For some of us, the thought of going on holidays without our pet, is out of the question. It’s not necessarily the inconvenience of finding someone trustworthy to look after them, but rather the idea of being away from our pets, that leads us to seek out a more pet friendly holiday. And let’s be honest, we’re not really talking so much about a fish or a hamster, or even a cat, it’s us dog owners that we’re really speaking of. For many of us our dogs rank right up there with our spouses or children, and the thought of leaving them behind is heartbreaking. So what we are really looking for is a dog friendly holiday.
Doggy holidays get easier to come by each year. The tourist industry is realizing that people do like to travel with their pets, and are making more and more concessions towards dog friendly holidays. The number one issue for a dog owner is to find suitable accommodations. Fortunately, when travelling in the UK and across Europe as well, there are many websites and books devoted to helping you find pet friendly lodging. These resources can help find everything from a small cottage rental to a farm house accommodating multiple dogs. There are bed and breakfasts, caravan parks, and self catering properties all willing to help your doggy have a fantastic holiday with you.
Whether taking a doggy friendly holiday within the UK or abroad, it is a good idea to check with DEFRA (The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) to ensure you have the most up to date information on re-entry with your dog.
If you’re leaning towards a beach holiday, we have found a few of the better choices in the UK. Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull, Scotland is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland and there are no restrictions for dogs, which makes for a great dog friendly holiday. Danes Dyke in Yorkshire is a smaller beach, which is designated as a local nature reserve. It is hidden at the end of a nature trail and offers an unspoiled, pet friendly area for your dog to run while on holiday.
Camber Sands Beach in East Sussex is a fantastic south coast beach destination for your doggy holiday. Dogs are limited to certain parts of the beach but there is still loads of room for them to roam.
No matter what your choice in accommodation or your destination, take the time to research and you are sure to find something to suit you and your dog on your dog friendly holiday.