Summer Vacation Travel Tips for You and Your Pet

If you are planning a family vacation this summer, you don't want to leave the four legged member of the family behind. But if you are traveling with a pet, where can you stay, what airlines can you travel on and what do you need to bring with you?

Four Legged and Furry will try to give you some of those necessary travel tips this week.

If you are making a road trip...

Are you planning on being on the road this summer?  If so, you'll need to check with hotels in the areas you're heading to make sure that they accept pets.

Some major hotel chains that accept pets are Best Western, Courtyard by Marriott, Drury Inn and Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn and Sheraton hotels. However, just because a hotel chain normally accepts pets doesn't mean a particular branch does, so you should always check with the hotel you are looking at to make sure your pet is welcome.

For a full list of hotel chains that welcome four leggged friends, check out the Trips with Pets website.

If you are flying with your pet...

Every airline has different flying rules and fees for pets. Since the local airport in Islip features Southwest prominently, Four Legged will as well. Southwest Airlines accepts small, vaccinated pets that can fit in a pet carrier. The airline charges $75 each way for the pet. They do not allow pets to fly in the cargo area. 

Each airline is different, though, and airline fees do vary.  For example, Delta airlines charges up to $150 each way for a pet and requires full documentation that your pet is vaccinated. 

With all airlines, you should reserve your pet's "seat" beforehand and go over all airline policies. For a full list of airline information, check out the Bring Fido website.

If you are looking for the essentials...

Finally, check out our local pet stores, and , for the following must have travel accessorises.  

• travel water bowl
• airline pet carrier
• seat cover or pet car seat
• leash
• id tags
• travel food container