Story originally appeared on Timeshares Only.

Travel Tips

There’s nothing more exciting than making the decision to take that vacation you’ve been looking forward to ! Everyone finally agrees on that perfect location and you are ready to start making all the plans . Unfortunately, you forgot to consult someone else: your pet. It can be very stressful (not to mention expensive) to board your pet and not bring them along. You’ll also miss each other terribly and they might even start to wonder if you’re ever coming back! Once they give you THAT look, you both know they are going to be tagging along! It’s time to start looking for a pet-friendly timeshare resort. Here is what you need to know when you vacation with pets.

Pet Friendly Resorts

As you think about the right pet-friendly timeshare vacation for your family, consider your pets needs, too. Not everyone’ s pets are the same. While one resort may be great for a cat or small dog, it may be too small for larger breeds. Large pets deserve more room to run , while smaller animals may enjoy a more cozy area. Research the resort you are considering and ensure the needs of your furry family members are met.

Vacations make memories that will last a lifetime and can now include your whole  family . Consider vacation ownership at a resort thats pet-friendly and takes the stress out of family holidays. A pet-friendly timeshare can be the solution that makes everyone happy, including your furry family member. Timeshares are the perfect accommodation for animals. Resorts provide enough space to roam around and play as well as luscious grounds for long walks. Best of all, your pet will know their family is close by.

Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals

Some pet friendly vacation spots are located within Westgate, Marriott and Hilton resorts. While some resorts consider themselves pet-friendly, this could mean a couple things. Pets may be allowed in rooms but not common areas, or they may be allowed in both. Additionally, it could just mean that the resort has an onsite kennel for your fluff ball. Before your trip, be sure to call the resort directly for the most up to date pet policies.

Pet Friendly Timeshares for Sale

If you’re looking to own a piece of your favorite resort, timeshare is the way to go. Always having that home away from home, secured annual vacations, and tons of memories, timeshares are perfect for you and your loved ones (even the furry loved ones!). Did you know 85 percent of people who own timeshares are happy with their ownership, according to the American Resort and Development Association ? Not to mention, the average hotel room is 325 sq/ft, while 70 percent of timeshares are two-bedroom units with an average of 1,160 sq/ft. If you’re not quite ready to buy a timeshare , no worries. Below we have a few locations of pet-friendly timeshares that also have units for rent or sale

Tips On Traveling With Your Pet

First things first, make sure your pet has a micro-chip. Even though we don’t like to think about it, something could go wrong and your pet could get lost! In addition to the microchip, always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification. Its also a good idea to make a temporary tag with the dates and location where you’ll be staying on your vacation.

Planning ahead is key. Always make sure you have plenty of food and water on hand. Four hours before the trip, feed your pet and ensure they are hydrated.

Before You Go

Just before you get in the car to leave, make sure your pet has a chance to use the bathroom. Some pets will need to go in a carrier if it keeps them from having any accidents. A few weeks before your trip, make sure to leave the cage or carrier out in the open to let your pet get used to it. If you are traveling by airplane, always make sure you keep an eye on the weather where you are traveling to. The airlines will not allow any pets in cargo if the touch down location is colder than 45 degrees or hotter than 85 degrees. If you are flying to a hot, tropical location, schedule a flight for nighttime. If you are visiting somewhere cold, pick a flight during the day.

Before you leave for your vacation, take your pet to the veterinarian for a quick check-up. Believe it or not, pets can also get car-sick, sea-sick, and super stressed out during long trips. Your vet may be able to prescribe some medication to make your pet more comfortable during your upcoming travels. Make sure you bring along all of your pets favorite things. Having familiar items and keeping his routine relatively the same will help calm your pets fears and make him feel like he never left home. For more information on the U.S. Air Travel Regulations for traveling with pets, click here .

Disney Dog Boarding

You may have heard about Disney’s dog boarding . While Disney does provide some options for bringing your pet on vacation, no animals other than service animals are allowed in the parks. See here for Disney’s complete information on fur baby boarding.

The Best Way to Travel with Pets

When you arrive at your pet-friendly resort and check in, ask the front desk or staff if there are any animal-friendly amenities around that area. There may be pet-friendly restaurants with outside seating so you can bring your furball with you. Any nearby dog park would also be a great treat!

Make sure to be courteous to the other guests staying at your pet friendly vacations resort. Strangers will have less patience with dogs barking at two in the morning, especially when they’re on vacation! Upon arrival, take your dog on a walk around the resort and allow them to become more familiar with their surroundings.

If your pet is allowed on your furniture at home, make sure to bring a sheet or blanket to cover the bed so they don’t ruin the bedspread while making themselves at home. Also, use the resorts towels or extra sheets to cover any chairs or window seats.

If you need to leave your pet alone in your timeshare for any reason, make sure they are crated and you place some sort of Do Not Disturb sign on the door. Give the front desk your cell number in case anything goes wrong while you’re gone. Most resort rooms aren’t cleaned every day, so always schedule a time with the maids when you can have your furball out of the room. Nothing would make your pet more upset than being stuck in a strange place with a strange person, especially when you aren’t there to keep them at ease.

For When You Arrive

As soon as you arrive in your room, place your pets food and water out. Make sure it is in an obvious and accessible area for them. If they have a bed, place that out, too. Play with them right away so they emulate your playfulness and calm demeanor. They will see that this place is fun and they shouldn’t be scared. Another beneficial tip is to turn on the TV or music. The sounds may be familiar to them and make them feel more at ease. If your animal requires walks, take them out more than usual. This allows them to get out and stretch, tire themselves out and give plenty of opportunities to do their business.

P et friendly timeshares understand your desire to have your four-legged friends close by and have made a special arrangement to make it a great and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Come discover new adventures with your pet as you explore new sights and sounds and with pet-friendly timeshares for sale and rent all over the country . Hopefully, these helpful pet friendly vacation hints will allow you to fully relax and enjoy your vacation with ALL your family members!