SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With Americans gearing up for summer travel, DogVacay, the service connecting traveling dog owners with a pet sitter in their neighborhood, today released its second annual State of U.S. Pet Travel study. The survey provides a comprehensive look at the challenges traveling dog owners face.
Whether planning vacations far in advance or taking a spontaneous trip out of town, the survey reveals several surprising results around the impact owning a dog can have on travel. This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of DogVacay from April 7th – 9th, 2014 among 2,025 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 986 were dog owners.
When it comes to planning travel or vacation, six in ten (60%) dog owners say arranging accommodations for their dog has an impact on their vacation plans. The results show that 34% of dog owners say they often struggle to find a pet sitter in a pinch for spontaneous travel, and of those 60% of dog owners who say making arrangements for their dog(s) has an impact on their vacation plans, 22% have delayed or skipped a planned vacation altogether due to challenges in making arrangements for their dog(s).
“We’re thrilled to share our 2nd Annual State of U.S. Pet Travel study and to continue the discussion about the challenges pet owners face when planning travel,” said Aaron Hirschhorn, Founder/CEO and “Top Dog” of DogVacay. “Our dogs are our family too, and pet parents shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to travel. DogVacay was founded for dog owners to leave their pet in a loving and safe local home, so they can enjoy their vacation with complete peace of mind.”
Missed Moments
In the past year, 14% of dog owners have missed important life events, such as an out of town wedding or family gathering, because they did not want to leave their dog(s) behind. Here’s what they missed:
- 69% say they missed a spur-of-the-moment trip out of town.
- 56% say they missed family events.
- 53% say they missed hanging out with friends.
- 22% say they have missed work events.
- 13% say they missed a wedding, while 7% say they missed some other important life event.
Vacation Planning
Dog owners preparing for vacation who are impacted by making arrangements for their dog(s) have an added layer of complexity when it comes to finding the best arrangement for their pets.
- Half (50%) say finding a good kennel or pet sitter has affected planning for their vacation.
- Over a quarter (27%) say financial challenges such as kennel fees or paying a pet deposit at a hotel have impacted their vacation plans.
Can’t Travel With Fido, Can’t Travel Without
It’s apparent that the challenges facing dog owners are relevant whether or not their pup comes along on the trip.
- 46% of dog owners agree that worrying about their dog(s) while they’re away makes it harder to enjoy their trip.
- Over four in ten (43%) dog owners agree traveling with their dog(s) makes it harder to enjoy their trip.
- Almost three in five (57%) dog owners agree they don't trust kennels to give their dog(s) the care they deserve.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of DogVacay from April 7 – 9, 2014 among 2,025 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 986 were dog owners. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Corinna Pieloch with DogVacay.
About DogVacay
DogVacay is an online and mobile community that connects dog parents in need of pet-care services (home dog boarding, pet sitting, doggie daycare) with qualified pet caregivers. Forget the kennel! Find a dog sitter in your neighborhood with DogVacay.com. We have thousands of vetted and insured dog lovers across the country ready to watch your dog like a member of their family. Simply browse hosts in your area, schedule and book online or through the mobile app. All reservations include complimentary insurance, 24/7 customer support, and daily photo updates. DogVacay was founded by husband and wife team, Aaron and Karine Hirschhorn in March 2012.
DogVacay is on the web at http://dogvacay.com/. Follow DogVacay on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram.
About Nielsen & The Harris Poll
On February 3, 2014, Nielsen acquired Harris Interactive and The Harris Poll. Nielsen Holdings N.V. (NYSE: NLSN) is a global information and measurement company with leading market positions in marketing and consumer information, television and other media measurement, online intelligence and mobile measurement. Nielsen has a presence in approximately 100 countries, with headquarters in New York, USA and Diemen, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.nielsen.com.
