NAVIGATION

Skip the Line at the Tower of London

Get your tickets ahead of time and stroll right in when you arrive. Take the Beefeater tour and you'll be amazed, appalled and amused by the tales of passion, treachery and torture delivered with a smile and a swagger. Click here

Traveling With Pets Traveling With Pets Traveling With Pets Traveling With Pets Traveling With Pets Traveling With Pets

Traveling With Pets: Important Information

For many people, traveling isn't enjoyable if their pets can't come along. Many hotels and motels are now pet-friendly (though some impose weight or size restrictions), and rest areas often offer a pet-friendly area. Pets can be a great joy, providing companionship on your trip, safety, or even life-saving advance notice of trouble. You and your pet have established a routine, though, and traveling is likely to upset that to some degree. With a little advance planning, your holiday can be enjoyable and safe for both you and your pet.

Start by thoroughly researching your destination location. If you'll need accommodations, look for pet-friendly lodgings. Many travel websites allow you to tick a 'pet-friendly' box and will only return vacancies in accommodations that accept pets. Before booking, be sure to call the facility directly and find out if the policy is still in place, if there are any weight or size limits, if a pet deposit is mandatory, and if that deposit is refundable and under what circumstances. If you'll be staying with friends or relatives, contact them and find out about yard size, allergies, any small children (who might be inadvertently hurt by a large, enthusiastic dog) and the name of a couple of good vets in the area.

In fact, a list of veterinarians at your destination is essential. Hopefully you won't need to use the list, but if your pet becomes sick or injured, you'll want to know where to go. At a minimum, have one 24-hour or emergency vet on your list in case a midnight illness or injury occurs.

Travelers now have the option of purchasing pet insurance, either for the duration of their trip or on an on-going basis. Pet insurance can help cover vet fees, dental care and medicines, and can even provide legal assistance related to your pet, depending on the policy selected. Should you opt for pet insurance, check to see that the veterinarians on your list participate in the insurance scheme. Most pet insurance companies offer a list of participating veterinarians throughout the UK, which can actually provide you with much-needed assurance that the necessary medical care is available, should it be needed.

Microchip your pet! While the UK has no universal law regarding microchipping, it's the best way to ensure your pet is returned to you if lost. Cats, in particular, can move like lightning, and when in an unfamiliar environment may be frightened enough to bolt. Take photos of your pet before leaving on your trip and have the photos in your handbag or luggage so they can be copied if necessary.

Take along a few favorite toys, including chew toys, a brush and comb, plastic bags or nappy sacks, hygiene products, and enough food to last through your trip, unless you plan to buy some at your destination. Keep in mind, though, that not every location stocks every brand of food, and especially if you're visiting a rural or island area, it's best to pack enough food for the duration.

With a little planning, you and your pet can have a wonderful trip.