Pet travel trends revealed
Travel blog Gadling.com reports that pet owners in the U.S. are expected to spend $47.4 billion dollars on their pets this year, with much of that money being spent on vacations with their furry, and sometimes feathered, companions.
The blog cites data from the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) that found the majority of people who travel with animals (78 percent) bring their dogs along. This is compared to 15 percent who bring cats, 3 percent who bring birds and 2 percent who bring other pets like fish and reptiles.
While the majority of travelling pets (76 percent) travel by car, the TIA found that 10 percent travel in RVs.
About 32 percent of people who vacation with their animals stay at a friend or relative's house, and 29 percent stay in animal-friendly hotels. The TIA reports that 16 percent of those they surveyed stay in an RV or tent with their pets.
Many campgrounds welcome animals and pet owners are advised to inquire about the animal policy before arriving.
A simple web search, using sites like PetsWelcome.com, DogFriendly.com or TravelPets.com can help travelers find pet-friendly locations throughout the nation.
