Travel in packs: Group tours with pets get a big paws-up

While travelling alone with your furry friends can be hectic, going on group tours with other people and their pets can be a fun activity and can also help you understand your pet better.
Leaving your fur babies at a boarding home while going on a holiday is the hardest thing for pet parents, but taking care of your pet while trying to de-stress on a vacation is also not ideal. Now, a number of pet parents in NCR seem to have found the perfect solution – group tours with fellow pet parents and their babies. Several tour operators, specializing in group tours with pets, have started operating in NCR in the last year or two, making travelling with pets a breeze.
The need for group tours pet parents
Travelling alone with pets can be hectic, which is where group tours figure in, say pet parents. “Travelling alone or even with friends who are not pet parents is not the best option, since your co-travellers do not understand the quirks and needs of your pets. If I travel alone with my dog, it gets hectic as I am always worried if she is happy in the new environment or not. There are no such worries on a group trip with other pet parents,” says Kanwal Chauhan, a resident of Greater Kailash 2. Rukmini Vaish, from Collar Folk, says that these group tours are perfect for those who have never travelled with their pets before. “In a group tour, we have professionals, veterinarians and a large group of pet-owners who understand pets. This makes travelling with your pet for the first time easier,” she says.

Helping people to know their pets better
Kanwal has been on over a dozen vacations with his five-year-old Labrador, Leila. However, it was only when he went on a group tour with other pet parents that he understood the strong bond he shares with Leila. “I always used to wonder whether I am the most important human for Leila. When I travelled with her on a trip to Rishikesh with about 15 other pet parents, I discovered that I am actually the most important person for her. I never realised this earlier,” says Kanwal, a banker who went on a group tour organized by Collar Folk.
According to Srishti Sharma from Petarchi, many people fail to recognise any peculiar behaviour of their pet at home but notice it when on a tour with other people and their pets. “While on group tours, we help pet parents understand why their pet may be acting differently and why they never noticed it earlier,” says Srishti, who is also a certified pet trainer.
Green Park resident Kiran Sangwan says her dog Laika looks happier since they returned from a group tour. “My dog always had some anxiety issues but when we were on the tour, I learnt how to calm her down and since then, she has been happier,” says Sangwan, who is a pilot.
Pet parents are increasingly preferring to travel in groups which not only makes travelling easier but often helps them in getting to know their pets better
Group tours for pets: A booming business?
Those providing group travel services for people with pets say that while the concept is catching up in the tourism industry, it is not yet booming. “There is still a long way to go before we start earning profit from group tours with pets. Currently, our only motive is to get people on board as many are still wary of travelling with their pets,” says Srishti. Rukmini agrees that while the business may not be booming right now, it is expected to grow. “India is the fastest growing market for pet ownership and hence, any business related to that is expected to grow. Currently, there is need for awareness among pet parents that they can travel with their pets without any worries and that too in groups with fellow pet parents,” she says.

However, Vatsalya from Tails ‘n’ Trails says that the objective of organizing group tours for pet parents is not to make money. “I work in the cyber sector and have been working for dog welfare at a personal level. I started Tails ‘n’ Trails after I saw that there is a lack of pet-friendly stays in the country. All profits from our group tours are donated to animal welfare organisations,” says Vatsalya.
Planning the ‘paw’rfect trip!

Limited number of pets
When travelling with pets, it is best to travel with a limited number, says Srishti Sharma from Petarchi which organises group pet tours. Petarchi and Tails ‘n’ Trails allow 4-6 dogs while for Collar Folk, 10 is the limit.
Mode of travel
While Petarchi and Collar Folk ask their travellers to travel in their own cars, Tails ‘n’ Trails travel in a 24-seater coach. “With about 10-15 people and six dogs, a 24-seater bus is comfortable as the dogs can move around. We also plan the seating according to the temperament of the dogs,” says Vatsalya Yadav, from Tails ‘n’ Trails.
Pre-travel requisites
Before the travellers embark on the trip, a socialising session is held for the dogs to get to know each other. Medical tests are also done.
Professionals on board
Dog behaviourists and veterinarians travel with the travellers on these trips to make sure every pet and their pet parent can enjoy the trip. “A vet, medical kit, oxygen cylinder and four dog behaviourists travel along with us on every trip,” says Vatsalya.
Dietary requirements
All tour organisers travel with at least 5-10 kilograms of basic dog food and also make sure some can be cooked at the place they will be staying at.
Pet-friendly stays
While Collar Folk and Petarchi book pet-friendly stays for their travellers, Tails ‘n’ Trails put out camps for them.
Activities galore
Collar Folk had organised a triathlon for pets and pet parents on their Rishikesh trip last year while Tails ‘n’ Trails also organise hiking trips for the travellers. Others activities are planned too. “After completing a trek, we organise various fun activities for the pets like fastest fetch, spoon race,” says Srishti.