Ten Important Phone Numbers for Pet Parents

By Julia Williams

When it comes to responsible pet ownership, there’s no such thing as being too prepared, or having too much information. We all know how important it is to keep the telephone number for our pet's veterinarian close at hand. We also need to have the number and location of the nearest emergency vet hospital in case our pet gets sick or injured on weekends or after hours. In addition to those two essential telephone numbers, there are many others a pet owner might need at one time or another.

In an emergency, it’s much better to be prepared and know who to call than to be frantically searching for a phone number. The one thing you do NOT want to do in an emergency is search the internet for phone numbers. This is likely a waste of time because, as I discovered while doing research for this article, much of the information is outdated and the numbers are disconnected. I’ve only included numbers here that I could verify. Some are toll free numbers, but others may incur long distance charges depending upon your phone service. Also note that some may only be staffed Monday through Friday during regular business.

● ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1 888 426 4435
If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, you can call this poison control center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The cost for a poison-related emergency consultation with a veterinarian or toxicologist is $65, which can be billed to your credit card.

● Pet Poison Helpline: 1 800 213 6680
This 24-hour animal poison control service for the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean charges a $35 per incident fee, payable by credit card. This fee covers the initial consultation as well as all follow-up calls associated with the management of the case.

● Spay/USA Helpline: 1 800 248 7729
This national spay/neuter referral service can help you find a low cost clinic in your area. Their mission is to reduce pet overpopulation by making spay/neuter services affordable to everyone who has a cat or a dog. Phone counselors are available M-F from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

 ● CANIDAE Pet Food Customer Service: 800 398-1600
Call this number if you have questions about what food to feed your pet, or other food related questions. Such as: Is a grain free diet right for my dog or cat? Should I switch my senior pet to a formula designed specifically for older animals? What protein sources are good for a pet with allergies? How much food should I feed my pet every day?

● The Animal Legal Defense Fund: 707 795 2533
The nonprofit ALDF was founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law. Contact them if you have questions about animal neglect or abuse, pet related landlord-tenant issues, pet custody concerns during a divorce, or if you need information on how to include animals in your will.

● ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline: 877 474 3310
This program was created to help pet owners who are dealing with the loss of a pet. You can also call them for assistance with the decision to euthanize, advice on how to help children, disabled individuals and other family pets who are grieving the loss of their companion, and help establishing a relationship with a new pet.

● Pet Travel Information: 877 241 0184
If you’re planning to travel with your pet by plane, train or cruise ship, call Pettravel.com for information on regulations and restrictions, pet container requirements, vet certificates, and clearing security.

● Pet Airways: 1 888 738 2479
The world’s first pet-only airline currently transports four-legged passengers between nine major U.S. cities, with several more in the works.

● Animal Behavior Hotline: 312 644 8338, ext. 343
Behavior specialists are available to answer questions and provide solutions on everything from separation anxiety to aggression.

● Lyme Disease Foundation: 860 870 0070
The LDF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding solutions for tick-borne disorders. Call them if you need information on tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Colorado Tick Fever.

Part of being a responsible pet owner is being as prepared as possible for any situation that might arise. I hope you find the above phone numbers to be a useful resource, and if you know of any other important phone numbers for pet owners, please leave a comment so I can add it to the article.

Photo by Alessio Michelini

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Eight Great Dog-Friendly Cities in America

By Tamara L. Waters

Whether you are planning a permanent move or a vacation, knowing which cities are friendly and welcoming toward your pooch can make things easier for you and Fido. Before you go, it pays to do a little research, and the site dogfriendly.com has made it easier for you. They've  compiled a list of cities in America that are the most dog-friendly, which you can read here. 

When you’re looking for a city or town that is dog-friendly, you hope to find a number of businesses and attractions that will welcome not only you but also your pet. Whether the businesses allow you to bring your pet shopping or visiting with you, or they simply provide kennels or other amenities to your four-legged friend, being dog-friendly comes in many forms.

According to dogfriendly.com, eight of the best dog-friendly cities in the United States are: San Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; Austin, Texas; San Francisco, California;  Boston, Massachusetts; Orlando, Florida; Salt Lake City, Utah and Charleston, South Carolina.

What makes these cities so dog-friendly? It's a combination of things. These cities feature hotels and other accommodations (like resorts and vacation home rentals, as well as RV parks and campgrounds) that allow you to bring your pets on vacation.

If you are planning a longer stay in these cities or even a relocation, there are plenty of other things that make them dog-friendly. There are attractions like Sea World in San Diego that provide kennel services for guests who are vacationing and visiting with their dogs. Other attractions that welcome dog visitors include Ziker Botanical Gardens in Austin, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Barbary Coast Trail in San Francisco, and the Freedom Trail in Boston.

When it comes to dining and shopping, many of these dog-friendly cities have outdoor restaurants as well as shopping centers, stores and public transportation that allows your pooch to tag along.

Whether you are just visiting or you plan to become a permanent resident, visiting the beach and local parks for fun and recreation with the family can turn into a great day with your dog as well. Many of these dog-friendly cities have beaches that are open to canine beachgoers, and parks that welcome four-legged friends. Some cities even have off-leash dog parks that will provide an opportunity for fun, frolic and socialization.

If you plan to visit a vineyard or winery, there are a few that will let you bring your dog with you. Check the dogfriendly.com site for each individual city to get the pertinent information.

What else makes these areas dog-friendly? Some of these cities have events (check out Portland's Dogtoberfest, the Bark and Wine Ball in San Francisco, and a whole list of dog-friendly attractions in Boston) and rescue groups which show that the residents of these cities love dogs! In addition, dog-friendly cities have emergency veterinary hospitals available in case there is a medical issue with your dog.

Be sure to make a phone call or two to verify all information and ask about any policy changes regarding pets. Check out the following related articles on our blog: Dog-Friendly Beaches; Pet Friendly Businesses and Fun Destinations; Dog Parks: What to Know Before You Go; and Camping With Dogs. You might also want to ask your veterinarian for tips and recommendations when traveling with your dog. After all, you want your visit to a dog-friendly city to be enjoyable for everybody!

Photos by David Shankbone

Read more by Tamara L. Waters

Monday Pet Roundup

Hi and Welcome to Monday Pet Roundup!

* Allowing your dog some play time at the park should be fun and safe. Here's what you need to know about dog park and doggy day care safety, from Dog Star Daily.

* Going to Disneyworld this summer? What about your pet? Check out these new luxury pet resort at Disneyworld...dogs, cats, even hamsters! They offer dog walks, play time, cuddle time, grooming, bedtime stories, even luxury rooms with televisions! I think my dog Kelly would love this!

* Other traveling with pets news isn't so bright. Want to fly with your pet turtle? Think again. Three young girls trying to bring home a 2-inch pet turtle in a cage were told they had to get off the plane and leave the turtle behind. When airline personnel refused to look after the pet until someone could retrieve it, the girls threw the turtle in the trash. Fortunately, the story has a happy ending.

* Check out these photos from Desire to Inspire: Pets on furniture. Could you think of a better combination?

....except maybe Kids and Dogs from Huffington Post. Your daily dose of sugar!

*I really liked this blog post from Bark: Confessions of a Dog Trainer.
How To Ruin a Perfectly Good Dog:
1. Get a Dog
2. Bring it Home
3. Buy an enormous bag of inexpensive dog food from the grocery store
4. Yell at the dog for begging at the table. Give it a piece of spaghetti to make it go away.
5. Read the rest of the list from

What about you? Will you take your pet with you when you travel this summer? And, do you have some great suggestions to add to the list "How to Ruin a Perfectly Good Dog?"

Great Pet Travel Sites Make Vacations Easy

Summer is here and it's time to travel. Why leave Buster behind? It's not always easy to figure out the logistics of traveling with your pet, but here are some websites with all the information you need!

1. Go Pet Friendly
I can't imagine any site with more helpful information. From a Road Trip Planner to campground listings to pet friendly hotels and pet friendly cities, it's all here! And don't forget Take Paws, the Go Pet Friendly blog.

2. PetTravel.com
Includes tips on air travel and instructions for traveling to over 190 countries worldwide.

3. Dog cars
Want to know which model cars have the best features for traveling with dogs? Vehicle reviews here!

4. Pet hotels
Need to find a place to stay that allows pets? Find out which ones go above and beyond in pet friendliness.

5. Delta, Southwest, United
Find the pet policies for different airlines.

6. Pet Airways
Consider this airline just for pets.

6. Amtrak
Thinking of traveling by train? Does Amtrak allow dogs other than service dogs? (Answer: No)

Pet Friendly Businesses and Fun Destinations

By Anna Lee

Thinking of going to the beach? Taking a day trip or mini vacation? If you’re wondering what to do with your dog, you will be pleased to know there are many businesses, parks, restaurants, and beaches that welcome your four-legged friend. More and more locations are jumping on the bandwagon too. I guess dog and cat lovers are finally making their wants and needs known, and businesses are listening. Thank you!

Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County, Florida

A vacation at the beach sounds good to me. Being able to find a place to let my dog Abby run free would make it that much better. Fort De Soto Park is one of six ‘Paw Playgrounds’ in Pinellas County that are dog friendly. Fort De Soto is a 2 acre fenced park that has 200 yards of soft white sand for your dog to run and play on. Pack yourself a picnic lunch and bring along some CANIDAE Snap-Biscuit® treats for the dog, and enjoy a fun day at the beach! What could be better than that? For more information, including maps and a virtual tour of the dog park check out their website.

Nashville, TN

Traveling to Nashville soon and taking the family dog with you? You won’t be alone. Nashville is going to the dogs, and they don’t have to be country music fans – but it helps! Nashville has a fantastic dog friendly park system, with three dog parks that are open from dawn to dusk. Check out the Nashville Dog Parks by logging onto their website. The site offers lots of information on hours of operation and what they expect from their visitors.

There are also several Nashville restaurants that allow pets to dine with their owners at outside tables. You must realize that Fido can only join you at the outdoor tables, no dogs allowed inside the restaurants. Check out: 12 South Tap Room, Jackson’s Bar and Bistro and Calypso Café at this website.

Don’t hold back on a hotel – book the Lowe’s Vanderbilt Hotel which is not only dog and cat friendly, but offers doggie and kitty room service, plus gifts for your pet! They also have pet sitting and pet walking services available. It is quite an impressive hotel, and the fact that it’s pet friendly is even more impressive to me. Check out their website and decide if you and your pet would like to vacation in the lap of luxury. Photos of the hotel and information on their other amenities can be found here.

Lowe’s also has a pet friendly hotel at their Cornado Bay, CA location where your dog can learn to surf. A night’s lodging and surfing lessons is expensive. At $449 a night they won’t be seeing Abby and me any time in the future!

America’s Favorite Past Time - Baseball

Did you know you can take your dog to the ball field with you, on a specific pet friendly day that is! This event started in 1996 when the White Sox offered the fist “Dog Day” and was an instant success. Some of the festivities include parades, various competitions, vendors with products and services, and many of these events are fundraisers for animal related organizations. The thrill of the day is being able to have you dog sit with you in a special dog section and watch the game! Just a few examples: the Atlanta Braves have “Bark in the Park,” the St. Louis Cardinals have “Pooches in the Ballpark” and the San Francisco Giants have “Dog Days of Summer.” Check with your baseball team’s particular website to find out more about these special dog days.

Vacations no longer mean leaving the dog or cat at home. Doors are opening and it makes me smile to think I could take Abby to a great beach in Florida and a fantastic park in Nashville, or enjoy a ballgame together. What a life!

Read more articles by Anna Lee

Pet Airways: the First Airline for Four-Legged Fliers

By Anna Lee

The husband and wife team of Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel’s inspiration to start an airline exclusively for pets came from their own Jack Russell Terrier. She couldn’t fit under the seat in front of them as her carrier was just a tad too big. Zoe, like many other dogs, would have to travel in the cargo hold. This was not a satisfactory solution to them as Zoe is not cargo, she’s their pet. Plus, traveling in the cargo hold can be a dangerous and frightening experience for pets. So Alysa and Dan came up with a solution: their own airline.

On a ‘Pet Airways’ flight, dogs and cats travel in a climate controlled cabin. The aircraft are modified Beech 1900s. The seats and overhead bins have been removed and replaced with crates. Each plane holds approximately 50 pet carriers of different sizes that are secured with Pet Airways “proprietary restraint system.” Your pet is not just shoved inside an airliner and forgotten about. Pets get top flight, first class attention.

The airline currently serves five cities: Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York and Washington D.C. The owners plan is to expand to 20 additional cities over the next couple of years. Fares are calculated on the size of the carrier required for your pet and the travel time involved, and range from $149 to $299 one way. These flights are in and out of smaller, regional airports.

Your pet can fly on Pet Airways, but you can’t. You will have to take a regular plane ride and expect your dog or cat to take much longer due to the type of planes and the stops they have to make. Your pet’s flight and your flight would be in and out of two different airports, which adds some inconvenience to your schedule.

According to their website, pets are never left unattended, and are taken care of by trained professionals. You drop your pet off in a special lounge area 2 hours prior to departure, although special arrangements can be made if you need to drop the pet off earlier. Pets are put onboard the plane and checked to make sure they are safe and secure. Professionals monitor the pets every 15 minutes. When they arrive at the destination they are given a final potty break and you pick your pet up in the specified lounge area. If you cannot pick up your pet after the flight arrives, arrangements can be made for an overnight stay at a PAWS lodge.

This brand new airline is getting mixed reviews since its initial flight in early July. We all have the right to make our own decisions and choices in life for ourselves and our pets. Pet Airways is not for everyone. Some people love it and some don’t. I personally don’t fly, and I have no reason to fly. My travel is always in a vehicle, where Abby is right in the back of the SUV with us.

With Pet Airways, you do have to turn your pet over to strangers for many hours. Not all cats or dogs would do well under those circumstances due to health reasons. Pet owners must fly on a different, traditional flight. As stated earlier, Pet Airways is rather expensive and the flights are long. If you are considering this service you may want to check with your veterinarian for a professional opinion.

It’s up to you, the responsible pet owner, to decide if Pet Airways is right for you or not. It is an option that is available in a world that is constantly changing and growing. Do your own research, ask for references and explore the option. If you decide it is a service you would like to try, you can get more information on flights, schedules and prices, and make reservations at their website, www.petairways.com.

Read more articles by Anna Lee

Dog Park PET’iquette

In the event you missed it, dog parks are growing in popularity. As the recent housing crisis pushes many into smaller homes or apartments, it’s important to ensure that your pets get plenty of exercise. So, for those who are new to the experience, how can you get the most from your daily visits? Here are a few initial tips for you. 

Visit the Dog Park Without Your Dog

Every dog park has it’s own flow and personality, developed largely by those who have been showing up twice a day for the last year. Before you bring your laid-back but very scary looking large breed down for a day of play, be sure you understand the ebb and flow of the park. If you don’t see a larger-breed of dog there, talk to the caretakers and ask their feelings on the subject. This is a great opportunity for educating others on the benefits of allowing their smaller-breed dogs to interact with a larger breed.  Get a feel for the environment and the pack. If you want to play in the pack, you have to make sure it’s a good pack for you. 

Abide by the Rules

Every dog park has different rules (for humans and canines). Familiarize yourself with these rules and follow them. No one likes a person who shows up with a dog off-leash, or showing up without plastic bags to clean up after their pets. If your pet exhibits bad behavior, correct it. Don’t ignore it. 

Never Leave Your Pet

That should go without saying, but unfortunately, some people think that a dog park is their answer to “pup-sitting”. Never leave your pet unattended, not even to use the restroom. A lot can happen in four minutes and whether it’s your dog or another causing an issue, you had better be around to remedy the situation. 

Don’t Be Annoying with Treats

Really, you shouldn’t feed your own at a park either. You never know when another dog will become food-aggressive, or just plain jealous. This includes treats and snacks. Dogs can experience a lot of emotion (and related bad manners) when it comes to food.  Training should have already been done at home, and if you’re there to reinforce the training, go ahead and give Fido a quick treat, but do it quickly and without a big deal.

Be Sociable, Don’t be an Expert

Yes. We understand that you know more about the global history of your Chihuahua than anyone else in the world. We don’t necessarily want to hear it. Sure, you can brag about your dog, as long as you give us equal brag time.  You can be an expert if someone asks, but don’t bring it up if up if we’re talking about our day at work. 

Know When to Leave

When your dog starts showing aggression against someone or another dog, it’s time to walk away. If you sense an argument festering in the fenced area, it’s time to leave. Every animal, like every human, has their own tolerance level and it varies daily. Don’t fall victim to the desire to wear your pup out at the cost of being exiled.

Additional Resources

Find a dog park in your area!

Map of US dog parks

photo credit: Copyright PetsWeekly, 2005

Stacy Mantle

Doggie Daycare

If your dog is a nervous wreck when you get home from work, it might be time to look into some alternative arrangements during the day. 

Luckily we have Doggie Daycare available! 

I know you’re asking yourself, why am I paying for my dog to go to daycare? The interesting thing is that we’re asking, “Why wouldn’t you?”

The most important reason is that if you are even half as busy as we are, you know that coming home to an unexercised, hyperactive pet is not necessarily a good thing. So tell me what you prefer after a long, hard day at work and hours of fighting traffic: a Jack Russell terrier trying to take you down by hopping all over you, or a happy, tired lap-dog who wants to go to sleep as much as you do? 

If the answer is a happy, tired lap dog that wants to sleep, then doggie daycare may be the answer for you. 

A good daycare will let you know how your pet is doing each day socially, physically and emotionally. If your dog is not ready for group play, daycare can keep them exercised and mentally stimulated during their stay. Your dog will get plenty of exercise and have the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. As a result, you will have a much happier and fit pet!

The costs for doggie daycare range so dramatically, I’m not even going to bother to list it here. Much of the cost will depend on where you’re located, your drop-off and pick-up times, and the quality of the facility. 

You want to ensure that the facility is clean, that the staff is highly qualified and that they are insured as a business. The location should be clean, free of any parasites and all pets should be current on their vaccinations. Be sure they feed high-quality snacks, such as CANIDAE Lamb and Rice Snap-Bits.

Take a look in your area to find a place that does doggie daycare. Even if you only take Fido a couple of days a week, we think you’ll be impressed with the benefits a pack can bestow on your pets.

photo credit: Copyright PetsWeekly, 2008

Stacy Mantle

How to Find A Great Pet Boarding Facility

If you’re planning on leaving town and have less than three pets that you can’t really take along with you – a dog resort may be right up your alley. Today we’re going to be looking at Tailwinds Pet Resort in Phoenix, Arizona to give you an idea of what we look for in a pet resort. 

Comfort & Cleanliness

First and foremost, we like clean, comfortable locations that have lots of places to run. Spacious kennels for freedom of movement, and a clean facility to ensure my pet doesn’t come home with any type of parasite (our personal worst nightmare). When you do a walk-thru of the pet resort, take a close look at your surroundings.

• Does the facility smell badly? Remember, it’s filled with animals, so keep the smell thing relative.
  
• Do the animals appear clean, happy and alert? You can tell what an unhappy dog looks like.
  
• Do you notice any bugs? If you see bugs, ticks or fleas on the floor or worse, on the animals, make a run for the door and don’t look back.
  
• What types of cleaners are used? Try to stay with facilities that use all-natural cleaners, but understand that with a lot of animals in their care, it may not always be possible to do that.

Experience

Tailwinds Pet Resort is a relatively new boarding facility run by two women who love pets as much as we do, and they are meticulous. Between the two partners, they have nearly fifty years of experience in the industry and that comes out to a lot of quality care. Some of the questions you want to ask are:

• What kind of experience does your resort have? It should be extensive. 
  
• Are they hiring minimum wage workers to care for your pet or are they paying their workers well? A well-paid employee is a happy employee. 
  
• How involved are the owners? They should be an active part of the business.

Safety

The safety of your pet is of utmost importance. Ensure that no escape from the resort is possible and ask what types of precautions they have built in to the facility. Identify any possible risks that you can see and ask your tour guide about them. Find out if a veterinarian is on-call for the resort and who that vet is. Discuss what the procedure is in the event of a fire or other danger. Ensure that they require documentation that your pet is current on vaccinations, because if they’re asking you, they are asking all of their clients. Most importantly, try to work only with resorts that keep staff on the premises 24-hours a day.

Feeding

The optimal situation for a pet resort is the ability to bring your own food in with your pet. TailWinds house food is organic CANIDAE, All Natural, Human Grade, Holistic Pet to all of their guests and this is a high-quality food that is recommended across the board. If you’re not bringing your own food in, ensure that your resort feeds something as high-quality as CANIDAE. 

This is a brief look at what you need to look for in a pet boarding facility. Of course, cost of stay, activities for pets, interaction between pets and people, and playtime with other pets should also be addressed, but seeing as how we’re out of space on this blog, we’ll be covering that in an upcoming article.

Photo Credit: Copyright TailWinds, 2008

Stacy Mantle

Pet Sitting: What You Need to Know

Heading out of town for a weeklong retreat? If you have pets, you know it’s not that easy to just leave town. This week, we’ll be exploring a few options for you and your pets. That is, if you’re not planning to take them along. (If you’re planning on your pet accompanying you, then check out our posts on vacations for you and your pets from last week.)

The first option you have is letting Fido and Fluffy stay in the comfort of their own home where they know the routine and are comfortable.  If you have more than two or three pets, this is probably the best scenario for you. A pet sitter offers more than just caring for your pets.  They will pick up your paper, keep a daily log so you know what happened each day and what they did while there, care for fish and other small pets, pick up your mail each day, and be available for a consult while you’re out of town. They should be equipped (and empowered) to handle any emergencies that come up and most importantly; they will be trustworthy and reliable. Here are a few steps to doing that when finding and using a pet sitter.

Focus on Experience

When you’re searching out a pet sitter, it’s important to use personal recommendations before you bring anyone inside of your home. Chances are good that someone you know has used a pet sitter. If they liked them and trusted them, give them the first shot.  If you don’t have friends with pets, start with the big businesses. Visit Pet Sitters International  (PSI) on your first stop. This organization has a ton of resources for the pet owners of the world and all of their members are licensed, bonded and trusted.

Big is Not Necessarily Better

You may want to give a smaller company a try. Often the large companies can be caught up in the paperwork and the sitter is working as a self-employed person anyway. The one advantage that larger companies can offer is backup, but that’s only if the sitter actually calls for it. Many experienced pet sitters go out on their own in the realization they can often make more money that way.  These are the sitters you want to keep around. Find one you like and use them whenever you leave.

Meet Your Sitter Before Leaving

Just because you like the new sitter doesn’t mean your pet will. Be sure that the sitter comes to your home for a consult. Have them meet your pets, show them where things are, and identify the best way to approach an animal. Pets change when you leave and they will not react to a stranger when they are alone with them the same way they will when you’re in the house. Leave the sitter alone with them for a few minutes. See how the sitter and your pet react upon your return. That will tell you a lot about your new sitter!

Before You Leave:

• Ensure that your pets' food is well-stocked. 
  
• Leave a detailed schedule of what is expected. (Free PDF file from PetsWeekly)
  
• Sign a Veterinary Care Release form and leave with sitter.
  
• Leave a contact list in the event of emergency.
  

photo credit: Copyright PetsWeekly, 2005

Stacy Mantle

For "Landlubber Pets and Caretakers"

Welcome to day two of our look at luxurious travel with pets. Today we set forth from the ocean to the woods for a weekend at a swanky resort for you and your pets. If you’re looking to stay on land, you’ll love today’s pet travel trends. AAA currently lists over 13,000 lodging options in its 2008 pet traveling guide.

With services that range from in-room doggy (and people) massages at the FireSky Kimpton resort in Phoenix, Arizona to a gourmet room-service menu at the Wyndham Orange County resort, your pet is sure to love this new trend as much as we do.

And Fido can even feast on Zen Yo, a hearty vegetable stir-fry that’s designed to help pets adjust to jet lag, at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix. If you prefer a more humid environment, they can enjoy a liver pâté and braised New Zealand lamb served on a bed of rice at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa.

But you may be a bit more organic-minded. If that’s the case, your pets can enjoy a Buddy Burger hamburger with cheese (or without if Fluffy is lactose intolerant) at the Los Angeles’ Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

While you’re in the spa, your pets can work off those gourmet meals with planned exercise activities such as swimming, hiking or even a day at their own pet spa, which may not contribute to fewer calories, but will do wonders for their beautiful fur coats.

Most hotels are now offering five-star service that includes bottled water, specialty menus, in-room pet services, and even turndown service for you and your pets. Whether you’re traveling with your dog, cat, reptile or even something as unusual as a llama, there is likely a destination resort that will not only host you and your pet, but offer you the services you both deserve.

For a list of the Top Ten Pet Resorts, visit the Cat Channel.

Stacy Mantle

Sailing the Seas with Pets

Think that traveling with your pets isn’t possible? Think again. This week, we’re taking a look at some of the top luxury journeys that you can take with your furry family members. According to the latest National Pet Owners Survey taken by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63% of U.S. households, or 71.1 million homes, own a pet, and nearly 19% of dog owners and 3% of cat owners take their pet with them when traveling for at least two nights. That’s by land.

But, what to do if you didn’t have a land destination in mind? Not to worry. We’ve got you covered.

You may want to consider embarking on a transcontinental cruise aboard a luxury ocean liner. The Queen Mary 2 is a pet-friendly seagoing vessel where your pets are sure to get their sea legs. With fresh-baked biscuits at turndown and indoor or outdoor walking areas, your pets are sure to love the calming effects of the sea.

Cunard, owners of the Queen Mary 2, are proud to welcome pets on board with their “Pets on Deck” program. Fido and Fluffy can choose from a selection of pet beds comfortable enough to host any pet, and they will receive a complimentary gift pack that features a coat, Frisbee, name tag, food dish and scoop, a portrait with their owners, a “crossing” certificate, and a personalized cruise card.

The Kennel program on Deck 12 may seem unusual to most travelers, but for those who regularly travel with their four-legged family members, it’s a sight to behold. According to Cunard, “guests may visit their pets during specified hours and my even take them for – ahem – ‘walks’ in specified areas of the deck.”

Kennel managers, whose qualifications are more than worthy of our seagoing friends, oversee the unique program.

Luxurious travel with pets is possible! Board the Queen Mary 2 with your furry friends, as all are welcome. Fees range from $300 (U.S.) to $500 (U.S.) per cruise. Call Cunard to pre-arrange an ample supply of your favorite pet food. They happily accommodate special requests.

Stacy Mantle

Flying High with Pets

From sea to land to air, we are looking at the best ways to travel with your pets this week. Today is a spotlight on JetBlue Airlines and their “JetPaws” program designed specifically for high-flyin’ pets. They even offer pets who sign up for the free program a specialized list of p’etiquette tips, a pet travel guide, and when they are ready to board their flight, a new bag tag that lets everyone know your pet is fully content to board that flight!

All parts of their planes are fully pressurized and temperature controlled to ensure that your pets receive the best care and are purr-fectly safe while in-flight.

If you really want to fit in with the JetBlue crowd, pick up a new custom collar from the airline’s custom design, a specialty pet travel kit, or maybe even a stylish pet carrier that offers the ultimate luxury for jet-setting canines and felines. All are available from JetBlue’s line of custom pet products.

Another favorite of ours is the Midwest Air Premier Pet Program. Earn frequent flyer points for your pets as they accompany you to your next vacation spot. They’ve even teamed up with Drs. Foster & Smith to offer you some luxury deals on all of your pet travel needs. Whether you choose their “In-Cabin” or “Below cabin” specials, your pets are sure to experience the same luxury service as they have all become accustomed too.

No matter what your dream vacation is, there is a luxury destination out there that will host both you and your pets in the way you’ve become accustomed.

Stacy Mantle