We’re all going on a summer holiday
Monday, June 01 2009
Summer spent in the kennels isn’t much
of a holiday for man’s best friend. This
year, follow our tips and take your dog
with you for double the fun.
The delicious thought of a sunny summer holiday naturally brings a smile to the face. We see holidays in the sun as an enjoyable time to kick back, relax and treat ourselves. At this time, thousands of dogs throughout the UK spend a few weeks in the unfamiliar surrounds of kennels or with friends of the family. Before booking your canine companion into the kennels this summer, stop and consider a holiday spent with your dog. Holidaying with dogs is not only easy, it’s also fun, rewarding and beneficial for you and your pet.
Julie Bedford, head of animal behaviour at The Blue Cross, takes her two border collies on holiday with her every summer: “It’s great fun preparing for our summer holiday. As soon as the dogs see me loading the campervan, they get so excited. They know what’s around the corner.” Julie strongly believes that holidaying together benefits both her and her dogs. She says: “I know how refreshing it is for the dogs to discover new sights, sounds and smells. They have grins from ear to ear the whole holiday. What’s more, they provide me and my friends with so much enjoyment, it’s so lovely seeing how happy they are. It’s fun and a great excuse to have an active holiday in the outdoors.”
There are dog-friendly holiday options aplenty, so planning a summer holiday with your dog doesn’t have to be difficult. There are holiday cottages, camping grounds, even hotels, apartments and bed and breakfasts that welcome dogs. Some service stations offer dog walks, many train services are happy to have dogs aboard, and several parks, forests and beaches encourage people to bring dogs along.
Where to stay
Cottages4you has more than 15,000 properties throughout the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and Italy, many of which are pet friendly. The Blue Cross has teamed up with Cottages4you, so you can book these pet-friendly cottages on www.bluecross.org.uk/cottages, and ten per cent of every booking you make will be donated to animals in our care.
Another option is to purchase a tent. You’ll have the freedom of a mobile home and you’ll also find a multitude of campgrounds in the UK that welcome dogs.
When looking for accommodation options, plan your holiday well in advanceand make sure the accommodation really is pet friendly. Are pets allowed in all the rooms? Is the outside area secure and does it have shade? And will there be somewhere you can buy your pet their usual food? To find dog-friendly accommodation, visit www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk.
Travelling with your dog
When holidaying with your dog, it’s likely you’ll have to take some sort of transport, whether it’s car, train or plane. Most national train services welcome pets onboard, providing they are kept on a lead or in a basket. Low-cost airlines generally avoid transportation of animals. However, if you look around, many carriers do willingly take pets. Travelling by plane can be a stressful experience for animals, so before taking your dog on a plane, ask your vet for advice. And remember, if you’re travelling abroad, you may have to comply with pet passport and quarantine regulations. When transporting your dog by car, here are a few pointers to think about:
• Safety is important. If possible, transport your dog in a secured cage • If the dog has to travel loose, either secure the dog on the back seat with a purpose-made seatbelt or harness, or behind a fitted dog guard. Remember, your dog should be able to stand up, sit and lie down in comfort • Never transport your dog loose in the front footwell or in the boot • On a long journey, stop often and offer your dog water or a chance to exercise • Feed your dog as far in advance of travel as possible. Alternatively, wait until you arrive at your destination.
Hot dogs
We all feel the effects of the sun during summer. When taking your dog on holiday, ensure that you never leave them shut in a car or caravan. It only takes minutes for a dog to die of heatstroke. If your dog has a white coat, apply sunblock to their ears and nose. Give them shade whenever possible and provide them with plenty of fresh water especially if at the beach.
Maybe next time…
If you’re travelling too far, or have a holiday booked this summer that won’t be suitable for your dog, your pet may be required to go into kennels. Here are a few suggestions to consider when choosing kennels: • Get a personal recommendation • Drop in and ask to look around • Check with the local council that the kennel is licensed • Book early as the best places book up well in advance • Check that dogs can’t touch each other through their runs • Ask about insurance cover in case of a veterinary emergency • Make sure there are sufficient staff for the number of animals • Check the living area is warm, secure, clean and dry
A good kennel will insist on up-to-date proof of vaccinations and will ask for full information about your pet, including diet. For information and advice on holidaying with other pets, visit our online community,
www.allaboutpets.org.uk.