Holidays get tails wagging
Auckland – 17 October 2013: Kiwi pets are well travelled with almost half of New Zealand pet owners revealing they take their pets on holiday,
according to the latest travel survey from leading travel website Wotif.co.nz.
Wotif.co.nz Product Director Donna Rodios said 90.9 per cent have a pet and 46.3 per cent said they take their pet on
holiday.
“Dogs are by far New Zealand’s most travelled pet, with 85.1 per cent of respondents taking their pooch on holiday,
while 11.9 per cent said they travelled with their cat and other travellers even admitted to taking their bird, rabbit,
guinea pig or fish away,” Ms Rodios said.
“Almost half the respondents said they go everywhere with their pet and holidays were no exception, with 96.7 per cent
of pets travelling by car and only 1.9 per cent flying to their holiday destination.
“Holiday homes were the most popular pet-friendly accommodation choice according to 51.5 per cent of respondents with
caravan and camping parks following with 20.6 per cent of the vote and only 15.9 per cent of respondents choosing
self-catering apartments.”
Ms Rodios said some pet lovers even went to the extent of smuggling their pet into accommodation which wasn’t pet
friendly.
“18.7 per cent of Kiwi respondents admitted to sneaking their pet into accommodation that didn’t allow pets and one
respondent even smuggled their dog into a motel in a backpack. With sneaky cover-ups like this one it’s no surprise only
9.9 per cent were caught.
“There was no shortage of amusing pet travel stories with one pet owner revealing their dog jumped the fence into the
neighbouring house through the window and stole their hot roast chicken right off the bench.
“Another respondent said their daughter’s pet turtle escaped and they spent ages looking for him and finally found him
hidden in a closet.
“Some respondents also thought they left their pets in capable hands but came home to find their pet had changed colour.
One respondent revealed they were surprised to find their pet had babies a few weeks after returning from holiday –
before they had left their pet was a boy!
“With so many pet lovers it’s not surprising 22.6 per cent of respondents revealed they bought souvenirs for their pet
while away on holidays without them, 17 per cent carried around a photo of their pet and 10.3 per cent called to chat to
their pet.”
ENDS