If you, like millions of Australians, like to occasionally leave work or school behind and enjoy a relaxing holiday, you’ve probably wondered: “… but what do I do about the pets?”.

Driving Holidays with your Pet

These days many holiday venues will happily allow you to bring your pet along – a move that has been welcomed by many loving pet owners and their four-legged charges. These venues tend to be Bed and Breakfasts, self-contained cottages or apartments. They are likely to be located outside of the capital cities and ideal for a driving holiday.

In fact, pet friendly holidaying is becoming a very popular travel alternative. You’ll save on boarding costs and enjoy a holiday with all members of your family. Many even allow you to have your pet inside with you, if this is the arrangement that you have at home.

There are some wonderful resources that make the task of finding a pet friendly holiday venue as easy as possible, and these days the Internet means that you can even picture the venue before you get there. Select a few venues that appeal then contact each one to see what they mean by pet friendly. Once you have found a suitable holiday venue try to book ahead - quality venues often find themselves booked up weeks, even months in advance.

If you plan to hire a car for the journey, many rental car companies will allow you to take your pet. You can protect the seats with a blanket or purpose built commercial product. The general rule is that you must return the car in the condition you found it, or cover the costs of cleaning or even dry cleaning.

Preparing for a pet friendly holiday

Because you're taking your pet with you there are a few extra considerations:

• Most venues will require you to bring your pets food and water bowls, and bedding Make sure that your pet is restrained in a crate or quality car harness. This is for the safety of your pet, your passengers and yourself. Protection for your upholstery is a wise move

• Pack plenty of food for your pet, especially if your chosen holiday venue is in a remote location - a supermarket can be quite a drive away

• Make sure your pet is collared, with current registration and contact information. If you have a mobile telephone it can be very useful to have this on the tag itself. I mean, what's the point of having only your home number listed if you won't be there?

• There will usually be plenty of opportunity to have your dog off-leash, however do not take this as a rule. Make sure you have your leash with you at all times. You may not need it, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

• Just like us, some pets simply do not travel well. They can become car sick, or even distressed. If this may be the case, speak to your vet about car sickness medications

• Most venues will provide you with a brochure and map, so make sure this is kept within easy reach

• It is wise, and often required to have your pet wormed and flea-treated. If there are likely to be ticks in the area, make sure to take preventative measures and have a tick removal tool handy at all times

• Finally, if your dog likes a swim, throw a few doggy towels in the back of the car.

At last it’s holiday time: the car is packed and it's time to hit the road. You're taking your pet, so there are a few things to think about. Most are simply common sense:

• Pets and hot cars don't mix! Too many pets die each year because they are locked in hot cars, even in winter! The solution is so simple: try not to ever leave your pet in the car by itself, but if you have to, make sure to park in the shade, leave the windows open a little for fresh air, and keep it brief

• Remember - being able to bring your pet along is a privilege, not a right! If you wish to be welcomed back a second time, and encourage the venue to remain pet-friendly, make sure to follow the rules. They're usually pretty simple: if you are able to have your pet inside, this usually means keeping your pets off the furnishings (including beds). Many venues will also require that you collect and dispose of droppings prior to departure.

• Finally, if there are other animals on the property, such as horses, sheep or cattle, your dog will need to be under strict voice control, possibly leashed in certain areas.

Flying Holidays with your Pet

Domestic Flights

If you are planning to holiday interstate and would like to avoid a long drive, flying could be the answer. Both Qantas and Virgin Blue Airlines can accommodate your pet aboard the aircraft on the same flight as you. The procedures are simple enough, making interstate travel with your pet a relatively straightforward, inexpensive procedure.

Qantas – Check-in policies vary between states, as some airports will not permit animals inside the terminal. In these cases, pets must be checked in at Australian Air Express, the cargo handlers, at least one hour prior to flying. Most small-medium sized dogs can be registered for the flight at a cost of only $11, while larger dogs requiring their own kennel must be checked in through Australian Air Express at a cost of $33

Virgin Blue – Only four pets are permitted on each flight, and only one pet is allowed per person. Your pet will represent 5kg of your free 20kg baggage allowance and can be checked in for only $10. You must supply your own pet air crate. This can be hired or purchased from a number of Animal Transportation specialists.

For further information on air transportation you can call 1800 084 881 for the Travellers Guide to Interstate Quarantine.

Tips on preparing your pet for flying: 

1. DO make sure your pet is in good health. The airline will do a visual check to ensure your pet is not overly stressed before accepting it for the flight

2. DO include an old T-shirt or jumper in your pet’s crate. Your pet will be travelling in darkness and familiar smells will be very reassuring if your pet becomes stressed

3. DO NOT feed your pet before flying. If you are taking a morning flight, provide a light meal of dry food the night before, and do not feed in the morning prior to departure

4. DO NOT sedate your pet. This reduces blood pressure, decreasing heart rate and body temperature

International Flights

Unless you are relocating overseas permanently, travelling with your pet is not recommended due to our strict quarantine laws. The only exception to this rule is New Zealand. Nonetheless, New Zealand does not have the problems with Heartworm that we have, and would prefer to keep it that way, so dogs travelling to New Zealand must be vet checked, certified Heartworm-free, and appropriately vaccinated. You can get further details on requirements from your vet or a company specialising in Animal Transportation.

You can arrange your pet’s transportation yourself, or have a qualified Animal Transport company remove this burden, providing convenient air crate hire, organise pre-flight health checks, boarding facilities, flight bookings and even airport transfers.

Planning your Pet’s Holiday

Often, it is either impossible or undesirable to take your pet on your travels. For example, it might be awkward explaining why your pet travels with you on business trips! Also, your pets will not be allowed into National Parks, although they are welcome in many State Forests. Some pets simply do not travel well, so for these or other reasons you may decide not to take your pet away with you.

You’ll enjoy your travels that much more knowing your pet is in an environment where it will be safe, secure and contented. There are various options available to you, from boarding kennels and catteries to pet-minding services, family, friends or members of your pet club.

Neighbours and friends can be one option – it’s certainly the most affordable alternative, but is this going to be a burden for them? Is your pet going to be secure, or is your energetic dog going to demonstrate its ability as an escape artist in your absence? Is your friend’s house suitably fenced? Is barking going to disturb their neighbours? Is your cat likely to become distressed in your absence? Are your well-meaning friends really happy about taking on this extra responsibility? Having said all of this, in many cases a neighbour, friend or family member may be all you require. If transporting your pet to their place is going to prove an inconvenience, a specialised animal taxi service can even arrange this for you.

In most cases a boarding kennel, cattery or pet-minding service can be a very satisfactory option for your dog or cat, and many pet-minding services can look after your other pets as well. So let’s look at the options:

Boarding Kennels and Catteries

Dog Boarding Kennels or Catteries can provide excellent accommodation services for your pet’s holiday. There are lots to choose from all over Australia offering a range of different options, from standard accommodation to luxury suites. Prices vary dramatically, and are not necessarily the best indicator of quality. A few simple guidelines should help you establish the right facility for your pet:

1. Visit the boarding kennel or cattery before making a decision. You should be able to visit the facility without an appointment during operating hours. If you are required to visit by appointment only, one must question what the facilities are like when you are not there!

2. Does it smell? This could be an indicator of insufficient hygiene

3. Is there ready access to a vet in case of emergency? Hopefully this will not be required, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

4. Does the facility have a perimeter fence? You don’t want your dog escaping in your absence

5. Are staff suitably qualified in pet care?

6. Can the facility cater for your pet’s dietary requirements?

7. Is medication readily available, if required?

8. What are the hidden charges? For example, some facilities will charge extra fees for playtime, administration of medication or grooming services

9. Are there suitable facilities for exercise and entertainment of animals?

10. Is the facility PIAA accredited? This is not required, but PIAA, the Pet Industry Association of Ausralia sets a minimum standard that member facilities must comply with. This includes enclosure size, meals etc.

Many Boarding Kennels and Catteries can also provide a convenient pickup and delivery service. If your chosen facility doesn’t, there are specialised Animal Taxis that can arrange this service for you.

Pet sitting, minding and house minding services

Many pets can be happily left at home while you are away. Cats are often most comfortable in their home environment, while dogs that don’t bark excessively shouldn’t upset your neighbours. Additionally, your dog can serve as a deterrent to unwanted visitors. Unlike most boarding facilities, pet sitters can often look after other pets, such as fish, mice, rabbits and birds. In addition to feeding your pets and providing fresh water, most pet minders will also spend time playing with your pets and can even walk your dog. Many will undertake other useful chores such as collecting the mail, putting out the garbage, changing kitty litter and watering plants

Much like a nanny for children, pet sitting is quite a responsible position. You wouldn’t hire a nanny without references, would you? In the same way, it is common sense to do a little background checking before deciding on a pet sitter who may have access to your house, garden and pets in your absence. Testimonials from satisfied clients can tell you a lot, but contacting them for a referral will tell you more.When selecting a pet sitter, your pets can often be the best judge. Most pet sitting services will arrange to meet you and your pets in your home beforehand. Watch how the pet sitter reacts to your pets, and in particular, how your pets react to the pet minder. I mean, if they do not like them while you are around, how will they react to this pet sitter strolling through your front gate in your absence?

Another alternative gaining rapid popularity is one where your dog stays with another family while you are away (pet minding). This surrogate family often has a dog of their own that is matched to the type of dog you have. Your dog can enjoy a holiday of it’s own with a playmate for company – the next best thing to a holiday with you! Hopefully by now you will have answers to any questions you might have had about planning your holidays.

A third alternative is like pet sitting, but where the sitter acttually stays in your house while you are away.

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Kylie - Catterys in QLD   | | 16-01-2008 23:16:03 Hi there, Im going away at the end of April till middle of May and we need to put our 1 yrd old cats (2) into a cattery on the Gold Coast. As they are our babies I want to find a top cattery if there is such a thing! Can anyone out there recommend a good cattery on the Gold Coast? Thanks. Reply | Quote 1   0

steve wregg     | | 09-03-2008 04:23:04 You are welcome to inspect our facilities at Simply purrfect 'holiday camp for cats'. I am sure you will find our facilities to your liking. it is exclusively feline ,large individual rooms with outside runs, family run only 3 years new. We have many regulars staying with us but may have space around April but filling fast. check out our web site or ring 0755028803 Steve Wregg Reply | Quote 0   0

Steve Wregg - Cats   | | 10-03-2008 19:09:07 Thanks Steve, what is your website please? Reply | Quote 1   0

swordfish - boarding catteries on the QLD   | 58.107.7.xxx | 17-01-2008 00:29:12 Try http://petsplayground.com.au/index.php/component/ option,com_mtzcssear ch/Itemid,65/. In the 'category box' select 'Boarding Catteries' and in the 'Region' box select 'QLD - Gold Coast'. I hope this helps. Reply | Quote 0   0

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