With gas prices and restaurant costs on the rise, some folks might consider foregoing this year's family vacation. Instead of chucking it entirely, consider a few shorter trips, save on pet boarding and bring your pet along. Sometimes a weekend, or four-day trip can be just as rejuvenating as a week or two away, and by spreading several short getaways throughout the summer, you might find it is really more pleasurable than trying to fit everything into one or two weeks.

If you're reading this column, you likely already consider your dog, cat, parrot, or other pet species a part of your family. A short trip is a great way to try out having them come along, and there are many websites with information on safe and fun travel with pets.

Dogs:

The AKC offers "Canine Travel Tips." To find dog-friendly hotels, visit DogFriendly.com, named a Forbes "Best of the Web" site. Canismajor.com also has a good article "Have Leash, Will Travel." If your trip involves air travel, check out "Airline Carriers and their policies on canine travel" also at AKC's site. You might also be interested in this article on sedating your pet (AVMA.org site). See also: "Air Travel, Consumer Reports" by the US government. The TSA's guide is here.

Cats:
Check out The Cat Site and also, "Traveling with Kitty by Plane" if you are traveling by plane. Drs. Foster and Smith is a pet supply company, but they do offer a lot of great information for pet owners. Read their article on "Air Travel With Your Cat ." Safety is important, so also check out "Traveling With Your Cat & Outdoor Safety" at PetEducation.com.

Parrots:
Some parrot owners believe their birds are happiest remaining at home with a pet sitter or relative checking on them. Others take their birds with them. Read "No Hassle Travel Tips" from TheBirdChannel.com. Safety is important with all pets, but especially with those who fly. The Portable Parrot features info on cages, carriers and harnesses. Pet owners love reading about the adventures of like-minded pet-loving families : check out Avian Auto Adventure. Parrot Trek is a website featuring the journal (with great photos) of Frank and Suzy Whitmore: a young couple, living the traveling life with their 3 parrots.

If you choose to leave your parrots at home, but want a vacation centered around parrots, consider Parrot Tourism. Here are links:

CAYAYA BIRDING - GUATEMALA
INKANATURA
NATURE CAYMAN
PARROTS PARADISE UK
TROPICAL NATURE
WILD MACAWS
WILD PARROTS UP CLOSE

Traveling with your horse:
For those with horses, check out "Traveling with Horses": A directory of Accommodations and Services in the United States for horses and those who love them. Also, Bed & Breakfasts: Inns with Accommodations for Horses, features B&B's with stables. If you have a service horse (see Service Animals in links at right of this blog), check out these travel tips.

Guinea Pigs:
Yes, some folks do travel with their guinea pig. Check out this helpful article to help your pet feel secure and happy: "Traveling with Guinea Pigs."

Pet emergencies while traveling:
Save this website to your favorites (if you're taking a laptop along) or search before you travel and put the phone number and address in your wallet or purse for the nearest Animal Hospital in the town two which you are traveling. You also might want to note the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour hotline at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.

Crossing state lines with your pet:
Each U. S. State has their own requirements for health and/or rabies vaccination certification. Learn more: U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations. Veterinary Services Area Offices carry out the VS mission at the state level across the United States and can provide: Health Certificate Endorsement; Export Certifications; Import Inspections. Eastern US. Western US.

Traveling internationally with your pet:
If you are traveling internationally, you'll want to know International Animal Export Regulations. If you are taking a pet to another country, you may wish to contact that country's consulate or embassy for information. A listing of consulates can be found at the U.S. State Department. Also, there are companies that help with traveling and relocating animals to other countries. One such company is Pet Air Carrier, LLC.

There are many sites online that list pet-friendly hotels, etc. One is Cruise Cat: "a specialty travel service designed with pets in mind, providing an assortment of pet friendly hotels, pet friendly travel deals, special services, and luxury pet accommodations throughout the United States and across the world."

Books:
Seattle residents might want to purchase this book: Eileen's Guide of Pet-Friendly Lodging and Outdoor Adventure in The Northwest (ISBN# 1-884465-18-8 672 pages, $19.95).

Another good book for dog lovers who travel is TRAVELERS' TALES: A DOG'S WORLD, edited by Christine Hunsicker (Travelers' Tales Inc; ISBN 1-885211-23-6; $12.95).

Traveling With Your Pet: the AAA PetBook includes information and suggestions on preparing your pet for travel, how to pack for your pet and selecting a carrier or crate. It also offers special advice on traveling by car or air, what to do in an emergency and travel between Canada and the United States.

Have a great summer and a great vacation or getaway with your whole family!