To many pet owners the thought of leaving their dog or cat in a kennel or cattery while they go on holiday is enough to make them give up the idea of going away! If for you the thought of leaving without your pet is not an option, you’ll be happy to hear that there are options.
One great option is to arrange a home swap vacation. So rather than leaving your pet behind or searching for the rare hotels that allows pets, why not look into staying in a real home and taking your pets on vacation with you? Home swapping can be a great option for pet owners but there are things to think about before setting off with your beloved pet.
Find pet friendly accommodation
It’s not difficult to find a home swap partner that will allow you to bring your pet. Many home owners have pets themselves and will be happy for you to bring your pet with you. Use the home swap search tools to look for pet friendly home swaps.
When planning for an exchange it’s very important to make sure you discuss all details with any potential home swap partners and get their approval for your pet to stay in their home. Also remember, even if you are not taking your pet with you, to tell any prospective home swap partner that you have pets – your pets fur might be a big no no for anyone with allergies.
Be prepared for the journey
If you are crossing boarders then make sure to do research to find out what paperwork and certificates are required for your pet. Often this can include: a health & rabies certificate, vaccination history and sometimes; proof of ownership. You will also need an airline-approved pet carrier if you need to catch a flight to your destination.
Be preventive about damages
If you are taking your pet with you on a home swap never forget that you are staying in someone’s home and so make sure that you leave the home in as good a condition (or even better!) than when you arrived. Make sure your pet is well behaved before choosing to swap homes. However if your pet does have an accident make sure that you clean it right away and, if needed, pay for professional cleaning.
Have fun and make sure your pet does too
Just because your swap partners have agreed for you to bring your pet along doesn’t mean it is an ideal option. If you have a large dog for example swapping with someone’s city center studio apartment might not be the best choice. If you are taking your dog to a city home swap then check about parks and open space close by so that your dog can have fun too. Also remember to take your poop scoop with you– you don’t want you and your pooch getting a bad name!
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Home Base Holidays: travel the home exchange way
Home Base Holidays has thousands of home swap travel offers worldwide. Find your next exchange through Home Base Holidays so that you can enjoy totally free travel accommodation.
