If you think of your pet as a family member, it only follows that Fluffy should come along on family vacations. But between "no pets allowed" signs and over-the-top surcharges, it seems like your only option for accommodations is a tent. For travel anywhere in North America, those options are about to change, thanks to
Traveling with Your Pet, a comprehensive and easy-to-use guide for AAA-rated lodgings that welcome four-legged guests.
Most of the book reads like any standard travel book. Arranged alphabetically by state, you'll find hotels in both small towns and major cities, with a list of icons showing what amenities you can expect. Instead of descriptions of restaurants or spas, you'll find a sentence or two outlining pet policies. Here, a careful reading can save you a bundle. Although many hotels are happy to house animals, surcharges range anywhere from $5 total to $100 per night and, in some cases, only particular species of small size are accepted. This section cautions readers to confirm the current policy in advance. The last thing you want to discover upon arrival with your two labs is that the policy was changed the day before you made the reservations.
Other than these listings, information is relatively limited, but can be helpful to newcomers to the world of pet vacations. Contact information is provided for several airlines, as well as emergency animal health-care suggestions and advice for buying safe traveling equipment. Dog owners will appreciate the list of off-leash dog parks throughout the U.S., which includes rules for national parks and forests. In fact, with all its practical information, you may find this book puts your regular pet sitter out of a job! --Jill Lightner
Updated annually, the AAA PetBook features more than 13,000 hotels and campgrounds in the United States and Canada that accept pets. This comprehensive guide also includes more than 400 pet-friendly private campgrounds, dog parks and pet-friendly attractions. Practical tips on border crossing procedures, what to pack, who to call, and details on traveling with your pet by car or by air make this a truly invaluable travel companion.
