VOLUME 1  |  April 2005
Professional Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers: How to Make Travelling With Your Pet Even Easier
by LARA WILLIS, ALL CANADIAN PET SERVICES NETWORK


Pet Sitters provide a valuable service to pet parents. Whether you are planning a vacation, or must travel for an unforeseen family crisis, a pet sitter is often available and capable of caring for your pets at your chosen travel destination...
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Spotlight: Saskatchewan - WIN A PET PRIZE PACK!


Did you know that Saskatchewan is home to 100,000 lakes and rivers? Learn more about 'Canada's Bread Basket', and exciting upcoming events in the province as it celebrates its centenary this year, in this month's spotlight. Check out our Saskatchewan photo contest for your chance to win a great prize pack courtesy of Pets Can Stay and Tourism Saskatchewan!
Read more >
 




Feature Book Review:
21 DAYS TO TRAIN YOUR DOG

Our resident dog trainer, Kathy Reilly, examines Colin Tennant's new hardcover book 21 Days to Train Your Dog, and the concept that "any dog can be taught the basics of obedience training in just a few minutes each day", in this month's feature book review... 
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Pets Can Stay - Petplan Travel Card:
EARN PETS CAN STAY TRAVEL DOLLARS WITH YOUR BOOKINGS!


The Pets Can Stay - Petplan Travel Card allows you to access preferred rates and earn real Travel Dollars when you book into any Pets Can Stay certified property. Simply ask for your free travel card when you use our free accommodation booking service. It's that easy!
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Pets Can Stay Cottage/Chalet Resort Corner:
 

As we gladly welcome the onset of Spring, many pet owners turn their thoughts to planning a much needed getaway to the countryside. Pets Can Stay Certified Cottage & Chalet resorts offer private, well-equipped accommodations in scenic locales, and an ability to make guests with pets feel right at home. This month’s feature highlights two properties that represent the best of East and West: Tyrolean Village Resort in Collingwood, ON and Driftwood Village Resort on Galiano Island, BC.... Read more >



PCS News:


New PCS Online Resource Directory
Pets Can Stay is expanding its online Resources section into a pet & travel services directory! For information on how you can have your pet-related business listed and target the pet travel market, click here.


New Additions

Pets Can Stay is pleased to announce the most recent additions to the Pets Can Stay family of accommodation providers... Read more >
 
Kudos to Accent Inns
Congratulations to Accent Inns, and its 5 Pets Can Stay Certified locations, for winning the 2005 Business Leadership Award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. 
Read more >


Heading to Western Canada?
Pets Can Stay property designations are now available online at www.hellobc.com and www.explorealberta.com, courtesy of Tourism BC and the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association!

                                                             (image courtesy of Travel Alberta)

Events:
 
PCS EVENT CONTEST UPDATES
 
Congratulations to Mike MacFarlane of Delta, BC, for winning the Pet Expo Vancouver 2005 Grand Prize Getaway, including 2 nights at Delta Whistler Village Suites, transportation provided by Gentleman Jim 's Limousine Service Inc. Vancouver, and Deluxe Pet Gift Basket provided by Pets Can Stay and its promotional partners: Modern Dog, Petcurean, Petplan, and Random House of Canada.

Congratulations to the following contestants who won our Pets Can Stay getaway draw at the recent K9 Cliffhangers Cloverdale Agility Trials in March:

Joan Strick -   One night for two with your pet at the Ramada Limited Surrey-Langley in Surrey, BC.
 
Suzanne Fryer - One night for two with your pet at the Ramada Hotel & Suites Surrey-Guildford in Surrey, BC.

Pets Can Stay would like to thank our promotional partners for the event

 

Surrey/Langley
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EVENTS CALENDAR

Check out the latest pet-related events across Canada that are coming soon...
Read more >



ATTENTION EVENT ORGANIZERS!

Pets Can Stay is proud to work with pet-related events across the country! From free travel services to special event accommodation rates to prizes, Pets Can Stay can add value to your upcoming event!  Click here to find out more.

      



PET Extras:  STATS, SURVEYS, AND MORE...

Did you know?
 
  • Among pet-toting travellers, dogs are the most common type of pet to take along - 78%. 15% of travellers bring their cats, 2% travel with birds and 3% are accompanied by either a ferret, rabbit, or fish. (2002, Travel Poll - Travel Industry Association of America).
  • 22% of dog owners say that they avoid overnight stays because of their concern that their pet will not be allowed. (2000, Market research study for Ralston Purina - Yankelovich)
  • 82% of dog owners said they are under the impression that most upscale hotels don't accept dogs, and, if they do, 48% said it is reluctantly. 16% of dog owners have even admitted to smuggling their pet into hotels that ban dogs.  (2003, Dogs and Travel: An Attitudinal Study of Dog Owners by Starwood Hotels & Resorts - Lieberman Research Worldwide).

FAQ: What cruise lines accept pets?

This is certainly one of the most common questions we receive at Pets Can Stay Travel Services. The answer, is that the vast majority of the major cruise lines (including Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Norwegian and Celebrity) do not allow pets, with the exception of guide/service animals. Cruise lines are generally poorly outfitted to accommodate pets, both in terms of areas for pets to sleep as well as areas for pets to relieve themselves. In addition, because cruise ships often visit multiple ports, there are immediate issues surrounding how each destination deals with pet visitors. Many regions, such as Hawaii and Jamaica, have very strict quarantine periods and regulations for importing pets, making it difficult for the cruise line to accept pet passengers under such circumstances.

Cunard, however, does allow pets on the QE2 and the QM2 for select Transatlantic crossings. Both ships are equipped with air-conditioned kennels and pet exercise areas, and meals are included in the ticket price. There are restrictions, based on pet size, availability, etc., so it is a good idea to check with Cunard (www.cunard.com) well in advance to assess whether such a cruise would be suitable for you and your pet.

Pets Can Stay Travel Services Testimonial


(Miss Mew, Pee Wee & Newton)

"Our travel demands were so specific it was like rolling the roulette wheel to see if we would find appropriate accommodations. Relocating from Burlington, ON to Victoria, BC meant finding hotels all across Canada that would accommodate our driving agenda, my husband's Power Wheel Chair, his need for disabled friendly rooms, his 108 lb Black Lab Special Skills Service Dog, our two Ragdoll cats... oh yeah, and me. Pets Can Stay Travel Services turned the daunting task into a quick email and a new friend at the other end of the line. Pets Can Stay Travel Services caters to and understands those who love the fuzzy four legged ones. I would recommend this service to any of you!"


- Marnie O'Neil and Cam Cavaco,
Burlington, ON

Joke of the Month:

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel he planned to visit on his vacation: "I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who said, "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."
-submitted by:
 Melanie Harris
 Catering Coordinator 
 Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley
      



Pets Can Stay:  Assisting the traveller. Serving the industry.™

Travelling with pets has moved beyond a trend into a way of life for millions of North Americans. As the pet industry continues to demonstrate strong growth, and pet care product sales reach new highs, it comes as no surprise that many pet owners would prefer to bring their favourite companions with them on their trips.

Pets Can Stay is the national certification body for accommodations that accept pets, and we effectively bridge the gap between accommodation providers and pet-toting travellers in an effort to promote travelling with pets in Canada. Pets Can Stay works closely with accommodation providers to develop and market their pet guest programs while providing full travel service booking and assistance to travellers with pets. For more information on the Pets Can Stay program, and how a property can become certified, please visit www.petscanstay.com.



Stay Up To Date:  SUBSCRIBE TO THE PCS NEWSLETTER!

If you have received this newsletter from a friend and would like to subscribe to our free monthly PCS Travel Services newsletter click here.

If you have comments or questions about this newsletter or Pets Can Stay Travel Services, we would like to hear from you! Please email us at info@petscanstaytravel.com or click here for additional contact information.

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Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant, QC

Situated on the shores of Lake Ouimet, Le Grand Lodge offers deluxe accommodation, fine dining, a spa and much more, amongst a stunning backdrop of forest and mountains. Pamper yourself, and your pet, with an escape to Le Grand Lodge in beautiful Mont-Tremblant!
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SPECIAL EVENT COMING SOON!

DOGMANIA in Ottawa

Pets Can Stay and Wellington on the Bay Bed & Breakfast, our premium certified property in Prince Edward County ON, are proud sponsors of Dogmania, a first time ever fundraising event geared to dogs helping people and people helping dogs.

Read more >
 



Four Great Reasons to Buy Petplan Pet Health Insurance Today!

1) Peace of Mind

Out of sight - out of mind? It's human nature to avoid thinking about the bad things that could happen to your pet. Pet insurance was designed to assist you with the costs involved with treatment for your pet in the case of illness or injury.

By maintaining coverage for your dog or cat, you allow yourself to be free of the worry that you won’t be able to care for your pet when it becomes necessary.

2) Helping with the Decision

Are you putting off buying pet insurance until you can “afford it”? For less than the cost of going to a movie for two each month, you can protect your pet’s health. What you may not be able to afford is the unexpected veterinary fees associated with an illness or injury.

Imagine being forced to make a decision on your family pet’s health based purely on economics, and not the emotional value of your pet to your family. When you think you can’t afford pet insurance, is when you actually need it most.

3) Financing Your Pet’s Health

Pet insurance is a great way to budget and control the cost of keeping your pet healthy. You always know what your monthly costs will be, which assists in balancing your monthly finances.

To own a pet, you should be able to feed it, provide shelter and love, and also be able to care for it in the event of an emergency. Petplan helps you do just that, freeing you up to focus your attention and affection on your family pet during that trying time.

4) Protection from the Unexpected

When people choose their dog or cat, they often plan for how compatible that species or breed will be with their lifestyle. Few people budget for the common illnesses and medical problems associated with their pet’s type or breed, or for the additional accidents or mishaps that occur over the course of an average pet’s life.

Incidents such as ear infections, scraps with other pets and swallowing foreign objects are just a few possibilities. Petplan’s pet health insurance is your way of preparing for the costs of these unforeseen occurrences. You can enjoy your time with your dog or cat knowing that you are prepared for life’s little unexpected emergencies.

Petplan would be happy to answer any questions you may have about pet health insurance. Visit their website at www.petplan.com or call 1.800.268.1169 to speak to a professional insurance representative.
 

Copyright 2005 Pets Can Stay Canada Inc.  All Rights Reserved