Can I travel with my
pets? Yes! RVers travel most commonly with dogs or cats though I’ve heard of
birds, fish and horses too. Whichever pet you travel with, have a health
certificate and a record of their shots. Some RV parks do not allow pets or
restrict the number, size or breed so check ahead.
While most RVers are
responsible pet owners, the few who aren’t can jeopardize the ability of all
pet owners to stay in a park. Here are a few reminders for being a good
neighbor:
• Keep your pet on 6-foot leash and under your
control. A child should not walk a dog unless he is strong enough to handle it.
Even a normally docile dog can be attacked by another or get scared. Cats should
be in a harness and on a leash if they come outside the RV.
• Take your dog right to the area designated for
dog walking. Other guests do not appreciate have males dogs use their tires as
posts or leave deposits on their site.
• Pick up after your pet. Carry a plastic bag or
two so you are prepared.
• Do not allow your pet to cut across or through
other RV sites. That is the guest’s “private property” for the time they are
here.
• Leave your pet in your RV when you visit the
restrooms, laundry or office.
• Don’t leave your pet unattended outside your
rig. All sorts of calamities could occur. Someone walk through your site and
upset your pet, a loose dog bother yours, a child approaches your pet, a coyote
could snatch a small pet even in an RV park. Someone could even take your pet.
Don’t take a chance.
Remember, no matter how
friendly and well-behaved your pet is, some people are deathly afraid of animals
or allergic. Make sure the other person welcomes attention. Be prepared to
educate people, especially children, on how to approach and pet your dog or
cat.
Leaving your pet alone in
the RV
Another helpful hint is to
teach your dog not to bark more than once. A noisy dog will be most unwelcome,
especially if it barks continuously at everything that walks by. Squirt guns and
other devices can assist with training.
When leaving your pet in the
RV while you are gone, make sure the temperature stays comfortable. Leaving the
AC on or a TV or radio on low volume will mask outside noises. If you will be
gone an extended time, check to see if someone in the park could walk your dog
while gone. Perhaps another guest who is a pet owner would do it for you or you
could trade days so you could each enjoy the area.
Pets are great companions and
can add to your travels. Dogs, particularly, love to check out new territory.
However, follow the rules at the RV park or campground plus the above reminders
and everyone will enjoy having you as a neighbor.
If this article did not answer all of your RV, RVing or RV Lifestyle
questions, go to our FREE
Ask An RV Question Page and we will get you the answers you need.
If you have written an article about RVing,
Camping or the Great Outdoors and you would like us to publish it on
Everything-About-RVing.com, please visit our
Submit An Article Page.
We hope this information has been helpful to you.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions
please
Contact Us and help us make Everything-About-RVing.com
better.