Third Of UK Dogs Enjoy Up To Two Holidays A Year

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British holidaymakers spend £387* million extra on their holidays each year in order to take their pet dog away with them according to new research.

Eighty nine per cent of pet owners now take their pet on holiday, with the majority of these (85%) spending time researching pet friendly accommodation and activities, according to a study by Pets at Home and holidaycottages.co.uk. Thirty per cent have even missed a holiday to avoid leaving their pet behind, and 45% would rather not go on holiday at all than go somewhere without their pet.

Almost a fifth (19%) spend at least £75 extra on top of the usual accommodation and entertaining costs for their pets. Five per cent spend £101-£250 extra and 1% spend up to £500 to ensure that their furry friend enjoys the perfect break.

A third of owners (31%) take their pet on holiday twice a year, 13 per cent taking their pet on holiday three times a year and six per cent more than five times. In fact 14% of those surveyed said they would rather take their pet on holiday than their partner!

Gavin Hawthorn, Head of the VIP Club at Pets at Home, said: “Brits treat their pets as one of the family, so it’s not surprising to see that the nation’s pet owners are splashing out on making holidays extra special for their furry friends and taking the time to plan the trip around their needs.”

James Morris, Managing Director at holidaycottages.co.uk, said: “We have a portfolio of more than 1,400 dog-friendly properties available across the country and last year alone we saw over 20,000 dogs holiday with us. For so many of our customers their pet pooches are unquestionably one of the family and travel with them on their holidays, and this is why we jumped at the chance to partner with Pets at Home’s VIP Club.”

Pets at Home’s VIP club members receive exclusive benefits when booking through www.petsathome.com/dogsgofree.

*Figure created based on RSPCA research that there are nine million dogs in the UK

**Based on a survey of 2,100 pet owners who are members of Pets at Home’s VIP Club

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