Summer Holidays - where four-legged friends can come too!
Pet friendly holidays in New Zealand
We love our animals, so it isn’t surprising that pet-friendly holidays are becoming increasingly popular. But whilst it can be a fun and rewarding experience for the family, it requires careful planning and preparation so that it works for your pet too.
Here are some ideas that should help you to consider the different options, as well as some of the considerations you need to factor in to ensure things go smoothly.
The first thing to consider is whether your pet is really going to enjoy being on your holiday. For some animals being in the car, in unfamiliar places or out of their familiar routine is extremely stressful. So as much as you might want them with you, they might have a much better experience being left at home with a responsible ‘pet sitter’ or with caring people at a kennel or cattery.
Vaccinations and Microchip Registration up to date?
Once you have decided that your animal would enjoy being away with you, then its important to check that your pet’s vaccinations are all up to date. The risk of infectious diseases such as parvovirus for dogs will be greater when you are around unfamiliar pets and in different places. Its also worth making sure that your pet is microchipped, and his/her and your registration details are all up to date on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR - https://www.animalregister.co.nz), so that you have peace of mind that if for any reason your pet gets lost or goes missing when you are away, there is a greater chance of being found and returned to you.
Before leaving home:
You will need to think about the essentials that your pet will need for his/her comfort whilst away. These will include: its usual food, feed and water bowls, bottled water, bedding, a few toys, collar/registration tag, lead/harness, poop bags, and any medications.
If you are going to be driving then you will need to plan your route so that you can have regular stops along the way to allow your pet to relieve themselves and stretch their legs, as well as have a drink of water. With the summer temperatures being so high, it’s crucial to plan so that you never leave your pet alone in a parked car – as temperatures can quickly become dangerously high.
Before leaving home we suggest that you plan your holiday activities around your pet’s needs. There are some tourist attractions, lakesides, parks and beaches that may not welcome animals, but if you do your research, you will be able to find there are still plenty of pet-friendly activities to enjoy where you plan to holiday in New Zealand. Spending time finding these before you arrive at your destination, will mean that you can enjoy your holiday together.
Pet friendly Holiday options:
There are a few different options for a pet friendly holiday – here are some that you might want to consider:
1. Pet-friendly Accommodation: Google for hotels, motels, vacation rentals, or holiday parks that allow pets. Many accommodation options have specific pet-friendly rooms or designated areas where pets are welcome. Websites like Booking.com and Airbnb have filters to help you find pet-friendly options.
2. Pet Friendly Camping and Caravan Sites: Camping and caravanning can be a great option for pet-friendly holidays. Many campsites allow dogs and other pets, providing ample space for them to roam and enjoy outdoor activities. Just ensure you have proper pet containment measures and respect all campground rules regarding where pets can go, and of course cleaning up after your pets!
3. Pet-friendly beach/water holidays: If your pet loves the water, consider visiting pet-friendly beaches, or rivers/lakes. These watery places often have designated areas and/or times of the day for dogs to run off-leash and play. It's important to check local regulations about dogs on beaches, keep away from areas where there may be nesting birds and always clean up after your pet. Be aware of the impact of the warm weather on your pet’s comfort and health. Hot weather means hot sand – especially if its black sand! Your dog’s paws are sensitive – and can burn easily if the sand is hot. In addition, you will need to consider how to provide shade and clean water (not salt water), as both are essential for your pet’s welfare. If you decide to visit a lake or river, make sure you check with the local regional council sites or pay attention to signage regarding the water quality and any risks. More common in the warmer months, algal blooms can affect lakes and rivers and are potentially toxic for humans and pets. If you suspect that your dog has eaten toxic algae, you should treat it like an emergency and contact your vet immediately. Make sure that you are well aware of what you should be looking out for by reading the fact sheet produced by Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) - https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/toxic-algae/
4. Pet Friendly Walks: There are several walking trails around NZ that are dog friendly as long as they are on leads/leashes. For horse owners, there are also various places advertising horse trail riding and camping. Choose routes that are suitable for your animal’s fitness and consider the impact of warmer and/or humid weather conditions. Obviously, it’s important to clear up after your pet and to respect the natural environment and the native flora and fauna.
5. Pet Friendly ‘StayCations’!
We had to consider this option too. Sometimes the best holidays are spent in your own home, spending time away from work enjoying your own garden, nearby attractions and with family and friends. A StayCation gives you the chance to engage more actively with your companion animals, with fewer distractions (like work, school runs, busy lives), and to work on the training goals you may never have got round to, those local walks that you haven’t had time to explore or beaches/lakes/rivers for picnics and swimming that have been crying out for you and your pets to enjoy. There are lots of advantages to this sort of holiday for both you and your pets, so it’s well worth thinking about.
Pet friendly Website Information Sites:
Here are some websites and information articles about pet-friendly accommodation, making it easier to find suitable places to stay. • https://petfriendlystays.co.nz/ • https://www.spca.nz/advice-and-welfare/article/pet-friendly-holidays-around-new-zealand • https://www.bringfido.com/lodging/country/new_zealand/
Finally:
Once you have decided upon the best pet friendly holiday for your family, you will need to make sure your pet is prepared by being well-trained and well socialized with people and other animals. Get ready for your holiday by training your pet to walk calmly next to you when on a lead and to behave appropriately when around people, especially children. Practice at home so that he/she understands when you want him to sit, stay, and recall as well as stay quiet (stop barking), since this will make for a much more pleasant and safer experience for your pet, you, and all those around you!
A pet friendly holiday should be a good experience for your animal as well as for you, so remember, to make his/her wellbeing and comfort your priority so that you can all have a wonderful experience.
Have Fun!
