For solo travelers who don’t want to leave their pets behind, we conducted a Q&A with Glenn A. Polyn, editor-in-chief for Pet Age, and uncovered some valuable tips.
How does a solo traveler bring his / her pet on a plane?
“Planes are a tricky subject; it comes down to each individual airline’s policy. For a fee, and depending on the animal’s breed and size, some will allow small dogs and cats in the cabin of the aircraft.
“They also allow pets to be checked or transported with cargo, but it's best to check with the U.S. Department of Transportation and each airline for their rules on traveling with pets. Many cruise lines allow pets, but there’s only one that allows pets on its transatlantic cruises, and that would be Cunard and its ship, the Queen Mary 2.”
Are there any products that can help find lost pets while traveling?
“Wearable tech is a big trend for pets. There are plenty of hi-tech gadgets, such as collars, which incorporate GPS trackers that are connected with your phone via an app. They still don’t replace the microchip, which is injected under the skin. In fact, the International Standards Organization (ISO) has approved and recommended a global standard for microchips, which means ISO standard scanners would be able to read the dog’s microchip.”
What is the best type of hotel for solo travelers with pets?
“The number of hotels that allow pets is growing, but many of them charge a fee based on the animal’s size. Every hotel also has its own set of rules regarding pets, and some request that it not be left alone in the room. In that case, the hotel often will supply a list of local pet sitters for the traveler. Of course, you want to think of your pet’s needs when traveling, so be sure to do some research on your destination (some cities are now banning specific dog breeds) and ask hotel staff for the location of nearby parks.”
For more on pet travel, check out our tour of the pet-friendly facilities onboard the Queen Mary 2.