Life on the road suits pooches just fine
It seems pets love to hit the open road as much as RVers.
Some say that more than 80 percent of RVers are traveling with a furry friend.
Ron Little of RVs Northwest agrees.
“A lot of our customers are pet owners,” says Little. “The majority of our clientele are empty nesters and they have pets that are their new children.”
Because RVs Northwest is a pet-friendly place, last year the dealership donated $50 to SpokAnimal CARE for every RV sold during July.
The project was so successful that the company is repeating the effort this year, with the money going toward the purchase of the SpokAnimobile, a mobile spay/neuter and educational unit.
Another aspect of the partnership is a special “pet adoption” event today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at RVs Northwest, 10006 N. Division St.
“We’ll be bringing eight animals with us,” says Laura Thulean, SpokAnimal outreach coordinator. “This is only a sampling of the 49 dogs and 108 cats we have available for adoption.”
Pet adoption fees vary between $25 and $125 depending on a variety of circumstances.
There is a little financial encouragement for folks 60 and older. Purina’s Pets for People program provides $50 off the total adoption cost and even pays for spaying or neutering.
Summer travel tips for pet owners
The following are a few tips for traveling with Fido and Fluffy during the hot summer months:
• “Take plenty of water from home,” says Thulean. “It is water your pet is use to drinking.”
• Secure pets in crates when the RV is in motion. A sleeping lap dog could easily become a flying projectile if you need to swerve or brake quickly.
• Never leave pets in a parked RV for any period of time during the heat of the day – unless your rig is extremely well-ventilated or air-conditioned.
Judy Williams of Windermere Kennels in Hayden, Idaho, suggests attaching a battery-operated fan to your pet’s crate. She also recommends carrying a large spray bottle of water to spritz Muffin if needed and a wet towel for your pet to lie on.
• “Pets need exercise even when it is hot,” states information on the Humane Society of the United States Web site, “but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws.”
• Make sure your pet has an information microchip or tattoo on its body. As a backup when traveling, secure identification to your pet’s collar to enable someone to notify you right away if Rover gets lost chasing a rabbit into the woods– include your cell phone number and immediate camping location.
For more information
• RVs Northwest has two locations. The north Spokane store is at 10006 N. Division St., 466-4328. To reach the Greenacres facility at 18919 E. Broadway Ave., take exit 293 off I-90. Online information can be found at www.rvsnorthwest.com.
• Contact SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., the Inland Northwest Humane Society, at 710 N. Napa St., 534-8133 or www.spokanimal.org. Shelter hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
• To view pictures of all the pets up for adoption in a geographic area, go to www.petfinder.com and fill in a zip code.
• Excellent information is available on pet care from the Humane Society of the United States, including “Caring for Pets When You Travel.” Go to www.hsus.org/ace/12531 or call (202) 452-1100.
• The Family Motor Coach Association provides suggestions on RVing with pets at: www.fmca.com/motorhomingguide/pets/index.asp. A toll-free number for member information is (800) 543-3622.
• The American Dog Owners Association offers free material on canine travel using all modes of transportation. Contact ADOA at 1654 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton, NY, 12033 or phone (518) 477-8469 or go to www.adoa.org.
• “Traveling With Your Pet, The AAA Petbook” is available at AAA Service Centers in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Many local libraries have copies for checkout.
• For a tasty “Doggie Treats” recipe by RV pet lovers Sue and Dick Wright of Bellingham go to the Wheel Life blog page: www.spokesmanreview.com/blogs/wheellife or call 459-5435 for a printed copy. Remember to leave your name and mailing address.