A total of 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association. This has left many in a bit of a predicament when it comes to taking a vacation.
Having a dog shouldn't preclude you from having a great holiday, but it can make things a little bit more challenging. The first decision of course, is deciding if you are going to take your doggy or not.
This has to be the most difficult of decisions. Having dogs ourselves, we know how hard it can be to leave them behind. It's not just about missing them, (of course we do) but also, we think about their safety and well being, and then worry about them all of the time when we are away.
There are lots of options, if you decide that it's just not feasible to take your companion with you, you then need to choose the option that is the best for you and your pup. Each has it's pros and cons.
Kennels
This is probably the most cost effective and safest option for housing your dog. However,
many people consider this "prison for dogs". They will get little interaction, and spend a good deal of time in a cage. The dog can often become traumatised, and you may see some behavioural changes when you collect your dog, and these can be long lasting. On the plus side, it's typically safe. The dogs are unlikely to escape, and try and find their way home.
Private dog host/ dog sitter
This is the middle ground, where you take your doggy to someone local, who will bring them into their home, and care for your dog in your absence. They will often host 2 or 3 dogs at a time, and should be fully licenced and insured. The most important thing here is to DO YOUR RESEARCH, ask questions, lots of them! Find out how secure their garden is, how often will they be walked. where will they be walked. A good dog host will have many questions for you too. Most good hosts will ask to spend time with your dog first of all, and this is a really important thing. You can see how they interact, and your dog gets a chance to form a bond.
Dog walker / house sitter
This can be an expensive option, unless you have friends and family who pop in, or even better, stay at your home whilst you are away. Your pet will be surrounded with the smells, tastes and sights that are familiar, yes of course they will miss you, but this is, in our opinion, the best option if you just can't take the dog with you.
Taking your dog with you If you just can’t be without your dog, (understandably in our opinion) then you still have choices to make, and plenty of research. Will you leave the country or stay in the UK?
Going abroad
If you decide to go abroad, whilst it's not impossible to take your dog with you, it can often be so complicated and adds quite lot of cost and paperwork. For instance, the cost for a UK ‘dog passport’ can range between £125-£340 which includes vaccinations, animal health certificates blood tests and insurances. Then of course you need to consider transportation. Short ferry trips, and the euro-tunnel, means that your dog won't be left alone for too long, and is considerably less stressful for them. Whereas air-travel means that your pooch will have to travel in the hold without you. (and the ticket price for your dog can often far exceed the price you pay for your own seat.
Stay Local
The other option is of course to stay local. There are so many places you can stay where your companion will be welcomed too. And the only discomfort the dog will feel is a journey of a few hours in your car or on the train. If you are travelling by car, plan toilet, leg stretch and exercise stops for your dog, The places you can visit and stay with your dog, are growing all of the time, and the UK offers some amazing places to visit. Make sure though, you are aware of any rules around pets at your destination. If you decide to stay at a hotel, what are the caveats that the establishment have, will they be allowed into the restaurant, can they be exercised on the hotel grounds, are there any places nearby that you can give your dog a decent walk off lead?
Here at Roxedge, we are dog lovers, and we have done our best to make sure that everyone whether you have two legs or four, are catered for and made to feel important. We have a large safe back garden where the dogs can stretch their legs, but we are also located directly on the South West Coastal path, which means that you have instant access to some of the most scenic and traffic free walks in the UK. We have 20 beaches and coves spread over our 22 miles of coastline. These are ALL dog friendly out of season, but during the summer months there are a few of the main beaches where you can't take your dog. But we will show you the beaches where they will be welcomed all year round, and we even supply dog towels in case they get wet or muddy.
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