Home Exchange and Pets

with a Home Exchange

Vacation travel and pet friendly accommodation

For years, smart vacationers have been taking advantage of a unique and friendly way to travel with their pet — at zero accommodation cost with a home exchange. 

Why travel with your pet on a home exchange?

We have two pets.  Whenever practical we take them with us, including on several house swaps.   We tried so called pet friendly hotels only to face surcharges of $25 to $110 per night for "room sanitization."  Home exchanges are a practical cost effective way to travel with pets.

When all is said and done, a home vacation exchange is the single most logical, reasonable, sensible, indeed brilliant, method of vacationing in travel today. Instead of leaving your pet in a behind and home or apartment empty and unused during the time of your vacation, you derive a benefit from it, you treat it as an asset. You trade it temporarily for a home or apartment, eliminating all costs of lodgings from your vacation budget.  Your pet will love the adventure and being able to travel with you.

A home exchange is - you stay at my place while I stay at yours. A home exchange means that two families - either from different parts of the area you live in, country, or the world - agree to exchange homes for a vacation or holiday. Typically home exchanges are made for 1 to 4 weeks with cars an option to be included in the arrangement. There is also the option of exchanging homes for a relaxing weekend getaway to a nearby location. Since no money changes hands between the parties - you can have the a first class vacation anywhere in the world at no cost! It's a terrific way to see another  part of your country or the world. 

International Home Exchange Travel with Pets

Taking your pet on an overseas trip may be a challenge due to quarantine restrictions. Please check the requirements of the country you plan to visit before deciding to take a pet with you on overseas travel.  We were able to take our pet from north America to Europe with no problems.  (Needed a Vets certificate for vaccinations.)

Canada - USA Home Exchange with Pets

Most travelers have very little difficulty taking their pets across the US - Canada border.  Before going on vacation a traveler should check with their vet to be sure their pet is travel ready, with the proper shots.  Be sure to take a confirmation of up to date shots with you.  We have never been questioned about our Bichon Frise dog when crossing the border but its wise to be prepared.

With a home exchange your pet can travel with you without you trying to find and pay for a pet friendly hotel.  

It is always wise to advertise in your home exchange listing that you have a pet. Also indicate whether you wish to have your pet travel with you.  By including this information you will help potential home exchangers with pet allergies to be aware of the situation so that they can make a wise choice regarding pursuing a home exchange with you.  

As pet owners we have always been upfront and have found many travelers that did not mind looking after our pet in our home or allowing us to bring our pet to their home.  On our last home swap, we did both.  We took our dog on exchange with us and looked after our exchange partners cat as well.  

Enjoy your next vacation with your pet while paying zero for accommodation.  

A home exchange experience with pets