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14% of Australians always travel with their "best friends"
15 June,
2000
Worried about leaving your best friend behind when you travel? Don't
- just take a leaf out of the book of those who always travel with their
pet companion.
Fourteen per cent of Australian pet owners always take their pet with
them on weekend getaways, a recent Newspoll study has found.
The results also suggest one third of dog owners include their furry
friend in the weekend escape plan. Not surprisingly, pooch or puss are
also more likely to go on shorter trips with their owners than extended
holidays, the survey found.
Western Australia has the highest percentage of owners who travel with
their pets. The survey found that twenty four percent of Western Australian
owners always take their pets with them on weekend travel.
This figure is compared to 16 per cent of Victorian pet owners, 15 per
cent in New South Wales, 11 per cent in South Australia, 10 per cent
in Tasmania and seven per cent of Queenslanders who spend weekends away
with their pet.
The older the traveller, the more likely they are to take their pet.
Of all 'pet friendly' travellers, the survey found that 17 per cent
of owners are over 50 years of age, 15 per cent are aged from 18 to
24, 13 per cent from 35 to 49 and 12 per cent from 25 to 34 years of
age.
For ideas on places to travel with pets, state tourist offices can recommend
short break holiday destinations and local tourist information centres
can help with 'pet friendly' options.
In most instances, caravan parks are generally more welcoming of pets
than hotels. Dogs and cats are not permitted in State or National Parks
and some beaches have dog restrictions in place.
"By using some common sense and being sensitive to your pet’s needs,
a trip away with the family pet can be an enjoyable experience for all
involved," Consultant to Petcare Information & Advisory Service,
Denise Humphries said.
"Whether it’s a short weekend away or an extended trip, enjoy the
benefits of taking the family pet with you. Like us, pets enjoy a holiday
and unlike many travel partners of the human kind, pets pose as the
perfect travel companions. They are generally happy to join their owners
in travel activities, be it a bush walk or simple relaxation,"
Ms Humphries said.
Although pets make great travel partners, dogs, being less territorial
and more easily adaptable to change, generally travel better than cats.
However, rather than leave your cat at home, take a little more time
preparing puss for the big trip and acclimatising him/her to the new
surroundings. In general, cats travel better in a carrier, and one that
allows adequate stretching room and is well ventilated.
Petcare Information & Advisory Service offer the following suggestions
for easier pet travel -
On departure day, consider your pet's normal routine, when it usually
eats and sleeps. Take this into account when planning your departure
times. Always give your pet the opportunity to relieve itself before
travel.
Dogs will generally be quite excited by the prospect of new territory
to explore. When you arrive at your destination walk the dog around
its new area and familiarise it with its holiday home. Cats are more
likely to be unsettled by travelling away from their familiar surroundings
and it is important to ensure that the cat can be confined until it
is relaxed and obviously adjusted to its new environment.
Take a leash (for your dog).
In case your pet should become separated from you during your holiday,
ensure that it is wearing a collar and a tag with a phone number which
can be reached during your absence from home.
Ensure your pet's vaccinations are up to date.
Take a 'pooper scooper' for
dogs and litter tray for cats.
Ensure your pet is in a space where they can not run away and become
lost in unfamiliar surroundings.
-Be aware that without adequate ventilation animals left in cars can
quickly die from heat exhaustion - even on moderately warm days.
Take their favourite toy and/or blanket to make your pet as comfortable
as possible.
Reference:
Newspoll Market Research, March 2000
National study conducted by Newspoll Market Research among respondents
aged 18 years and over, on the weekend of 10 -12 March 2000.