By CHRISTINE LYNCH
It’s a fine time to be a pet. Not so long ago, pets weren’t as doted upon as they now are. The forced isolation brought on by the pandemic brought about a big uptick in pet ownership, and even before that, the pet industry was profiting in the billions with new products and services. Businesses increasingly recognize the lucrative side of being pet-friendly, making it easier to travel with your pets and to locate hotels or restaurants that allow well-behaved animals to join their humans.
Pets come in many varieties, but this article will concentrate on vacationing with dogs (and cats). However, some of the information may be helpful to owners of other species.
When you have an opportunity to take a trip with your furry buddies, ask yourself whether your pets will enjoy the experience, or are you just taking them along because you feel guilty leaving them. There are pets who prefer staying in their own surroundings, enjoying a quiet house for a few days. Once you decide your pet will like a trip, it’s a good idea to consult your veterinarian to make certain your pet’s shots and papers are up to date. Get a copy of the medical record and a certificate of health.
With a little pre-planning you can smooth the way to an enjoyable vacation. Get on your internet device and begin searching. For instance, typing “Pet-Friendly Vacationing” brings up a load of informational sites. Some trusted websites include BringFido.com; GoPetFriendly.com; PetFriendlyTravel.com; Be.Chewy.com; and CapeBeachDog.com. They highlight pet-friendly places to stay, eateries that allow pets, places of interest you can enjoy together and important tips.
Another thing to consider before you leave on the trip is whether you’ll need a short-term pet sitter for those times that you want to be apart from your pets during the trip. Some hotels provide a pet-sitting service, so if that is something you require, ask about it. If your hotel doesn’t have that service or if you’re in a rental unit, you can seek out a local sitter. On-Cape, one highly rated pet sitting business is Upper Cape Pet Services (UCPS). Owner Lisa Hart said, “Yes, we often help vacationers who bring their family pet. If they want to jaunt over to the Vineyard or Nantucket and leave their dog behind at their rental home, we will service them there.”
UCPS continues to add new services, including a “state-of-the-art grooming facility” and soon, a cat resort. For information, its website is uppercapepet.com and it is also on Facebook & Instagram.
How are you traveling?
First decide on the mode of transportation you’ll use. Driving generally gives you more control. Choose a route that lets you stop frequently for water breaks and leash walks or litter box time. As for buses, trains or airplanes, always talk with a representative before you purchase tickets and inquire about regulations and whether your pet will be allowed to travel comfortably. If you do plan to buy tickets, book early so that limited pet spaces aren’t already filled. A helpful site for this is GoPetFriendly.com.
For an extended car trip, it’s smart to secure your pet either in a cage or a seatbelt harness. If you’re taking a cat, keep him in a cage lined with puppy pads. Be sure to stop regularly for water/food breaks and for a relief stop.
A few decades back, my husband and I moved across country with both our Irish setter and cat. The trip went better than we expected. More frequent stops helped us clear our minds and stretch our legs while our dog Brandy enjoyed her walks with us. For our cat Gretel, we brought a small litter box. I would add litter as needed. When she was done, I’d bag the litter securely and toss it in a nearby garbage bin, then rinse out the box in a restroom. Back in the car, both pets chilled on their blankets with favorite toys nearby.
If considering traveling by train, the Amtrak website states that small pets, weighing no more than 20 pounds including the cage, are welcomed on board. If your pet qualifies, the pet ticket costs $26. See Amtrak.com for details.
Airlines also welcome pets and now are treating them a bit kindlier than a few years back. Rather than placing them underneath in storage with other checked luggage, caged pets can ride in the cabin. Each airline has specific rules, so get all the current info to meet the requirements.
For visitors to the islands, the Steamship Authority welcomes leashed or caged pets on their ferries.
Lodgings
Where do you plan to stay? With relatives or friends? In a hotel or in a short-term rental? Now more than ever, it is best to make arrangements ahead of time to avoid hassles and to be certain your pets will be treated well. Also, find out about any extra fees or requirements. Before you make reservations or book anything, be sure to check with someone in charge to see if their pet policies have changed.
Still, you might find yourself in need of accommodations on the fly. Once on an unexpected road trip, my daughter and I had to locate lodging for that evening in an area we didn’t know. My daughter searched online using the nearby town and put “pet friendly” in the search. In no time, she set up our reservation in a nice hotel that welcomed her dog, Tessie. The front desk had doggie treats on hand and provided a pet-safe area for outdoor exercise after a long day in the car.
A short list of Cape places to stay includes, the Dan’l Webster Inn and Spa in Sandwich, The Red Jacket Resorts in South Yarmouth, and the Harbor Hotel in Provincetown. In Falmouth, the owners of The Palmer House Inn with their special canine concierge Brody, a handsome Leonberger, welcomes pets and offers suggestions on places to see, things to do, and restaurants that like pets, too.
When your trip is arranged, you can pack your pet’s belongings and yours. Fido or Fluffy will need the up-to-date vet’s documents, food, water bowls, collar, leash, cage, bedding, toys, litter box with litter and scoop and, of course, any medications.
Exploring Together
Once you get settled, you can head out for a little R&R together. Naturally, when visiting the Cape and Islands, the beach is a popular destination. Beaches are always open for humans, but dogs aren’t always welcomed on all beaches year-round. On the Cape some towns only allow dogs to be on a beach during the off-season. For example, Falmouth beaches allow dogs only during October through March. Current information is posted on each town’s website. Check local chat groups for up-to-the-minute advice.
This region also has a wealth of top-notch walking trails. Dog walkers using these trails should expect to keep their pets on leash at all times of the year. Take precautions for ticks and mosquitoes. The Cape Cod Canal has a fabulous (and flat) walking path alongside. On the north side of the canal, it runs 7 miles and the south side is 6.5 miles long. The Shining Sea Bikeway runs for over 10 miles from Woods Hole up to North Falmouth, and Mashpee maintains some incredible areas for hiking with your pet. The town has set aside miles of woodland and shoreline trails. South Cape Beach is a particularly lovely spot, although dogs must stay only on the wooded trails, not the beach area.
Many Cape towns, including Barnstable, Dennis, Falmouth, Provincetown, and Yarmouth, now have dog parks so that pooches can let off some energy. Mashpee has a dog park, but it is strictly for Mashpee residents. Again, all visiting guidelines, hours, directions, et cetera, are posted in the town’s websites or by searching for “Dog Parks on the Cape.”
Should you want to experience a whale watch, Sea Salt Charters out of Provincetown opens May 20 for this season. They take private groups out and welcome dogs aboard, as recommended by BringFido.com. Life jackets are provided for all humans, but not for your pooch. It is a good idea to bring one with you. One thing to consider for the three-plus hours at sea is to encourage dogs to do their business prior to boarding
Eateries and More
Although many eateries still only allow service animals, this country is becoming more accepting of pets going out to eat with their owners. You’ll want to check ahead before setting your sights on a restaurant, brewery or winery.
These are some ideas to point you in the right direction. Doing your own research and trip planning will help you find more fun places, so you and your pets can have a memorable trip together.