Traveling with your Dog during COVID-19
Happy August friends! With the world engulfed in a pandemic, words like quarantine, self-isolation, and social distancing are all too common at the moment. It has turned our lives upside down and with the end of summer approaching, I think everyone is craving a “break.”
During August, a lot of us are looking forward to planned summer vacations and adventures with our dogs, but the health crisis has forced us to rethink our plans. If you are wondering if and how to take a vacation with your two and four-legged family members while keeping yourself and others safe, we have a few tips!
Rethink Transportation:
Planes are the easiest ways to travel to far off places. However, public transportation may not be the safest option to use during a global pandemic. Plus, air travel is not very pet-friendly!
Pet-friendly and socially distant alternatives:
● Road trip to a different state
● Rent a unique car and travel locally
● Rent an RV and go for the long haul
● Rent a boat or houseboat for some time on the water
Socially Distant Locations:
Do you love visiting the big city or going to a favorite beach with your pup? These places can be busy and full of people which is not conducive to keeping 6 ft. The good news is that there are things to do and places you can visit that will lend itself to adventure, relaxation, and privacy with your pup.
Rent a cabin in the woods, on a lake, in a desert, etc. (we use Airbnb and HomeAway)
Go camping (we recently discovered Tentrr - seems cool!)
Pack a picnic and head to your local park
Find a pet-friendly drive-on beach and find a spot far away from other vehicles
Glamp in your backyard
Research and visit less-traveled/off the grid locations
If you prefer hotels, see if your desired resort has private cottages or homes on the property
Stock Up:
Wherever you go this summer it is a good idea to bring extra supplies with you and have somethings stocked up at home, as different states may require that you quarantine for 14 days. Purchase extra food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper ;), and other essentials. And don’t forget for your pup; make sure you have a few extra bags of dog food ready to go.
Another thing to remember as you travel is to bring extra masks, and cleaning supplies. If you decide to stay in a hotel or go to a restaurant with your dog, it is important that you are protecting yourself and others as you move through busy areas. Remember to look for sanitizing products that are non-toxic to dogs or have a way to safely store them.
Follow Local and National Guidelines:
If you find that traveling with your dog attracts attention from other dogs and humans (because he’s so cute!), be sure to practice your “I’m socially distancing” call! Think about the situation before you go, will the dog park be extra crowded at this time? Will the beach be busy at this time of year? Set you and your dog up for success!
Current health guidelines are changing quickly and may be different from state to state. Research local mask, social distancing, and quarantine guidelines before you travel outside of your area.
Travel Safely:
Following guidelines can ensure that you have a safe summer with your dog, but also a fun one! Use current travel restrictions and health concerns as a way to explore and vacation in a different way. Take it from us, there is still adventure to be had with your dog!