North Shore is perfect for pet-cations. With common sense guidelines.
Mar 11, 2021 05:41AM ● By Editor
Editor's note: The fourth installment in our exclusive series to educate the public on the joys, challenges and responsibilities of pet ownership in the wilderness. From Boreal Community Media - March 11, 2021
Dedicated pet owners don't like leaving their pets behind in boarding kennels but want to bring their furry friends with them where they go to relax and spend time in the great outdoors
According to the 2017–2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 68 percent of U.S. households (or 85 million families) own a pet (89 million dogs, in particular), an increase of 56 percent since 1988. About 37 percent of pet owners travel with their pets every year, up from 19 percent a decade ago. And more and more travel companies are bowing to that growing demand.
Nowhere is this more true than on the North Shore of Minnesota. And the area's tourism businesses and operators do to their best to accommodate them.
Cascade Vacation Rentals (CVR) manages more than 150 vacation rental properties from Duluth all the way to the tip of the Arrowhead. According to Jaye White, digital marketing manager of CVR, "We have about 50 pet-friendly properties available and interestingly, they book up the fastest and with the longest lead times. Pet-friendly properties are among the most searched of our properties."
Cascade Vacation Rentals' Jaye White with her best buddy of thirteen years - Boo. Photo: Kaye White
With this constant demand for vacation rentals that accommodate pets, CVR does have well-defined pet policies for their vacationers and their pets.
"All dogs must be on leashes outside at all times", said Ms. White, "This is true for even our most remote properties. It ensures that pets stay close to their owners, don't get lost in unfamiliar surroundings, and prevents unwanted wildlife encounters. We also ask that owners either crate their pets when they leave the property or take them with when they leave."
"We also ask that pets are not allowed on furniture and those pet-friendly properties do get extra cleaning protocols," said White.
But overall, White said the North Shore puts out a warm welcome mat for vacationers who want to bring their pets. Many restaurants allow pets. "Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais even has pet water bowls outside," said White.
Visit Cook County has published a downloadable "Dog Vacation Guide" on their website. The guide provides pet owners with tips for keeping their dogs safe, dry, cool, and warm with 'things to do recommendations' for vacations year-round.
It also stresses some key guidelines for vacationing with dogs on the North Shore. They are:
Dedicated pet owners don't like leaving their pets behind in boarding kennels but want to bring their furry friends with them where they go to relax and spend time in the great outdoors
According to the 2017–2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 68 percent of U.S. households (or 85 million families) own a pet (89 million dogs, in particular), an increase of 56 percent since 1988. About 37 percent of pet owners travel with their pets every year, up from 19 percent a decade ago. And more and more travel companies are bowing to that growing demand.
Nowhere is this more true than on the North Shore of Minnesota. And the area's tourism businesses and operators do to their best to accommodate them.
Cascade Vacation Rentals (CVR) manages more than 150 vacation rental properties from Duluth all the way to the tip of the Arrowhead. According to Jaye White, digital marketing manager of CVR, "We have about 50 pet-friendly properties available and interestingly, they book up the fastest and with the longest lead times. Pet-friendly properties are among the most searched of our properties."
With this constant demand for vacation rentals that accommodate pets, CVR does have well-defined pet policies for their vacationers and their pets.
"All dogs must be on leashes outside at all times", said Ms. White, "This is true for even our most remote properties. It ensures that pets stay close to their owners, don't get lost in unfamiliar surroundings, and prevents unwanted wildlife encounters. We also ask that owners either crate their pets when they leave the property or take them with when they leave."
"We also ask that pets are not allowed on furniture and those pet-friendly properties do get extra cleaning protocols," said White.
But overall, White said the North Shore puts out a warm welcome mat for vacationers who want to bring their pets. Many restaurants allow pets. "Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais even has pet water bowls outside," said White.
It also stresses some key guidelines for vacationing with dogs on the North Shore. They are:
- Leash and Collar - Please keep your dog on a leash no longer than six feet when exploring towns and trails.
- Identification - Just in case. Things happen - if your dog wanders off, we want to be able to reunite you
- Vaccinations - For the safety of your dogs and others, please vaccination to your vet's recommendations
- Poop Duty - Help us keep our region clean. Bag and dispose of every time.
"Most people are really good about following our pet policy guidelines. We furnish them to our guests at the time of a reservation is being made. We welcome pet owners and want them to have a safe and enjoyable experience and we are always happy to answer the many questions we get about bringing pets along on their next North Shore vacation" said White.
Leashed dogs pose for a photo opp at Temperance River State Park on Minnesota's North Shore. Photo: Sidewalk dog
