30% of Pets Go Camping

Above, Sierra in the motorhome at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pets are part of the family. There are no two ways about it.

A vacation is not a vacation to many people (60%) without the family pet. When I go on an extended camping trip in the motorhome, I bring my cat Sierra with me. She probably has been in more states than my daughter has.

WJHG has posted research results of a study on pet owners and vacations.

They posted:

CLEVELAND, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pets truly are members of the family. In fact, 60 percent of owners even bring their fur babies on vacation with them.* To make it safer and healthier for pet parents to hit the road with their canine companions in tow, Embrace Pet Insurance, a top-ranked insurance provider for dogs and cats in the United States, has partnered with Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), an organization committed to creating family-friendly camping experiences throughout North America. Together, Embrace and KOA will make the experience of camping even better for dog owners with resources to support pet health and wellness while traveling. The two organizations will team up to provide pet parents with educational content, like a guide to camping with pets as well as events at two KOA campgrounds with food, games and even live training sessions.

"As campers, we're in the business of dealing with the unexpected – detours, traffic jams, blown tires, stuck slides, shattered vent covers, holding tank anxiety, etc. You name it. We've all been there. Whether driving a motorhome, pulling a travel trailer, or setting up a tent – and I've done them all – camping is about preparing for what could happen and troubleshooting when it does," said Brian Macias, president, Embrace Pet Insurance. "Our pets add another aspect to that. That's why KOA and Embrace are teaming up to make sure that you're prepared when it comes to traveling with your four-legged companions. Our 24/7 pet telehealth and use-anywhere accident and illness coverage is exactly what every camping pet parent needs for peace of mind."

The partnership is sure to be an impactful one, with camping and outdoor recreation popular among pets and their owners. In fact, Embrace research* shows that:

• Nearly 30 percent of traveling pets go camping 

• Over 20 percent of traveling pets go to the mountains, a lake or to visit family 

• 50 percent of pet parents take their pups hiking 

• 50 percent of dogs like to swim 

• Of the 60 percent of pet owners who take their pets on vacation, 12 percent will stay in an RV or camper, and an additional six percent will sleep in a tent

While we're on the subject of pets, camping and motorhomes, there is a prominent video blogger on YouTube, Eric Jacobs the Nomadic Fanatic, who posts videos of his RV travels with his cat Jax. It has been reported that Jax passed away recently from complications of a thyroid tumor. My condolences to Eric for his loss. Jax was as much a celebrity on the Nomadic Fanatic as Eric, perhaps more so. Those of us who follow Nomadic Fanatic will miss Jax.

To read the full article, go here. 

UPDATE (10/22/21):

Eric Jacobs posted a video on Jax's final days. Be warned, it is very sad. It reminds me a lot of when Siren passed away six years ago.