A travel agent going to the dogs
Several years ago, travel agent Barbara DeBry started Puppy Travel, which is believed to occupy a unique niche. “I’ve looked all over, and as far as I can tell, I’m the only pet travel agency in the United States,” she said. Ms. DeBry, founder and owner of the Salt Lake City-based Puppy Travel, handles only travelers who want to go somewhere with their pets. The first problem with that, and the one she is asked about most often: can the traveler take Fido on an airplane? “I get people all the time who say they’re willing to pay anything to buy their pet a seat,” she said. She says would-be jet-setters can be accommodated if they are in a container that is kept under the seat, as long as the airline is notified ahead of time. The under-the-seat requirement does limit the size of the pet, however. “If you have a lab (retriever), it’s not going to happen,” she said. “But airlines are more and more pet aware. Their consciousness has been raised. Some of them have people dedicated to handling pets,” she said. Ms DeBry got the idea for her pet travel agency two years ago after encountering her own problems traveling with her two dogs. Another common problem she solves is finding hotels that take pets. She cannot help everyone, however. She was once contacted by a couple who wanted to travel with their 30 cats. “Who in their right mind would want to do that? I told them in all good conscience, I couldn’t begin to find a place for them to stay,” she said. She ended up finding the couple a recreational vehicle that they presumably used to carry all their cats. Might her agency attract other travel agent imitators who also think the idea is the cat’s meow? Unfortunately, Ms DeBry has a bone to pick with that idea. “It takes a lot of work, and a lot of time. It also takes a lot of patience. Most agents I know like to work fast,” she said. Several years ago, travel agent Barbara DeBry started Puppy Travel, which is believed to occupy a unique niche.
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025