Fido in Fiji and Hairballs in the Hamptons

April 5, 2011 - PRLog -- Summer travel season is approaching and a recent survey reveals that consumers plan to spend the same or more on travel this year as they did in 2010. According to Travel Leaders, one of America’s top-ranked travel companies, more than 88 percent of us will equal or increase last year’s travel budget. With 62 percent of households owning one or more pets, “What shall we do with the cat and dog?” is now a common question on the checklist of many travelers. Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, offers these tips to help pet owners consider the family pets in their travel planning.

Carefully consider if your pets should stay or go
According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 14 percent of all U.S. adults (29.1 million) say they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more. If you are thinking about traveling with the family pet, closely consider your travel plans, lodging accommodations and trip agenda. If you are traveling in a personal vehicle, taking your pet has fewer implications, but be sure to verify that your hotel, resort or campground is pet friendly.

If your lodging accommodations allow pets, there’s more involved than just checking your furry family member in at the front desk. Hotels impose restrictions that can include the size and number of pets, expensive non-refundable pet fees and rules against pets being left unattended in hotel rooms. Be sure to confirm all pet restrictions before making reservations. Also ensure that the tourist attractions, amusement parks and restaurants you plan to visit are pet friendly. If not, you will need to make special arrangements for your pet.

Consider your pet’s health. Has your pet had a recent veterinary check-up? Does your pet’s age or physical condition make him an ideal candidate for travel? If not, consider finding care for your pet at home while you travel.

If Fido’s flying, plan ahead!
Keep in mind that buses, trains and cruise ships do not typically allow pets. Most airlines allow pets to travel in the cabin or as cargo. The ASPCA recommends that pet owners not fly their animals unless the pets are small enough to fit under the passenger seats. If you’ve already committed to transporting your pet on a commercial airline, the ASPCA offers a list of helpful tips for safe air travel with your pet.

If the pets don’t go, hire a pro.
The process of locating a quality caregiver for companion animals may seem daunting. PSI provides an Official Pet Sitter Locator, a ZIP code-driven search tool that enables pet owners to conduct criteria-based searches of nearly 7,500 professional pet-sitting businesses. VIsit http://www.petsit.com/locate to download a Pet Sitter Questionnaire and search the database for custom-tailored services ranging from daily dog walks to caring for pets with special needs. And pet owners can refine searches even further by specifying credentials such as bonding, liability insurance and pet first-aid training.

"There is no substitute for using the services of a pet-sitting professional," says Patti Moran, PSI president. "Friends, family and neighbors are not always the best solution for ensuring your pets are cared for while you're away, even for shorter weekend trips."

In addition to caring for pets, professional pet sitters can also provide basic home-care services, such as bringing in the mail and alternating lights to give your home a lived-in look.

For pet owners traveling with their pets, a professional pet sitter can be a valuable resource for pet-care while visiting attractions or restaurants that are not pet friendly.

Whether Fido and Fluffy accompany you on the trip or stay in their home environment under the care of a professional pet sitter, planning ahead can ensure their safety, comfort and contentment. For more information on the advantages of hiring a professional pet sitter or to locate a professional pet sitter in your community, visit http://www.petsit.com.

# # #

About Pet Sitters International
Established in 1994, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing nearly 7,500 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. PSI provides members with access to affordable bonding and liability insurance and educational resources including a comprehensive Certification Program, Pet Sitter’s WORLD magazine, The Scoop e-news and PSI’s annual Quest convention. For more information, visit www.petsit.com, home of the Official Pet Sitter Locator™ or sign up to receive the Pet Care News. Visit the PSIStoreOnline, the largest specialty retailer of products for pet sitters and pet-sitting business owners.