There are dozens of motels, lodges, and hotels across the United States that advertise "Pet Friendly." But my quest in June of 2015 was to discover which ones were pet-friendly enough to be willing to accommodate six cats and two adult humans in one room for one night only.
I had hoped to have enough material on hand prior to leaving the home we had sold in Cool, CA, to be able to plan our trip, including making reservations in advance, at pet-friendly lodging.
Accordingly, my son, Lance, and I visited our local AAA office and picked up brochures for each state/region we would be passing through, along with a map of the United States.
Our new home, in Buford, GA, is approximately 2,600 miles from Cool. Because of the ages and medical conditions of some of my cats, air transport in the belly of a plane was completely out of the question. We quickly eliminated railroad and bus transportation also. Which left driving as the last option.
Although my 2007 Dodge Nitro is in good condition, we didn't trust it for such a lengthy drive, and the back was not large enough to hold six dog-sized carriers.. Therefore, we shipped it ahead, and were able to rent a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan through Hertz. Its back seats all fold down, leaving room, not only for the dog crates, but for our luggage, litter boxes and litter, and bags of dry and canned cat food, along with bowls and a five-gallon jug of water. My son purchased a "Crazy Cat Lady" magnet for the passenger door and a "Catitude" one fo the driver's door.
Our Game Plan
Originally, my son thought he would drive in shifts of ten hours on the road each day, as he had earlier been a long-haul truck driver. However, it quickly became apparent that this would be too dangerous. Driving unknown roads with six complaining cats is stressful enough, without adding the potential of the driver falling asleep at the wheel on the side of a curvy mountain highway.
We eventually decided that although the AAA books would be good for families with one or two pets, in our circumstances, the use of them was impractical. There was no way I would attempt on the phone to convince a reservations clerk to accept six cats in a motel with a two-pet limit.
So we decided to wing it. Each day we would tentatively selected a city where we would stop for the night. We would check the AAA book if that city was listed, but would not call ahead.
First Things First: Rabies Shots and Tranquilizer
Friday and Saturday, prior to our leaving, we took all our cats (three each day) to our trusted Cool Veterinary Clinic. Because of my concerns about rabies laws in the various states whose borders we would cross, and because rabies shots are mandatory in Georgia for ALL cats, that was the first thing on our list. Each cat was given a general checkup, and I asked that they be scanned for their microchips. To my surprise, Billy does not have a microchip. I did not want to add to his stress at that time, however he is soon due for a checkup at our new veterinary clinic, which is nearby. Our veterinarian also will send all the cats' records to our new vet clinic once we get settled.
The vet visits all went well, and Saturday we bid a fond farewell to these professionals who almost feel like family now.
Off to Georgia!
We left the following Sunday, heading for Interstate 80 going North out of Auburn, CA, just six miles from our door. I had already put all the cats' rabies shots records in a plastic bag in the "glove compartment" for quick access if necessary at state borders.
We had decided that since Nevada is a pretty wide state border-to-border, that we would seek a motel in Elko, which is close to the eastern border. Sure enough, the GPS in our rental van showed a Motel 6 in Elko, confirmed by road signs as we entered the town.
We pulled in front around 5 p.m., and Lance kept the engine running so the AC would keep him and the cats cool. I went inside, brandishing my business card with a big smile, and said, "Hi! I understand Motel 6 is a pet-friendly motel." Knowing full well the answer, I then asked, "How many pets are allowed here per room?"
The desk clerk smiled back, and asked, "How many do you have?"
"I have six cats," I replied.
"I'm sorry," she answered, "but two per room is our absolute limit."
I smiled and handed her my business card, which has my website address as well as social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Pinterest, and asked if the manager was in. When she replied in the negative, I asked if she could call the manager, so I could talk to her. The clerk conferred with another employee, then made a phone call, spoke for a few minutes, and handed me the phone.
When the manager came on the line, I identified myself, explained the fact that we were moving 2,600 miles with our six cats to a new home, and that I would be documenting the trip along the way, including comments on the various types of lodging's pet policies.
I mentioned that the cats were each in a crate, and that we were prepared with litter boxes, cat litter, and an automated drinking fountain, as well as cat food and large plastic bags for carrying away all our waste. I even offered a $100 deposit to ensure the room was clean when we left it.
The manager asked me a few questions, then asked to speak to the desk clerk. After they finished talking, the desk clerk said they would collect the normal deposit. I expressed my gratitude, then asked if they had a vacant two-bed room downstairs toward the end of the building.
They did, so I went to the door, gave Lance a big smile and two thumbs up. He came in and took care of the registration, while I waited in the car with the cats.
The cats were as happy as we were, for the freedom to explore a new environment. They sniffed and snooped freely. Gaither and Sage, as usual, tried to jump to the highest places - typically, the TV stand or the top of the dresser. Jenny, Jaspurr, Joey, and Billy contented themselves with snoozing on one bed or the other.
For the next three nights of the trip, we repeated this scene at three more motels. Only one manager accepted my offer of a $100 deposit, and it was returned when we checked out the next day.
During our entire trip, only once were we refused, as the two-pet rule was not negotiable, according to its the corporate policy. I have forgotten the name of that place. However, I respect their policies, while reserving my right to negotiate. I certainly would not advocate everyone traveling with multiple pets to attempt these tactics. However, under some circumstances, they might be appropriate:
The motels where we stayed during our five day trip all fit the bill for being pet-friendly. For the human companions, they were all clean, with comfortable beds. All of them were furnished with television sets, and some had internet connections. Many supplied a breakfast of pastries, and most had coffee fixings in the rooms.
The only real probllem we had with our cats was that they were immediately savvy on departure mornings that they were going back into the dreaded crates. I disliked giving them the sedative our veterinarian had supplied, and the Feliway spray on their beds was ineffective for its intended purpose.
The cats, as if signaled, all rushed under one or another of the beds. The only way we could get them out was by my son holding up the mattress and box springs, while I tried to grab one or another of the cats, then one of us would put the cat in its crate. On a couple of occasions, this issue added 45 minutes to an hour of our checkout time, and left the bunch of us completely stressed. Not a good way to start another day on the road. In only one motel was a bed with the wooden frame reaching the floor, and at least we humans were in a good mood upon leaving.
The Motels Where We Stayed:
I had hoped to have enough material on hand prior to leaving the home we had sold in Cool, CA, to be able to plan our trip, including making reservations in advance, at pet-friendly lodging.
Accordingly, my son, Lance, and I visited our local AAA office and picked up brochures for each state/region we would be passing through, along with a map of the United States.
Our new home, in Buford, GA, is approximately 2,600 miles from Cool. Because of the ages and medical conditions of some of my cats, air transport in the belly of a plane was completely out of the question. We quickly eliminated railroad and bus transportation also. Which left driving as the last option.
Although my 2007 Dodge Nitro is in good condition, we didn't trust it for such a lengthy drive, and the back was not large enough to hold six dog-sized carriers.. Therefore, we shipped it ahead, and were able to rent a 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan through Hertz. Its back seats all fold down, leaving room, not only for the dog crates, but for our luggage, litter boxes and litter, and bags of dry and canned cat food, along with bowls and a five-gallon jug of water. My son purchased a "Crazy Cat Lady" magnet for the passenger door and a "Catitude" one fo the driver's door.
Our Game Plan
Originally, my son thought he would drive in shifts of ten hours on the road each day, as he had earlier been a long-haul truck driver. However, it quickly became apparent that this would be too dangerous. Driving unknown roads with six complaining cats is stressful enough, without adding the potential of the driver falling asleep at the wheel on the side of a curvy mountain highway.
We eventually decided that although the AAA books would be good for families with one or two pets, in our circumstances, the use of them was impractical. There was no way I would attempt on the phone to convince a reservations clerk to accept six cats in a motel with a two-pet limit.
So we decided to wing it. Each day we would tentatively selected a city where we would stop for the night. We would check the AAA book if that city was listed, but would not call ahead.
First Things First: Rabies Shots and Tranquilizer
Friday and Saturday, prior to our leaving, we took all our cats (three each day) to our trusted Cool Veterinary Clinic. Because of my concerns about rabies laws in the various states whose borders we would cross, and because rabies shots are mandatory in Georgia for ALL cats, that was the first thing on our list. Each cat was given a general checkup, and I asked that they be scanned for their microchips. To my surprise, Billy does not have a microchip. I did not want to add to his stress at that time, however he is soon due for a checkup at our new veterinary clinic, which is nearby. Our veterinarian also will send all the cats' records to our new vet clinic once we get settled.
The vet visits all went well, and Saturday we bid a fond farewell to these professionals who almost feel like family now.
Off to Georgia!
We left the following Sunday, heading for Interstate 80 going North out of Auburn, CA, just six miles from our door. I had already put all the cats' rabies shots records in a plastic bag in the "glove compartment" for quick access if necessary at state borders.
We had decided that since Nevada is a pretty wide state border-to-border, that we would seek a motel in Elko, which is close to the eastern border. Sure enough, the GPS in our rental van showed a Motel 6 in Elko, confirmed by road signs as we entered the town.
We pulled in front around 5 p.m., and Lance kept the engine running so the AC would keep him and the cats cool. I went inside, brandishing my business card with a big smile, and said, "Hi! I understand Motel 6 is a pet-friendly motel." Knowing full well the answer, I then asked, "How many pets are allowed here per room?"
The desk clerk smiled back, and asked, "How many do you have?"
"I have six cats," I replied.
"I'm sorry," she answered, "but two per room is our absolute limit."
I smiled and handed her my business card, which has my website address as well as social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and Pinterest, and asked if the manager was in. When she replied in the negative, I asked if she could call the manager, so I could talk to her. The clerk conferred with another employee, then made a phone call, spoke for a few minutes, and handed me the phone.
When the manager came on the line, I identified myself, explained the fact that we were moving 2,600 miles with our six cats to a new home, and that I would be documenting the trip along the way, including comments on the various types of lodging's pet policies.
I mentioned that the cats were each in a crate, and that we were prepared with litter boxes, cat litter, and an automated drinking fountain, as well as cat food and large plastic bags for carrying away all our waste. I even offered a $100 deposit to ensure the room was clean when we left it.
The manager asked me a few questions, then asked to speak to the desk clerk. After they finished talking, the desk clerk said they would collect the normal deposit. I expressed my gratitude, then asked if they had a vacant two-bed room downstairs toward the end of the building.
They did, so I went to the door, gave Lance a big smile and two thumbs up. He came in and took care of the registration, while I waited in the car with the cats.
The cats were as happy as we were, for the freedom to explore a new environment. They sniffed and snooped freely. Gaither and Sage, as usual, tried to jump to the highest places - typically, the TV stand or the top of the dresser. Jenny, Jaspurr, Joey, and Billy contented themselves with snoozing on one bed or the other.
For the next three nights of the trip, we repeated this scene at three more motels. Only one manager accepted my offer of a $100 deposit, and it was returned when we checked out the next day.
During our entire trip, only once were we refused, as the two-pet rule was not negotiable, according to its the corporate policy. I have forgotten the name of that place. However, I respect their policies, while reserving my right to negotiate. I certainly would not advocate everyone traveling with multiple pets to attempt these tactics. However, under some circumstances, they might be appropriate:
- Breeders taking multiple cats or dogs to professional shows.
- Members of professional groups, such as Cat Writers' Association, or its counterpart, DWA attending conventions or other group events.
- In rare cases, members of animal rescue groups traveling to exchange animals with other groups.
The motels where we stayed during our five day trip all fit the bill for being pet-friendly. For the human companions, they were all clean, with comfortable beds. All of them were furnished with television sets, and some had internet connections. Many supplied a breakfast of pastries, and most had coffee fixings in the rooms.
The only real probllem we had with our cats was that they were immediately savvy on departure mornings that they were going back into the dreaded crates. I disliked giving them the sedative our veterinarian had supplied, and the Feliway spray on their beds was ineffective for its intended purpose.
The cats, as if signaled, all rushed under one or another of the beds. The only way we could get them out was by my son holding up the mattress and box springs, while I tried to grab one or another of the cats, then one of us would put the cat in its crate. On a couple of occasions, this issue added 45 minutes to an hour of our checkout time, and left the bunch of us completely stressed. Not a good way to start another day on the road. In only one motel was a bed with the wooden frame reaching the floor, and at least we humans were in a good mood upon leaving.
The Motels Where We Stayed:
- Sunday, June 7: Motel 6 Elko, Nevada
- Monday, June 8: Super 8, North Platte, Nebraska
- Tuesday, June 9: Motel 8, Rock Springs, Wyoming
- Wednesday, June 10: Days Inn, Clarksville, Tennessee
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