Pet Travel & Animal Tourism
“Dogs make ideal travel companions; they don’t ask for directions and they don’t complain about the food.”
— Author Unknown
The Pet Travel & Animal Tourism page on World Footprints is your guide to exploring the world with your animal companions while embracing ethical and responsible travel practices. This section blends practical advice for traveling with pets and insights into how tourism can positively impact animal welfare worldwide.
Here, you’ll find resources on traveling with pets, including tips on navigating pet-friendly accommodations, transportation, and destinations. From ensuring your pet’s comfort on long-haul flights to finding the best dog-friendly cafes in Paris or hiking trails in Canada, we provide actionable advice for creating memorable and stress-free adventures with your furry family members.
Stories of international pet adoptions are also featured, offering inspiration and guidance for those looking to expand their family while making a meaningful difference. Additionally, we address the cultural perspectives on pets and wildlife across the globe, helping travelers understand and respect local customs while enjoying a pet- or animal-focused journey.
The animal tourism focus highlights ethical travel practices, featuring articles that explore responsible wildlife interactions, conservation-focused tourism, and how travelers can support local communities and animal welfare initiatives. Learn about ethical safaris, marine wildlife tours, and opportunities to visit sanctuaries that prioritize the well-being of rescued animals.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
— Immanuel Kant
At World Footprints, we believe in traveling with intention, compassion, and awareness. The stories you’ll find in Pet Travel & Animal Tourism page is a celebration of the bond between humans and animals, whether through shared travel experiences or the responsible appreciation of wildlife.
Pets are more than just companions—they are reflections of culture, tradition, and societal values. Around the world, the roles pets play in daily life and travel vary widely, shaped by historical influences, religious beliefs, and evolving modern trends. Exploring how different cultures integrate pets into their routines offers fascinating insights into human-animal relationships, highlighting both commonalities and unique traditions.
Across the U.S., travelers are changing course from big-city escapes to nature-focused adventures. With a renewed appreciation for the outdoors, many Americans are journeying to majestic mountains, serene lakes, and quiet coastlines in search of peace, fresh air, and a deeper connection with the environment. And for a growing number of these adventurers, one important companion is always in tow—their beloved pets.
Swimming with whale sharks was something I had never contemplated until visiting La Paz, Mexico, a few hours north of Cabo San Lucas in southern Baja California Sur. My immediate response was “no way” until I learned the name “whale shark” is quite misleading. Whale sharks are the world’s largest fish and are not known to nibble on humans. These gentle giants filter plankton and fish from the top of the ocean like a baleen whale and eat eight percent of their body weight per week. After extensive online research, I soon realized that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to swim with this misunderstood creature that scientists just started studying in the 1950s. Donning a wetsuit with some sort of swimmable life jacket plus a mask, snorkel, and fins, I dangled off the side of our small boat that comfortably carried about six. Our crew of ladies already [...]
The morning mist partially obscured the peaks lining Resurrection Bay as the Coastal Explorer pulled away from Seward. A bald eagle bid us farewell from his perch and a nearby sea otter floated peacefully in the harbor. The deckhands served fresh warm cinnamon rolls as we motored toward Kenai Fjords National Park. Dressed for winter even though it was June, I boarded an eight-hour cruise with Kenai Fjords Tours with expectations of adventure. I was excited to learn that Kenai Fjords Tours, along with several other Alaskan cruise operators, promote sustainable whale watching by adhering to Whale SENSE guidelines. Kenai Fjords Tours Photo: Kirsten Harrington Whale SENSE – Champions of Responsible Whale Watching Whale SENSE is a voluntary program that highlights commercial whale-watching companies that go above and beyond in protecting marine mammals. Having whale SENSE means these boats: Stick to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) laws [...]
Traveling opens doors to new cultures, cuisines, and breathtaking landscapes, but what if it also led to a lifelong friendship with a furry companion? Adopting a pet while traveling is a unique and rewarding experience that not only enriches your journey but also provides a loving home to an animal in need. Here’s a dive into the heartwarming world of pet adoption on the road.
As selfies with tigers, primates and other wild species front Instagram and Facebook feeds, tourists are now forced to question the morals and ethics of their encounters with captive animals.
"Once you begin bird-watching, no street, sky, or forest ever looks the same: Birds are everywhere, and their comings and goings tell stories most humans aren’t attuned to."
Help stop animal cruelty in Southeast Asia by avoiding inhumane experiences with captive animals—we’ve got the details on ethical animal tourism in Southeast Asia.
In a small town in the southwestern region of Nepal, Eva the rescue elephant and her new companion Lhamo are sprouting a charming kinship.
After the 2013 release of the documentary Blackfish, SeaWorld made some significant changes. It terminated its orca breeding program. It ended all the whale dancing and kissing orca performances. The company also changed how people interacted with the animals, making it more educational rather than entertainment. The latest SeaWorld change includes ending “dolphin surfing tricks” park trainers would do in the shows. Dolphin surfing is where the trainers would ride on the backs or snouts of two swimming dolphins, standing up. The company said it sent its decision to eliminate the theatrics of the dolphin shows to the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the letter, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had asked its shareholders to vote in ending the dolphin shows at the park. PETA holds more than 160 shares of SeaWorld stock. The letter details the company’s plans in which it would no longer surf [...]
“Watch us come back with a dog,” I joked to my partner as we packed our things for four months on Mexico’s Pacific coast. As it turned out, it was less of a joke than I thought.
Some extraordinary people sharing a bit of travel advice, insights and experiences from Moscow to the Camino de Santiago and destinations in between take us to some surprising places.
