Traveling with pets has started to become a more common practice and timeshare companies are now allowing pets in many of their resorts. If you are planning to travel with a furry friend, it is important that you book your travel early and call the resort ahead of your planned arrival date to find out about possible extra fees, pet weight restrictions, or other guidelines. There will also be additional considerations if you are traveling with your pet to another country, such as proper vaccination documentation and making arrangements to fly with animals.

Do not get discouraged if your first choice resort does not allow pets, simply contact your timeshare company and obtain a list of resorts in the same area. Some resorts may even allow you to bring small pets even if they do not specifically advertise themselves as “pet friendly”. RCI has an extensive list of pet friendly resort affiliates which can be found on their website using the search term “pets”, although the majority of these resorts are not found in the US. If you are not an RCI timeshare owner, DogFriendly and PetsWelcome provide excellent resources for creating a memorable vacation that includes your four-legged friend. The previously mentioned sites focus mainly on US locations, but make mention of a few foreign destinations such as the Caribbean and Mexico.

When traveling with pets be sure to pack for them as you would for yourself, taking into consideration any special diet restrictions, favorite toys, identifying documents, and medications. If you have a pet with allergies, you will want to plan ahead and be sure to pack your pet’s allergy medication. You may also want to do research before you take your trip and locate nearby pet friendly restaurants, parks, and retail stores. If you are planning to be away for prolonged periods during the day, you may want to enroll your pet in a local daycare program or arrange for a daily kennel stay. There is no reason to leave the furry family members at home when you take your next trip, with a little planning and research your pets can come along for the fun!