Push for pet-friendly rooms makes hotels sit up and notice

When the suitcases come out, Pepper goes into hiding.

She knows what it means: We're leaving, and she's not.

There are myriad benefits to traveling as much as I do. Leaving the dog behind is not one of them.

So when longtime friends put me in charge of finding a rental house for our biannual gathering at Deep Creek Lake, Md., I made an executive decision: The dog is coming with us.

Last year, a quarter of dog owners took their pooches on a trip that lasted at least two nights, according to a survey by the American Pet Products Association. And that number is expected to rise as more and more destinations cater to animals and their owners.

"Hotels have figured out there's a huge market of pet owners who want to travel with their pets," said Tracey Thompson, who founded petfriendlytravel.com in 2000 after she looked for a rental house on the California coast that she could share with her two large Leonbergers and couldn't find one.

"Attitudes have changed about pets," she said. "Pets never used to be considered part of the family the way they are now. You wouldn't leave your kid behind. Why would you leave your pet behind?"

In the decade that Thompson's site has existed, thousands of bed-and-breakfasts, rental houses and hotels around the globe have joined the pet parade, designating rooms or whole properties as Fido- and feline-friendly.

The most recent AAA PetBook includes more than 13,000 pet-friendly lodging options across North America.

New to the pet-friendly travel business is Gloria Cipri Kemer, who has owned the Emerald Necklace Inn in Fairview Park for a dozen years and recently designated one room for traveling pets and their owners. She's fielded calls for years from travelers who asked if they could bring their four-legged family members. Now she can say yes.

The experiment has gone well, she said. "People who travel with their pets are pretty intense caretakers," said Kemer, who charges an extra $25 for dogs, which covers the cost of a more rigorous cleaning after checkout. Pets are not allowed in the main rooms of the house, and they can't be left unattended in the bedroom.

Her location adjacent to the Cleveland Metroparks' Rocky River Reservation is a bonus. "It's a great environment for pet lovers," said Kemer, who offers guests a list of doggy day-care providers in case they have meetings or other appointments where their dog is not welcome.

But as far as the industry has come in accommodating pets, it could do more, says Gloria Turski of Mayfield, who frequently travels with her Chihuahua, Taco.

Fancy beds and dog treats -- offered by some upscale hotel chains -- are less important than close-by green space, pet-friendly dining, on-call pet sitters and a pool area where her dog is welcome.

Her favorite pet-friendly destination so far is Duck, N.C., in the Outer Banks, where dogs are allowed on the beach off-leash, and restaurants have abundant outdoor seating.

Frank and Diane Hoard of Brunswick recently returned from an eight-day tour of New England with Ginger, their 11-year-old Toller (Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever). Among their travel strategies: Check in advance for locations of Choice brand hotels (Comfort Inn, Clarion, EconoLodge and others), many of which are pet-friendly; scope out restaurants with outside eating spaces; and plan days around dog-friendly outdoor venues like parks and pedestrian malls.

"We plan trips so Ginger can go with us," said Frank Hoard. "She really is part of our family."

Among their frequent destinations: New York City, where they hang out in Central Park and stroll the streets of the Upper West Side. Stores frequently put water bowls out for four-legged passers-by; some shop owners even invite the dogs (and their owners) in.

Barking up the wrong tree

But traveling with pets isn't always a day in the park.

Thompson said pet owners frequently underestimate the stress their animals may feel in strange surroundings.

Many hotels that allow animals prohibit pets from being left unattended in rooms. Thompson knows why. Years ago, she left her dog behind when she went out to eat at a fancy resort. She returned to a very irritated message from the hotel management: "Your dog barked nonstop the entire time you were gone."

"I was mortified," she said. "Of course I didn't know my dog would bark."

The moral: "You never can be sure what your dog is going to do in a strange situation," she said. Previously nonaggressive dogs may become agitated and impulsive, and even the calmest dogs are probably going to make some noise when left alone.

Maria Dietz of Concord Township had a similar experience recently when she took Douglas, her Bichon Frise-poodle mix, to the Homestead resort in Hot Springs, Va. The dog shrieked and barked every time Dietz attempted to leave the room. So she had to hire a pet sitter to stay with Douglas while she enjoyed the resort.

"That was an expense we didn't anticipate," said Dietz, who also travels with Douglas on her frequent trips to Florida.

Keep your paws off

Not everyone, of course, is excited about the increasing number of four-legged travelers.

There has been backlash in some communities, particularly as restaurants and bars increasingly allow dogs. A controversial Florida law gives local communities the right to decide whether to permit dogs on restaurant patios.

And in New York City's drinking establishments -- where dogs were tacitly permitted but never officially sanctioned -- the health department recently began a crackdown on bars that allow dogs inside.

One woman, a frequent traveler from Shaker Heights, said she purposely avoids hotels that advertise themselves as pet-friendly.

"There is nothing like being awakened by a barking dog!" she wrote in an email. "I never had a dog and never wanted one, and I don't want one sharing my space, nuzzling me, licking me, barking at me or peeing on me."

Fortunately, the friends who joined me at Deep Creek Lake last month didn't feel the same way. I found a lovely house -- five bedrooms, overlooking the lake -- that welcomed 12 humans and one miniature poodle (albeit for an extra fee of $45).

Much of the travel I do -- rushing around, checking out new attractions -- is not conducive to taking a pet (and I am very lucky to have neighbors who adore my dog and care for her when we're on the road).

This trip, however, was different. Our days were spent leisurely exploring the erupting fall scenery of western Maryland. And at night, we crowded around the dinner table playing cards, soaked in a hot tub and roasted marshmallows around a backyard bonfire.

Wherever we were, Pepper was in the middle of it -- leading the way on hikes through two nearby state parks, on the lookout for squirrels and other wild animals in the backyard, forever hoping for handouts in the kitchen.

Exhausted from so much excitement, she collapsed in the van on our way home. She looked so very content, asleep amid the suitcases.

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2011/10/push_for_pet-friendly_rooms_ma.html

Pet Scams

PET SCAMS



Puppies - Kittens - Horses

While there are many legitimate websites offering pets for sale and pet transportation services, there are also many scams on the Internet and the problem is continuing to grow at an alarming rate.

What used to be "puppy scams" has grown to include birds, horse and other types of family pets.

Puppies, kittens or horses being offered for sale or given free (who do not even exist) and are to be transported by XYZ or by REX company (illegal use of our name).

You can recognize the scam immediately if they ask you to transfer by:

- Western Union
- Money Gram
- Cash

If the country Cameroon is mentioned then this should have your alarm bells ringing.

NO animals travel under these conditions.

If the company does exist, they may not even be aware that their company is listed as the shipping company. The unsuspecting buyer completes the payment for the puppy, kittens or horses then calls XYZ or REX company to find out when their puppy, kittens or horse will arrive. Only REX company has never even heard of the breeder who sold them. These puppies, kittens or horses are being offered at below breeder rates with mysterious pedigrees or given against good care.

Across France, US, Europe for only 170 Euro ($) or across Switzerland for CHF. 400.- or Horse by plane for 600 Euro and delivery within 48 hours. All these prices are bogus.

----- Do not even attempt to make contact -----

If you are in contact with any breeder, you must get copies of their vaccination papers, Chip number and any necessary paperwork. Do not send money by any means such as money transfer.

Other sites regarding theses scams
http://www.petsonthenet.co.nz/scam
http://www.qualitydogs.com/scams.asp
http://www.terrificpets.com/scams/
http//www.fraudwatchers.org

Arnaque Chiots

ARNAQUE CHIOTS


Hund - Kats - Pferde - Tier

Im Internet gibt es viele legitime Webseiten, die Tiere verkaufen oder transportieren. Leider wächst auch die Rate von Betrügern die mit Tieren unsaubere Geschäfte machen.

Sie erkennen den Betrug sofort, wenn sie fragen Sie per Überweisung:

- Western Union
- Money Gram
- Cash.

Keine Tiere reisen unter diesen Bedingungen.

Es werden Welpen zum Verkauf angeboten (welche nicht mal existieren) und werden mit der Firma XYZ zum Transport angeboten. Den Namen dieses Unternehmen kann reine Erfindung sein oder tatsächlich existieren. Falls es ein existierendes Unternehmen ist, ist es gut möglich, dass diese keine Ahnung davon haben, dass sie als Versender angegeben wurden. Der ahnungslose Käufer überweist den Betrag für den Welpen und ruft dann die Firma XYZ oder REX an um heraus zu finden wann der Welpe ankommt. Nur REX hat noch nie von diesem Züchter gehört. Diese Welpen werden unter dem normalen Züchterpreis angeboten und zu unglaublichen Transportpreisen (z.B. für EUR 170.00 durch ganz Frankreich). When coming accross such an e-mail or internet page do NOT contact.

Falls Sie in Kontakt mit einem Züchter sind, fragen Sie vorab nach Kopien der Impfzeugnisse, Microchip-Nr. und jeglichen anderen benötigten Unterlagen.

Arnaque Chiots

ARNAQUE CHIOTS


Chiots - Chatons - Chevaux

Vous recevez un email tel que:

Je suis un éleveur Afrique centrale, Bénin, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Cameroon etc qui ont des chiots, perroquets, juments, chevaux, des bouledogue anglais tout de race pure, ils ont 13 semaines,males et femelles vaccinées,tatoues, ont leur pedigree et ont aussi toutes leurs certificats de santé.

Vous pouvez reconnaitre l'arnaque tout de suite car il demande un transfère par:

- Western Union
- Money gram
- Cash.

Ceci n'existe pas dans le monde du transport animaux.

Ou je vous donne mon chiots, cheval contre bon soins, adopter les pour 300€ - 400 Euro ou des chevaux par avion pour 600 euro avec livraison inclus par société XY ou (REX Transport). Utilisation illégale de notre nom.

Des trajets en 24 heures à travers, l'Europe, les US, la Suisse ou la France pour seulement 170 Euro ($) ou CHF. 400.- ou Euro 600 pour des chevaux par avion

...............Tout cela n'est qu'une arnaque.............

Ne faîtes AUCUN versement d'argent par Western Union

Ne répondez surtout pas à ces emails. Si vous êtes en contact avec un éleveurs, demander toujours, les copies des vaccinations, numéro de la puce et faites des vérification. 
Pas de site, nom bizarre, pays tel que Cameroon ou autres attention.....

About Rex Express

About REX

With a transport industry growing at 200% per year, the animal world suffers from a lack of laws which have an effect on proper care during transit. Our philosophy and determination is improving on and adding to existing procedures. The core business of Rex Express is the transportation of animals and ensuring their transition is as smooth as possible.


Ethics in any business is a powerful subject for debate. REX entered the field of animal transport for specific reasons.

The animal world is intricately intertwined with the human species. Every action we take against nature has a reaction in the animal kingdom and every action the animal makes has a direct impact on our life.

Over the Pacific, an area hit by the "Global Warming" which changed the temperature by just 1 degree. That degree eradicated the plankton that certain types of fish feed on. No fish means no food or business for the local fisherman. These changes show how our lives can really benefit by learning how to protect the living creatures of this planet and thus ourselves.

To better understand is to be better informed. Collecting information is vital and we combine the data with our ever widening experience of transporting animals; noting and observing positive and negative effects during transit. This flexible approach allows us to adapt to the needs of each creature in our care.

REX develops this concept to constantly update our knowledge and experience in order to be in a better position to change attitudes. We follow regulations to the letter and work to create new regulations regarding care in transit and displacement effects which are our primary objectives.


What we do know is that it will be better for any animal to travel with us than in the cargo hold of any airline or trucking service whose core business is not animal transport.

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