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Scott Beddall
Pets Can Stay Canada
(250) 413-3161
(250) 413-3110
info@petscanstay.com
www.petscanstay.com
Victoria, BC, November 1, 2004 - Pets Can Stay Canada (PCS) and Petplan unveiled the new Pets Can Stay-Pet Plan Travel Card at the Calgary Pet Expo this past weekend, officially kicking off a new marketing campaign aimed at promoting travel with pets. The first of its kind, the PCS-Petplan Travel Card provides pet-toting cardbearers with a number of benefits, including accrual of PCS Travel Dollars through the purchase of Petplan "Cover For Life" pet health insurance policies, preferred rates at Pets Can Stay certified properties across Canada, and entry into regular cardholder giveaways and contests. An initial batch of 5000 travel cards was released at the Calgary Pet Expo, with additional card batches scheduled for upcoming pet events across Canada.
A 2001 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association publicized that nearly 65 percent of Americans travel with their pet, up from 58 percent in 1995. The demographics of travelling pets and their owners are also changing. "The luxury of accompanying one's owner to a hotel is by no means restricted to the petite canine of the privileged traveller", comments Carla Lewis, Pets Can Stay's General Manager. "Not only do the majority of our certified properties fall within the 2 to 3 ½ Star/Diamond rating range, but over 46% accept cats and other types of pets, while over 74% accept pets of all sizes".
Tied in with the growing number of North American travellers opting to bring their pets with them on trips, the PCS-Petplan initiative will reach the more than 25,000 Petplan policy holders across Canada, as well as the general public via newsletters, website promotions and the new Travel Cards.
Pets Can Stay Canada is the national certification and marketing body for accommodation providers that accept pets. Catering to the pet-toting traveller, the Pets Can Stay program employs a system of policy guidelines, amenities criteria, and onsite inspections, for establishments wishing to enhance their guests' overall traveling experience. Properties certified under the Pets Can Stay banner range across the country, from small bed & breakfasts to 5 Star luxury resorts. In addition to property certification, Pets Can Stay's Travel Services division provides live, personal assistance and full travel booking services to people wanting to travel with their four-legged companions. This national service is provided free of charge to the general public.
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