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US: Almost half of US pet owners have changed, limited or cancelled travel plans because they could not find suitable accommodation for their pets, according to a survey commissioned by pet policy management platform PetScreening.
The survey, conducted by Veridata Insights between 20 and 22 May, gathered responses from 1,000 US adults aged 18 and over.
It found that 45 per cent of pet owners had altered their travel plans due to a lack of suitable pet accommodation. The figure rose to 57 per cent among Gen Z respondents.
According to the research, 43 per cent of pet owners prefer to bring their pet with them when travelling, rising to 47 per cent among Gen Z. Meanwhile, 64 per cent said their pet was likely to influence their travel choices.
The survey also examined the cost of arranging pet care while travelling. One quarter of respondents said they were most likely to spend up to $25 per day, while 24 per cent expected to spend between $26 and $50.
Among Gen Z pet owners, 59 per cent reported spending more than $25 per day on pet care when travelling without their animal, while 25 per cent said they spent at least $50 per day.
John Bradford, founder and CEO of PetScreening, said: “Pets are part of the family, and they are influencing where people go, how long they stay and whether they travel at all.
“Our research shows a real gap between what pet owners want and what the market delivers. The operators who make pet travel simple, clear and predictable this summer will be the ones who capture demand that might otherwise disappear.”
PetScreening provides pet policy management and compliance software for the long-term rental and vacation rental sectors. Its platform enables operators to manage pet policies, documentation and related requirements during the booking process.
Highlights
- A PetScreening survey found that 45 per cent of US pet owners had changed, limited or cancelled travel plans because suitable pet accommodation was unavailable.
- The figure rose to 57 per cent among Gen Z pet owners.
- Veridata Insights surveyed 1,000 US adults between 20 and 22 May 2026.
- The findings indicate that pet policies and pet-friendly accommodation can influence booking decisions in the US vacation rental market.
