Niched Summary
Traveling with pets is becoming more common—and more complicated. Pet businesses have a growing opportunity to guide and support their clients through it.
Why it matters:
As pet ownership rises and travel rebounds, businesses that help clients prepare and navigate trips with animals are becoming essential.
Pet Travel Is Booming—and Full of Challenges
Whether it’s a weekend road trip or an international flight, more people are choosing to bring their pets along for the ride. And with that shift comes an opportunity for pet businesses to offer real value—by helping their clients navigate the logistics, the stress, and the ever-changing rules of traveling with animals.
From boarding alternatives to documentation prep, grooming to gear, there’s a lot your business can do to become the go-to resource for pet parents on the move.
Why Travel Support Is a Smart Pet Business Move
When clients travel with pets, they face a flood of questions:
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Can my dog fly in-cabin or as cargo?
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What documents are required for a service animal?
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Are there health certificates or vaccines needed for international travel?
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What if I need temporary boarding abroad?
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How can I keep my pet calm during a long drive or flight?
If your business can answer even a few of these questions clearly—and with empathy—you’ve already separated yourself from competitors who don’t.
Plus, the demand is real. As of 2024, more than 53% of U.S. pet owners have traveled with their animals, according to Statista. That number is expected to climb as pet-centric hotels, airlines, and destinations increase.
How Pet Businesses Can Help
Here are five strategic ways to support traveling pet owners—and grow your business in the process:
1. Offer Pre-Travel Wellness Checks or Vaccine Clinics
Collaborate with a local vet or bring one in for pop-up travel checkups. Many airlines and countries require recent health certificates, rabies vaccines, or parasite treatments. You can offer this as a standalone service or bundle it with grooming and gear.
2. Create a Pet Travel Essentials Package
Think beyond a basic leash. Build travel kits that include:
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TSA-compliant food and water containers
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Calming chews or spray
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Foldable bowls
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Pee pads and pet-safe wipes
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Travel-sized grooming items
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Comfort toys
Offering these in-store or as an online add-on shows you’re thinking ahead for your customers.
3. Help With Paperwork and Destination Research
Most pet parents are unaware of the red tape involved in traveling with pets—especially internationally. Consider creating:
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A printable checklist for domestic and international travel
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Custom travel guides for frequent destinations
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In-store help days where your staff walks people through airline or USDA requirements
4. Provide Temporary Boarding or Travel-Day Services
For clients who can’t take their pets or need flexible options:
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Offer short-term boarding with flexible hours
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Provide drop-off day care before departure
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Partner with local pet sitters or walkers in their destination city
This kind of concierge-style support goes a long way in building loyalty and repeat business.
5. Educate About Emotional Support vs. Service Animals
The rules have changed—especially around flying with emotional support animals (ESAs). Your business can help clients understand:
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What qualifies as a service animal
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What documentation is (and isn’t) required
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How to avoid last-minute airline surprises
Consider hosting a short webinar or blog series that explains these evolving policies in plain language.
Your Role Isn’t Just Logistics—It’s Confidence
Helping clients travel with pets isn’t just about checklists. It’s about helping people feel confident and supported when making big decisions that involve a beloved companion.
Pet owners often feel nervous or overwhelmed about the process—especially if it’s their first time. When your business shows up as a resource, not just a vendor, you build trust that lasts long after the trip ends.
Final Thoughts: Be the Partner Pet Owners Need
Pet care doesn’t stop when your clients go on vacation—and neither should your service. Whether they’re flying cross-country or driving upstate, pet owners are looking for trusted allies who can help them plan smarter, travel safer, and care better.
So if your pet business is ready to grow, this may be the moment to evolve—from a place that serves pets, to one that supports pet families at every step of the journey.
