A bow-wow trip

“The hotel ambience,the surroundings,the climate were all on our side. The three of us just let go of our stress and enjoyed. Gary had a gala time running,playing around the beach,swimming,” the couple remembers. Such was their experience that before the end of the year,Farzana,Noel and Gary were ready to take their second holiday to Dahanu.

The couple agrees that the cost factor may slightly exceed the rationed budget,but say,“It is really worth it,for the sake of our one and only Gary.”

Meet Anupama Vinayak,founder of Pet Vacations,a unique service which enables you to take a holiday along with your adored pooch or tabby,anywhere in India. “Today,we have a database of over 400 pet friendly hotels,resorts,service apartments and bungalows across India. We have even managed to rope in a few five-star hotels,” she explains. For a charge of Rs 500,Vinayak vouches to take care of the entire itinerary — starting with travel booking by road,train or air,to hotel bookings — and in certain cases,even customizing the pooch’s trip. Vinayak says,she has arranged several road trips from Mumbai to even considerably distant places like Bangalore. “Some hotels may charge anything between Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 extra to keep a pet. But in most cases,there is no extra charges involved,” she says. However,all the accommodations are only dog and cat friendly. “If you have any other pet that you would like to take along on a holiday,you’d have to check with us in advance about the hotel’s pet policy,” she specifies.

As vacation season begins,Vinayak is busy fielding calls and arranging trips. “The bookings are just starting,” she says,“but we are expecting them to pour in by May and June.” At a time the travel industry faces a slowdown,Vinayak remains confident that her business will only increase. “Pets are like babies and people would want to continue taking their ‘babies’ on trips. Besides,our clientele is the higher-income group who can afford to take a small vacation at least during the season,” she smiles,adding as an afterthought,“A 10 to 15 per cent drop in the bookings is possible”. Vinayak has also arranged several trips for foreigners visiting India with their pets.

Her website,www.petvacations.in,is a vibrant portal,offering clear information not just on travel details,but a plethora of other services,advices and entertaining tidbits. “A favourite service is organizing pet birthday parties. The arrangements includes grooming of the ‘birthday boy/girl’,decoration the room or outdoors venue,birthday invitation cards,snacks and games for pets,return gifts for pet’s friends,photography during the party and custom made vegetarian and non-veg pet/ animal cakes/ pastry and cookies by order,” she smiles.

Vacation rules
* Guest is responsible for any damage caused to the hotel property by the pet
* Pet owner must carry bed linen and pillow covers along. In case the pet sheds,sofas and all upholstery should be covered during stay
* Vaccination certificate should be carried
* Poop scooping is a must at all times in all locations
* Excessive barking should be checked
* Pets must be even-tempered,well behaved,sociable,and in good health
* Dogs should be leashed in any common area