Pet friendly holidays encouraged to avoid 'separation anxiety'
Pet friendly holidays encouraged to avoid 'separation anxiety'
Travellers are being encouraged to take their pets with them on holiday. Research suggests that pets can suffer psychological distress when left behind, known as "separation anxiety".
Working with animal psychologist Dr Roger Mugford and using research from the
RSPCA, ferry company Stena Line has found that animals left in boarding kennels or with friends and family are prone to suffer mentally. As a result,
Stena Line is urging its passengers to consider
pet friendly holidays as well as asking the travel trade to educate its passengers.
"We are keen to encourage the trade to educate holidaymakers on taking their pets with them and persuade them to do so...We also want to help people to ensure that their pet travels as safely as possible, so we have asked Dr Mugford to work with us to devise a set of simple travel safety guidelines," said Stena Line's Dermot Cairns.
Dr Mugford explained: "Left in unfamiliar environments pets have been known to reach levels of depression that verge on hysteria." The travel industry needs to educate travellers on the 'viable alternative' of
holidaying with pets, which can be "stress-free and enjoyable for everyone" he added.
Stena Line already offers the largest onboard kennels on the North Sea for passengers who want to take their pets with them on holiday to the
Netherlands. Pets can also be left in cars during the crossing if preferred.
This story was brought to you by holiday
lettings.co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.
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