What sites do you use or think are better for finding places to stay if you have pets? How about destination sites that feature pet day care or overnight stays? I have never used any before so recommendations would be appreciated.
How are you getting there? Via air, train, bus or car or ???
The main thing to remember is your pet is still your responsibility, even if its a little thing, like I know of one person who had a small dog and locked it in the bathroom and went out for lunch for a half hour.
The room didn’t get cleaned, because just when he left for lunch, the housekeeper showed up to clean. And the hotel (most do) have strict policies if you want your room cleaned the pet must be removed from the room, not locked or put in a crate.
So wherever you stay make sure you discuss what will happen with your pet when you are not around, no matter how short of a venture outside.
Meanwhile here is what NOT TO DO
BringFido is a great directory for finding pet-friendly lodging and other travel needs: https://www.bringfido.com/
Airbnb & VRBO are also good resources. Just click the ‘pets allowed’ filter & it will only show you homes/apartments/condos that allow pets.
I also usually find a doggie daycare in the area, just in case we want to do something without the dogs. Bring vaccination records or have a copy on your phone.
I have traveled thousands of miles with dogs. In a car. If you are traveling with dogs you are limited to the following: Super 8 and Motel 6 (reliably allow pets), and a very few upscale hotel chains. Also car camping sites in state and national parks.
Trains and bus lines do not accept dogs on board. Flying is quite traumatic and dangerous in the cargo hold where all dogs over about 12 pounds will be stowed. Teeny dogs can travel in a soft crate if it fits under your seat (I brought a puppy home that way once). You’ll pay a lot to fly a dog and you will be limited to certain airlines and only some seasons, even if your breed and size of dog is accepted.
I do not board my dogs. I had an indelibly terrible experience the one time I was forced to, and never again. If you have a dog who isn’t extremely bonded to you, is well trained, loves strangers and other dogs, and eats well away from home, boarding may be a good option.
No matter what you do, it will be superduper handy to have trained your dog to relax indefinitely inside a secure dog crate.
Ulfreida, you may be pleased to learn that Amtrak has revised their pet policy to some extent.
To the OP: I often travel with my small (11 lb.) dog and just got back from a lengthy road trip with him. As stated, crate training makes everything much easier. My dog is almost never in a crate at home, but he was trained to it from puppyhood and it remains a touchstone of safety and comfort for him when we are in unfamiliar surroundings.
He is also trained to void his bladder and bowels on command. This gives us both a measure of assurance there will be no unpleasant accidents in hotels or the homes of family or friends.
Best Western Plus is another hotel chain that is friendly to pets and charge a reasonable fee to accommodate them ($20/pet/day).
To this list, I’ll also add La Quinta as a chain that generally allows dogs and cats (though they may charge a similar $20 fee, and a small number of their locations don’t allow pets).
I know people bash it, but Motel 6 has I think a company-wide policy to allow pets without charge.