Animal House: WA Pet Lovers (Seattle, Puyallup: transporting, rentals, daycare)

[LMB]

The thread about finding pet-friendly rentals was getting off course, so here's a new thread for all things pet-related.

There were some questions and comments posted regarding moving with pets, and we just experienced a cross-country, 3800 mile move from Orlando to the Seattle area with our 13-year-old golden retriever and two 18-year-old cats. Our dog rode in the car with us, and the cats flew out with our son & his fiance a week after we arrived. We had no problems at all finding pet-friendly hotels for our 7-day road trek, but I made the reservations in advance. I don't think I would have had to--there are so many pet-friendly hotels now. Here are some of the hotel chains we used, but several other chains and independents are pet-friendly also. There are excellent resources online, but I don't think I can post the links here--just do a Google search or send me a Direct Message for more info. We stayed in a couple of Best Westerns, a La Quinta, Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn. It wasn't an easy trip for our senior citizen dog, but she was a trooper and the end result was sure worth it! When we finally arrived at our new house, she hobbled out of the car and flopped belly-down into our backyard creek with the biggest smile on her face!

Our cats rode inside the plane cabin, in their carriers under the seat in front, with our son and his fiance. They traveled very well--not a peep out of them! The cats that is! Most airlines will NOT allow any pets to have any tranquilizers or sedatives, unless ordered by a vet. Evidently it is safer for them to travel without being sedated. Just FYI.

I worried for months before our move about moving the pets, but it turned out to be relatively painless. Just do your research, and be prepared for all possibilities. We carried food, treats, a few toys, meds, etc, and a portable cloth water bowl in the car with us, along with plenty of bottled water. I didn't think our dog would actually drink out of the bowl in the car (she didn't care for it in any of my pre-trip trials), but she did without any hesitation. We stopped for potty breaks fairly often. Bring lots of baggies!

The weather was too hot to leave her in the car while my husband and I had lunch, so we'd stop at places that had outdoor eating areas. At the hotels, we'd usually get take-out and bring it to the room. All the hotels had a policy of not leaving pets in your room unattended. We got away with it for the continental breakfasts usually, but let's say we spent more time hanging with our sweet doggie during that trip than ever before!

OK--just a thread starter. This is the "Animal House." C'mon in and talk pets!

Lynn

[Susandsb]

Thanks for the great info Lynn! For me, it's not worrying so much about the actual move down there (I will be moving from Alaska to the Poulsbo/Indianola area) it's what to do with them once I arrive! From transporting them from the airport (we'll have to rent a big van!), to finding a rental prior to buying that will take them! We have 4 dogs and 3 cats! I'm pretty sure the vast majority of landlords will laugh in my face!Understandably! Are there good boarding houses in the area that anyone knows of? I've never boarded any of them before, but I might have to for a bit. Any other ideas???

[KidBlue]

'Rocco suggested starting a new thread, so here it is. I also have two large dogs--Alaskan Malamute who came from a rescue in Nevada and a German Shepherd/Husky who came from a rescue in Oregon. It can get frustrating traveling with the fur children, and it's also hard to find care if we leave them behind. We usually have my dh's parents doggie sit our house and the kids but the parents are getting older so they aren't always phsically able to take care of the kids.

I would appreciate any advice or information anyone comes across regarding places to stay that take pets (and aren't a total dump!), and traveling with pets. I always get a kick out of motels that will accept "one" dog of "no more than 15 pounds." I think my Mal's head alone weighs more than 15 pounds!

I'd like to bring them with me on our next visit, but I haven't found any vacation rentals that will accept pets--at least not around the Harstine Island, Elma/Shelton/Hoodsport/Lake Cushman areas.

[KidBlue]

So I started one too!

Thanks for the information on traveling with your pets. I have heard too many horror stories of dogs that died or got sick on planes, so I think I would have to take them in the car. One of our dogs spent his first year in the Klamath Falls, Oregon Humane Society, so it would be hard to kennel him again. I will be buying an SUV in a few months so the dogs (Malamute and German Shepherd) can travel in comfort with me and dh. I'm really having trouble finding decent places to rent in western WA to spend a week or two that will take pets.

[scirocco22]

(merged the two threads ...thanks, Kidblue)

[LMB]

Originally Posted by Susandsb

Are there good boarding houses in the area that anyone knows of? I've never boarded any of them before, but I might have to for a bit.

Susan, we're boarding our dog and cat for a week next month when we go back to Orlando for our son's wedding. This is our first experience with boarding since we moved here. Several other dog people and our wonderful vet recommended Alder Creek Pet Lodge (it has a Poulsbo address, but is located between Poulsbo and Silverdale). I went ahead and made our pets' reservations today and we're going to visit the facility later this week.

Have you tried Craigslist for rentals? There are often rural or semi-rural homes available that allow pets--even horses & goats. It will take some work, but I bet you can find a place that will allow your family pets, all of them!

Lynn

[Caffreys]

> I know of great place to leave your pets located in Puyallup, Wa up on South Hill off of Canyon Road. I absolute love this place and the staff is friendly and very caring of all pets. I take my dog to daycare their 3-4 times a week and he loves it there. I can board my dog there for weeks and not have to worry about him. The owner will e-mail you and let you know how your pet is doing everyday.
Checkout: Therea's Pet Care, No Place Like Home
They have:
Home Style Boarding
Country Cottages
Doggie Daycare
Cat Care
Obedience Training
Dog & Cat Grooming
Welcome to Theresa's No Place Like Home Page!
253-531-2422

[Tina Faust]

For traveling with pets, I have to second someone else's mention of La Quinta. When we drove here over 4 days from Arizona (we made it an easy relaxing drive) with our 2 dogs and 1 cat we stayed at La Quinta all the way up. They have the most hassle free no charge pet policy we have ever experienced. We made reservations prior to our trip to make sure we wouldn't have issues with vacancies...

The dogs are used to car trips so they traveled very well. The cat howled the first hour of every day, but turning up the radio usually helped that. He stayed in a cat carrier in the back seat. Even though we brought a litter box with us, he never used it when we gave him little breaks at lunch time. We found that giving him some cat nip settled him down faster.

We didn't leave our pets alone in the hotel, one of us would go get take out and we'd all relax in the rooms... we found the majority of the rooms to be spacious enough we were all comfortable. For the continental breakfast we would just go down one at a time and bring it back to the room. One of our dogs has a bit of separation anxiety in new places so we didn't want to risk him barking if we left for meals as the hotels do have a policy about leaving them unattended, besides I would be horrified if they bothered a neighboring guest.

Washington is a dog friendly state; you'll find lots of people bring their dogs out with them and if you go through the drive thru at a lot of places with a dog in the car they'll usually hand out a dog biscuit. :-)