Find pet-friendly places and spaces.
How and where you spend your time will make a difference to your pet's happiness. If you plan to be out on the town a lot doing things that are not pet-appropriate (visiting museums, amusement parks or local restaurants, for instance), unless the hotel you're staying at offers animal sitting, it may be best to leave your pet at home with a pet-sitter or at a boarding kennel, says Angela Wu, founder of The Pet Friendly Canada Directory in Calgary, a pet travel and accommodation information resource. But if you prefer activities such as hiking, picnicking or visiting parks, bringing your pet can work well.
Not all accommodations will allow pets, so call ahead and ask if animals are welcome. Many places will allow small pets but nix large ones. At some you can leave pets unattended for short periods of time, while others will tell you to crate your critter if you leave him alone. For safety reasons, some places will not service your room if your pet
is unattended.
How your family likes to travel will also affect your pet, says Scott Beddall, director of operations of Pets Can Stay Canada in Victoria, a travel-planning service and information resource for travellers with pets. If you like to camp in the wild but your pampered pup prefers a short stroll through a city park, keep him at home. If you all like the pampered life, trips to hotels that accept pets are a good option. Some deluxe hotel chains and resorts toss dogs a bone and more, such as a plush dog bed, food and water bowls, and a doggy check-in package with a toy and treats.
• Check it out:
takeyourpet.com, pawsitivepets.com, petfriendly.ca, petscanstay.ca, petswelcome.com,
pettravel.com, dogfriendlydirectory.com
• Call your destination accommodation and ask if they accept pets. If you're renting directly from a property owner (for instance, a private cottage or vacation home), call the owner to find out if pets are welcome and whether the environment is amenable to them.
• Check out tourism association guides.
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