my vet, where Bronte was boarding, made arrangements with the CO USDA, made sure the Saudi Import permit was issued properly through the Department of Agriculture in KSA, and did a lot of general hand-holding for me--because I was really anxious about the whole process. When it was time to travel, Abbey arranged transportation to the airport, and food, water, and monitoring during the trip. She also did an amazing job of making sure I knew how to track Bronte's travel and verify her safe arrival at each destination. I even received a photo of Bronte just before she left the Denver airport.

Just this Thursday, Bronte arrived in Saudi Arabia. She had a direct flight from Denver to Frankfurt where she spend the night in the Lufthansa pet facility at the airport and was able to stretch, eat, use the litter box--all the things cats need to do. It was so nice to know that she was getting a break between two rather long flights. The second travel day brought her straight into Jeddah where I met her at the airport. We're now happily reunited in our new home!

I should note that PetRelocation.com does offer a door-to-door service, so I could have foregone the trip to the airport altogether, but I opted to do this bit myself, with the help of another agent who we worked with here in Saudi Arabia.

I couldn't possibly be more satisfied with PetRelocation.com. At a very stressful time in my life, they helped to manage what could have been the most stressful part of all. I will certainly use their services again when Bronte and I return to the US someday.

Ready for the weekend? Before you go, take a look at the top pet news stories of the week!

Are you an organic, DIY kind of pet owner? Here are some homemade remedies for pet care from Whole Foods.

The Chicago Tribune discusses airlines, customer service and rule-changing based on traveler demands.

In Australia, a pet hotel business is launching PetSkype so owners can interact with their pets while they're away from home.

Cat hotel problems? Cats are welcome to compete at cat shows in Malta, but they don't always have a place to stay.

Is Neem oil a miracle herb for dogs (and people)?

What exactly do we do here at PetRelocation.com? Glad you asked!

A little shameless self-promotion: we won a cool business award last week!

Name: S.
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: New Zealand
To: Vermont, USA

Hi, I am wondering what the process is for relocating with our cat from New Zealand to Vermont, USA? What is the travel like for our much loved Ollie? Costs? Shots? Etc.

Cheers,
S.
 

Greetings,

Thanks for reaching out to us with your question! Here are the pet import requirements for the United States. As you can see, Ollie will need to visit the vet and be up-to-date on shots, etc. We also recommend flying with a pet-friendly airline and working to get him accustomed to his travel crate as well as you can.

Please contact us if you'd like to speak to a relocation specialist in more detail. We'd be happy to help!

If summer pet travel lies ahead, it's a good idea to start preparing by reviewing summer airline embargoes and basic rules for hydration and safety. We have lots of great info on our blog, but here's a quick list that will help to get you into safe summer pet shipping mode!

-Choose a pet-friendly airline that values pets' well-being, and be sure to research all restrictions, embargoes and requirements before you make a reservation.

-Make sure your pet's travel crate is large enough, and don't be afraid to err on the side of caution in terms of size. The bigger the crate, the more air ventilation can occur and the cooler your pet will stay.

-Prepare your pets for a smooth ride by keeping them in good shape and acclimating them to their crate in the months before travel. Fit pets that don't fear their crate will be more relaxed and are less likely to experience shallow breathing and stress.

-If your pet has particularly long or thick hair, consider visiting a groomer who can remove some of the undercoat. Shaving isn't necessarily for the best, as pet hair can provide important insulation and cooling effects.

-Provide your pets with the water they need, and if your journey will be a long one that includes car rides and/or plane rides, bring ice or freeze water in a water dish the night before.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any more questions about safe pet transportation during the summer months or any other time of the year. Stay cool, pet travelers!

"So, what exactly do you DO?" That's a question we often receive here at PetRelocation.com. People who walk by our downtown Austin, TX office look in our window and wonder what we're up to, and visitors to our Facebook page check out all the cute pet pics and find themselves enamored with, but also a little confused about, all the furry faces they see.

The simple answer is, we move pets! New jobs, military assignments, or simple wanderlust often make domestic and international moves necessary for individuals and families, and who wouldn't want to bring their pets along on this new adventure? Pets are part of the family, and figuring out how to move them safely usually becomes a top (if not THE top) priority.

Import requirements vary from country to country and airlines operate with different rules, so pet travel can quickly become a complicated endeavor that presents a number of challenges and decisions to made. Handling a pet move yourself is sometimes possible but not always preferable, so this is where we come in.

Handing over a specialized task to experts is what we're used to doing for all kinds of things (think building a deck, repairing a car engine, or talking to a financial planner), and though you may never have stopped to think about it, organizing a pet relocation falls into the same category.

There you have it! Rescue organizations are great and we fully support pet adoptions, but our business is all about helping families move the pets they already have so that everyone can stay together during a time of change.

Find out more about the services offered by PetRelocation.com, read about the reasons people end up choosing to get help with a pet relocation, and remember if you ever need to plan a move, we'd be happy to offer our assistance!

Hi Brian,

Thanks for submitting a question to us. Here are the pet import requirements for Australia. You'll see that you do need to complete a variety of steps, including a rabies vaccination and RNATT. Australia is one of the more strict countries when it comes to importing pets.

Find more information on the official AQIS site, contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

Last week PetRelocation.com was honored to be selected as a 2012 Inner City 100 by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Fortune Magazine. We're honored to be ranked #38 on the list of 100 fastest growing inner city companies in the United States and the top-ranked Austin, TX company on the list.

CEO Kevin O'Brien traveled to Boston last week to accept the award, and also participated in a two-day business workshop featuring case studies and sessions led by educational leaders from Harvard Business School, Boston University, and Babson College.

Being included with such a successful group of growing urban businesses is truly an honor, and we take it as a sign of many more great things to come as we continue to work hard at doing what we love -- helping people and their pets!

Take a look at the full Inner City 100 list, read more about PetRelocation.com's ranking, and find out more about ICIC.org. Thanks to everyone who contributed to our success!

Name: Diana
Pet's Name: Minnie
From: Vicchio, (Firenze) Italy
To: Scottsdale, AZ
 

We are very connected to our Pomeranian Minnie who had to travel a long way back to the U.S. It was so great to have PetRelocation.com to take care of her during a stressful time for our family!!!

We knew she was well taken care of door to door. Their correspondence was exemplary and always cheerful too. I would never move her any other way.

Happy Friday! What are your plans with your pets this weekend? Before you head off to enjoy yourself, catch up with the top pet news stories of the week...

This couple paid big bucks to clone their beloved dog. Would you?

Find out more about summer pet travel embargoes and Delta's new summer pet program.

Should there be laws against letting dogs roam free in the car while you drive?

Remember: hydration is an important part of safe pet travel.

Too cute! This maternal dog adopted two kittens as her own.

A controversial issue -- A vet's view of pit bulls.

Pet preparation and dealing with the dog days of summer.

This blind dog has his own guide dog!

As temperatures rise, it's typical for airlines to adjust their pet travel policies. We've updated you about a few summer embargoes thus far from British Airways and United, and Delta has just announced a detailed summer pet program, as well.

Here's what they have to say:

"At Delta Cargo we take great pride in safely transporting live animals throughout the world.  We don’t just ship dogs and cats; we transport everything from hamsters to snakes to chinchillas.  We realize pets are considered family members and it is important for us to provide the same level of care and respect for them as we do their owners."

Beginning May 14, Delta Cargo will launch its 2012 Summer Live Animal Program, which entails allowing them to accept animals for transport even when temperatures exceed 85F/29C. At participating hubs, one or more air conditioned vehicles will be available to bring pets to and from the airplanes in support of their safety.

There are a few exceptions:

-If the station does not have air conditioned vehicles, animals cannot be transported if the temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Regardless of whether or not a hub is part of the Summer Program, snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be transported if the the temperature is greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check out the list below to find out which airports are participating in the program, and remember that things can always change, so be sure to check with the airline/airport ahead of time if you'll be traveling with your pet this summer.

As always, don't hesitate to contact PetRelocation.com if you have any pet travel questions.

Delta Cargo 2012 Summer Live Animal Program

Name: Camilla
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mix Breed
From: Oslo
To: London

How can I arrange my dog's travel myself, which airline should I use, and how expensive is it?

Thanks,

Camilla

Hi Camilla,

Thanks for your question! It's definitely understandable that you're researching your options and working on planning your pet move yourself, as pet travel can certainly be expensive no matter how you go about it. First, here are the pet import requirements for the UK (they've recently been relaxed so that's good news). Choosing a pet-friendly airline is very important, and we often fly with British Airways when we go to London. 

Additionally, on our blog we've offered some advice that may help you: how to control the costs of a pet move and pet travel lessons from a DIY pet move. Hopefully these will help to get you started. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

 

There are many details to consider when getting a pet ready for a move, but one of the most important things to remember -- especially during the warmer months -- is the importance of hydration.

Making sure your furry little travelers have enough water in their system before, during, and after a move can make all the difference when it comes to their overall well-being, and it will make it easier for them to bounce back to their normal selves after even the longest journey.

Here are a few general tips, including how to keep your pet hydrated, that will come in handy in the hours before take-off. Travel safely, everyone!

Keep your pets on a normal schedule. Feeding and exercise should be monitored in the days before the flight to keep pets feeling as calm and normal as possible. A couple of extra walks and more playtime than usual will tire them out and increase the chances of up-in-the-air nap time, and having water available in the hours beforehand will allow them to reach healthy levels of hydration.

Don't feed pets right before a flight. Even if there's a long journey ahead, it's better to avoid food for two hours or more before take-off so that an upset tummy will be less likely.

Say NO to sedation. You may have a generally nervous pet on your hands, but sedation can be dangerous and is not advised or allowed. The best you can do is make sure your pet is well-exercised and comfortable with the travel crate, so start working on these factors well in advance of the move.

Monitor water consumption. Give your pets water before they get into their crate, secure water dishes to the inside of the crate so they have access to fluids during the flight, and you can even freeze water in the travel dishes beforehand or bring ice cubes along so that as they melt your pet will have another chance to drink.

Check for temperature embargoes. Many airlines restrict pet travel during the summer months, so make sure you have clear answers about any changes there may be in order to avoid delays or problems.

Double check with your Pet Relocation Specialist that everything is in order. Things are probably well-covered after all of this, but it  never hurts to run down the list once more if you've hired someone to help you.

Keep track of your own stress level. Some people feel inclined to limit their pet's water intake to avoid accidents in the crate -- use your own best judgment here, and don't forget that it's fine to place an old towel or some shredded newspaper in the bottom of the crate to absorb messes. Also, remember that air travel tends to dehydrate humans, too. If your pets are thirsty when they land, simply help them rehydrate as you would do yourself and focus on helping them to settle into their new surroundings.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any more questions about traveling with pets.

Name: Leigh Ann
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: China
To: America

Hi,
I will be moving back to America from China and will be bringing my cat with me. While on the long flight, do I need to provide litter for my cat? If so, in China, you cannot find disposable litter boxes. Do you have another suggestion?

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Leigh Ann

 

Hi Leigh Ann,

That's a great (and frequently asked) question. We do not recommend litter in the travel crate -- this would probably make more of a mess than it's worth. Rather, we suggest placing something absorbent in the bottom of the crate, such as an old towel or some shredded newspaper.

Hope this helps! Please contact us if you have more questions about moving a cat to the United States or if you'd like a free quote for our services. Good luck with everything!

Name: Krysta
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Dogs
From: Puerto Rico
To: Northern Virginia/DC

My friend, who lives in Puerto Rico, has a dog that surprised her with puppies and I am working with a Rescue Organization trying to get them brought over to the US. What are the regulations and cost for bringing them over? Thank you!!!!

Krysta

Hi Krysta,

Wow, sounds like you have quite a situation on your hands. Well here are the pet import requirements for the United States (luckily it's not the toughest country when it comes to importing pets). As for costs, it will vary depending on a few factors.

For a free quote for our services you can fill out our online form, and if you'd like to speak to a Specialist you're welcome to give our office a call. Note that we recommend puppies be at least 12 weeks old before they fly.

Good luck with everything, Krysta! Just let us know if you need anything else...

 

Just as its becoming more common for people to fly with pets, more and more pet owners are driving with them, too. Whether for a vacation or a trip to the grocery store, many people have no qualms about bringing their pups along for the ride -- but a debate has arisen about what is safe and what isn't. (No, we're not going to dive into the whole Mitt Romney and Seamus situation.)

In Rhode Island, legislators are considering a ban on the practice of letting dogs roam freely in cars. It's been shown that wandering dogs can be a dangerous distraction to drivers (and can also be a safety hazard for the dogs themselves), and though some pet owners balk at the idea, many say the lap dog practice should be made illegal.

Here's the full article about the Rhode Island situation from The Wall Street Journal. A few other states have tried to instate similar laws and many places have bans on texting and talking on the phone while driving, but it seems that pet-related legislation is actually pretty tough to pass and no one has succeeded thus far. We'll see what happens this time around, and will do our best to keep up with all the latest pet travel news as it develops.

Do you restrain your pets when you drive or allow them to move around the car? Do other drivers' habits regarding pet travel make you feel unsafe? Let us know what you think!

Do you buckle up before you hit the road?

We've made it to another Friday! If your week was too busy to let you keep up with all the pet news, here are some links to the top stories. Enjoy...

Travel + Leisure names its Top Pet-Friendly Vacation Destinations. Spoiler alert: Denver does pretty well.

Check out these photos of Afghan rescue dogs, nicknamed 'battle buddies,' who are being brought to the United States.

Here's a slideshow of books "authored by" celebrity pets.

The Aggressive Breed debate never seems to end. A Maryland court examines Pit Bulls and finds them to be 'inherently dangerous.'

Sometimes it's possible to handle a pet move yourself, but most people think it's worth it to seek out a little help. Top Reasons Pet Owners Hire Pet Transport Services.

Did you meet Marshmallow, our Pet Move of the Month?

Around here we're primarily concerned with permanent and long-term pet relocations, but somethimes it's fun to take a look at pet travel trends as a whole.

Recently Travel & Leisure released its top pet-friendly vacation spots according to its readers, and you can take a look at the results below.

What do you think? Have you visited  (or lived in) any of these cities? What's your favorite place to travel with your pet?

Travel & Leisure's Top City Rankings of Pet-Friendly Vacation Destinations

Rank      City                                        Score

1              Denver                                 4.32

2              Portland, OR                      4.30

3              Portland, ME                      4.19

4              Austin                                   4.17

5              San Diego                            4.17

6              Seattle                                 4.13

7              Savannah                            4.11

8              Santa Fe                               4.05

9              Minneapolis/St. Paul      4.01

10           Providence                         3.98

11           Philadelphia                       3.88

12           Charleston                          3.85

13           Kansas City                         3.84

14           San Francisco                     3.80

15           San Juan, P.R.                    3.80

16           Los Angeles                        3.68

17           New Orleans                      3.64

18           Nashville                              3.63

19           Houston                               3.61

20           San Antonio                       3.59

21           Phoenix/Scottsdale        3.56

22           Memphis                             3.55

23           Chicago                                3.48

24           Salt Lake City                      3.46

25           Boston                                 3.40

26           Anchorage                          3.38

27           Miami                                   3.25

28           Washington, D.C.             3.20

29           Baltimore                            3.18

30           Orlando                                3.09

31           Honolulu                              2.97

32           Dallas/Fort Worth            2.93

33           Atlanta                                 2.84

34           New York City                    2.74

35           Las Vegas                            2.44