Pet-Friendly Lodgings on the Rise, Says AAA; There's No Need to Leave Home without Your Favorite Four-Legged Friend.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The number of lodgings that are now accepting pets has increased by 28 percent since 2003, says AAA, and to be even more accommodating, more lodgings are offering special pet treats, services and activities.

According to AAA, publisher of Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook(R), hoteliers are catering to the millions of Americans who travel with their pets each year with increasingly specialized amenities. Typical treats include special menus, luxurious dog beds, food and water bowls, and I.D. tags. Optional extras range from plush robes and walking service to doggie massages and grooming.

More than 13,000 lodgings that accept pets are listed in AAA's pet travel guidebook, but if your vacation tastes are more on the rugged side, you will want to check the book's listing of more than 400 pet-friendly campgrounds. In fact, camping is one of the top pet travel activities in a AAA survey. Other popular pet travel activities include visiting beaches, exploring state and national parks, hiking, mountain climbing and swimming.

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook includes detailed information and tips on traveling with pets by car or by air, a list of dog parks in the United States and Canada, a list of animal clinics across the country, tips for selecting an airline, choosing an appropriate travel crate, pet safety guidelines, and a thorough checklist to make sure your pet is travel ready.

In addition, the all-new eighth edition of the book displays two winning entries from the AAA PetBook Photo Contest on its covers. The two photos are of: Addy, a rescued mixed breed, enjoying the views at White Mountain National Forest in Laconia, NH; and Kenzie, a West Highland White Terrier, in a field of bluebonnets in Granbury, Texas.

These photos, AAA Pet Photo Contest rules, and entry guidelines can be seen at http://www.aaa.com/PetBook. The contest offers a $100 prize, five free copies of the book and a year's supply of Milk-bone dog snacks to the winner(s).

Before you take your pet on the road, AAA suggests these pre-trip preparations:

--Get a clean bill of health from the veterinarian. Make sure you obtain and pack an up-to-date health certificate showing proof of recent inoculations.

--Brush up on good behavior. Remember that unfamiliarity of travel situations may test the temperament of even the most well behaved pet.

--Learn about your destination. Beware of safety and health risks at your destination and plan accordingly.

--Determine the best mode of transportation. Although most people traveling with pets drive, airlines are pet-conscious. Make sure you learn the restrictions for pet type and size before you go.

--Pack as carefully for your pet as you do for yourself. A checklist of necessary items is also included in the book.

Traveling With Your Pet: The AAA PetBook is available at AAA club offices, online at http://www.aaa.com/barnesandnoble and at better bookstores. The cover price is $17.95 U.S./$24.95 Canadian.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 49 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, AAA, a not-for-profit corporation and the oldest and largest federation of motor clubs in the country, has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.