Pets can be the greatest of companions for many people, but what happens when you want to bring your furry pet on vacation with you. Many individuals think travelling with pets is restrictive, and they would be absolutely correct, and yet the majority of pet owners are loathed to put their little friends in kennels and vacation homes when they go away. As a result, some choose not to travel at all if they cannot find a neighbor or friend to look after their pet, but travel with your pet may not be as difficult as individuals believe if the right precautions are taken and research is done ahead of time.

Travelling with pets might seem a daunting prospect at first, but once you are familiar with the process it will become a minor chore. If you consider that your pet will be able to share in your experiences, there is no limit to what you would do to ensure that he or she could be with you!

Regardless of whether you are travelling with you pet domestically or internationally, there are things that you have to investigate. Firstly, before you even start planning your journey, you must make sure that pets are welcome in the hotel or resort that you are staying in. There are now facilities solely available for owners travelling with pets in response to this growing demand. Condo rentals and beach houses often allow for pets. However, the majority of hotels do not welcome pets. Once you have ascertained whether or not your pet is welcome, you can begin to plan your trip.

If you plan to drive to your destination with your pet then you should plan the trip well in advance to ensure that he or she remains comfortable throughout the journey. This includes plenty of rest stops to allow your pet to stretch his or her legs and attend to their natural needs! Car safety should also be in the forefront of your planning. All pets should be properly harnessed in for long distance travel.

If you intend to fly with your pet then your first port of call should be the airline. They will be able to inform you of exactly what is required when travelling with your pet. This will include such issues as special permits, how much advance time you need in preparation to board at the airport, how your pet should be "packed" as such(many require carry cages of certain dimensions), and what other documentation you may need.

If you happen to be traveling with your pet out of the country, you will have to check the quarantine laws associated with that particular country. This information can be found on the embassy pages of every country. It may be necessary to get your pet vaccinated, in which case you must take the papers with you to prove that your pet is not carrying anything nasty into the country.

If you follow these directions then you will find that travelling with your pet is nowhere as complex as it may initially seem. It may take a few hours to get the paperwork together and you will have to prepare in advance, but the rewards make it well worth the effort.

Sam Serio is the Marketing Director at the Chincoteague Center, the promoter of the Annual Chincoteague Blueberry Festival and an enthusiastic advocate for Chincoteague Island tourism. He is also a partner in two websites that provide an in-depth, insiders view of Chincoteague Island through high quality articles, videos, interviews and photographs. You are invited to visit http://www.chincoteagueislandvacations.com and http://www.chincoteagueoutlook.com to discover Chincoteague Island an affordable,eco-friendly, family oriented vacation destination.