Find pet-friendly spots, dates and lots of tips on travel with

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Apr 3, 2005 by KERRY McGINLEY THE GAZETTE

If your family vacation is not complete without the furry members, you're not alone. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, about 14 percent of vacationers -- about 29 million people -- include a pet on their journeys.

How well those pets travel is more difficult to gauge, but in general, dogs tend to do better than cats, especially on car trips. Maybe that's why they make up 75 percent of four-legged tourists.

In terms of air travel, more than two million animals fly the friendly skies every year in the United States. In addition to federal regulations, each airline has its own rules about what kinds of animals it accepts, where they can ride and other requirements.

Be sure to check all the rules before you show up at the airport with Fido or Kitty in tow.

Plenty of stops along the information superhighway can help you plot your course before you hit the road.

Letsgopets.com was set up by a dog owner who wanted to offer good travel information and listings of petly accommodations. You can read up on travel tips, air travel rules, relocation advice, emergency vet care, grooming and other topics.

You can book your stay through the site's 24-hour reservation center online or by calling 1-866-504-8440. Customer service is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

www.letsgopets.com

Pets on the go! is another great general information site. You can book lodging online from 30,000 choices. Articles highlight trends, news, rules for domestic and international travel, and even pet travel fashion.

To get full access to the site, you must be a member. A one- month trial is $5, a one-year membership is $15, and a jet-set premium membership (including a year's subscription to the site, a subscription to a glossy pet travel magazine and a pet protector system) is $30.

www.petsonthego.com

If your trip will take you outside North America, check out Pettravel.com, a "worldwide travel guide for pet owners." All kinds of links and articles offer information on animal travel, including a listing of most popular pet and owner vacation spots, pet immigration information, pet insurance, dating for pet lovers, and travel safety. It also lists about 20,000 pet-friendly accommodations around the world.

www.pettravel.com

At Petswelcome.com, which claims to be the Internet's largest pet travel resource, you can find 25,000 lodging options in the United States and Canada for you and your furry friend.

The site is divided into two sections, one for the petowner leisure traveler, another for lodging and animal professionals. There's a feature that allows you to put in your departure and arrival points to show all the petfriendly places along the way. You can also read other travelers' feedback and information about shops, museums, malls, etc. that are pet-friendly.

www.petswelcome.com

CONTACT THE WRITER: 476-4859 or kmcginley@gazette.com