Pet-friendly accommodations are not an uncommon request, but securing them requires planning and open communication with your consultant. Here, we offer some suggestions to streamline the process of bringing your beloved pet on a locum tenens assignment.
- Tell your consultant your wishes from the onset. The sooner your company’s Housing team knows about your plans, the greater the likelihood they’ll be able to present you with suitable alternatives. The key is finding the best options for your needs and those of your animal. The type and size of your pet are factors, as well, and may determine what is available to you. Location can be a consideration, too. If you were traveling to Hawaii for a locum tenens opportunity, for instance, there would likely be additional restrictions as the Aloha State has strict animal quarantine rules.
- Provide thorough details. Your consultant needs to know the number of pets you plan to take, as well as breed, size, and special needs. Specific requests—such as a ground floor hotel room or apartment, for ease of taking a pet outside—should be communicated up front.
- Understand, in general, the smaller the pet, the easier the process. Pets are an important part of many people’s lives, and reputable staffing company representatives will do their utmost to accommodate your request. Many housing complexes allow for small pets. But the bigger the animal, as with a very large dog or non-house pet, the more limited your options. With regard to a horse, for instance, a provider may be offered a small farmhouse or housing in close proximity to stables. Moreover, in some instances, the clinician could be asked to make his or her stable reservations independently.
- Be prepared to pay a pet deposit. Pet deposits are common. Depending on the policies followed by the housing manager of your short-term accommodations, one may be required. Based on your pet’s breed and size, as well as the number of pets you bring, a pet deposit may range from $250 to $1,000.Your consultant will be able to provide this information to you beforehand.
Traveling with a pet can certainly make you feel more at home. If your furry companion has accompanied you on assignment in the past, you may have a few tried-and-true tips of your own. If so, we invite you to share them in the comment section below.
