Traveling with Pets
53.8% of all households in the United States own at least one pet
46.9% of all pet-owning households consider pets to be family members
U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics, American Veterinary Medical Association

“Fluffy and Fido are popular travel companions, with 14 percent of all U.S. adults (29.1million) saying they have traveled with a pet on a trip of 50 miles or more, one-way, away from home in the past three years. Dogs are the most common type of pet to takealong (78%). Cats came in a distant second with 15 percent of travelers taking theirfeline friend along. A few report traveling with birds (2%) and either a ferret, rabbit, orfish (3%). The percentage of households traveling with their pets most likely increases during the summer when more families travel on vacation. Auto or truck is the primarymode of transportation (76%), followed by RV (10%) and airline (6%). While travelers with pets most often stay with friends/relatives (32%), an almost equal number stay in a hotel or motel (29%).” Travel Industry Association of America

“A growing proportion of pets are now required to be impeccably groomed, and like
children, well behaved. These expectations tie into a number of related trends, including the ‘at-home’ trend in pet ownership, whereby Americans have become even more family focused post 9-11; the smaller animal trend, especially among urban dwellers, singles, and seniors; and the pet travel trend, whereby more people are opting to take their pets with them, in which case the critters need to know how to behave in public places like office buildings, hotels, and off-lead parks. In other words, families and singles want their pets fully socialized—quickly.” MarketResearch.com, Inc’s May 2004 report, The U.S. Market for Pet Care Services

“Dogs and Travel,” conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide for Starwood Hotels & Resorts found in a telephone survey of 400 dog owners that:
43% say their dog definitely seems sad when they travel
43% feel guilty about leaving their dog behind
23% said their pooch gets mad at them when they leave
78% of dog owners consider their dog an “equal member” of the family and that dogs enjoy their holidays as much as their people do.
37% would definitely take their dogs on more trips if they knew more hotels accepted dogs
75% said they would more loyal to a hotel chain that accepted dogs, even when they weren’t traveling wit their pet.
94% of dog owners said they ask how their dog is doing when they phone home
65% have brought a gift home for their dog
49% think about their dog “very often” when they’re away
26% of owners who call home actually talk to their dogs on the phone.
Fun Stats
Fun Pet Resources
For those of you traveling with dogs, I recommend www.dogtipper.com.  I know the writers personally.  The are some of the most respected travel writers in the travel industry.  Their site has some great resources for those of you traveling with your canine companion.  Here are some of there resources they graciously shared with GuidetoMIlitaryTravel.com.  Enjoy!
More "Traveling with Pets" information coming soon!