• In the last 12 months, pet owners across Britain have spent £3 billion on accommodation and care for their pets while they were on holiday
• This works out as £259.72 spent per pet while owners jet off
• Holidaying owners spend more than double on dogs than cats
• The average cost for a week’s stay in a luxury kennel is £150.23 and £86.17 for a luxury cattery
• A third (29 per cent) of dog owners come home to find their dog ill or injured
   

New research by Direct Line Pet Insurance reveals owners across the UK spend over £3 billion a year on accommodation and care for their animals while on holiday1, an average of £259.72 each in the last 12 months.

Dog owners collectively spent £2.1 billion on care for their dogs while they were on holiday, in the last 12 months, forking out an average £335.91. However, for some, the cost of caring for their beloved pooch can be more than a flight to New York2, with one in ten (11 per cent) animal lovers spending more than £500 on their dog’s care while they were away. Cat owners spent £153.92 on average for their cat’s care while away, while those who own both spent an average of £219.42.

There are a range of different providers of pet holiday care across the UK giving owners the choice of; someone coming to their home to look after their pet, a cat/dog sitting service, a kennel or cattery, or luxury pet hotels that are springing up across the country. Opulent pet accommodation is proving increasingly popular, with one in six (16 per cent) dog owners paying for their pet to stay in luxury kennels or ‘hound hotels’ and one in 14 cat owners (seven per cent) have put their animal in a luxury cattery or ‘moggy motel’.

Proving pet care is big business; research amongst British pet holiday providers3 reveals the average cost for a dog to stay in luxury kennels for a week is £150.23, while a week’s holiday for a cat in a luxury cattery is £86.17. The majority (68 per cent) of dog and cat hotels have seen an increase in demand over the last 12 months, with some fully booked all year. 

Those living in London should expect to pay the most to ensure that their beloved pet is looked after in luxury while they are away, as a week’s stay for a dog in the capital is £201, compared to just £118 in Manchester. Cat owners in the capital are also paying a ‘purr-emium’ for luxury care for their feline friends, shelling out £130 for a week’s stay, while those in Cardiff can expect to pay just £68.
 

Table one: Breakdown of luxury kennel and cattery costs across major cities

Source: Direct Line Pet Insurance 2017
 

Any pet owner wishing to book their dog or cat into a hotel needs to make sure their vaccinations are up to date and provide a certificate on arrival. Some facilities will also want to see evidence of recent flea and worming treatments. Cat owners should be aware that 28 per cent of catteries wouldn’t accept unneutered male adult cats.

Nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of pet owners experienced problems when arranging care for their pet. The most common reasons pets have been denied entry are; ticks (46 per cent), injury and illness (both 44 per cent) and one in ten pets have been turned away due to not being neutered (11 per cent) or for bad behaviour (nine per cent).

Although the majority of pets do not experience any problems while in care, around a third (29 per cent) of dog owners reported issues. Half of these owners came back to find their dog was ill (52 per cent) or had been attacked by another dog (49 per cent). A number of dogs also suffered from minor (44 per cent) or major injury (45 per cent). 

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “Peace of mind is incredibly important for pet owners while they’re on holiday and away from their beloved dogs and cats. If pet owners are worried whether their dog or cat will be happy in their chosen kennel or cattery it is worth taking them for a visit before they go. Some providers also offer a webcam service and regular updates to give owners a little extra reassurance.

“All pet accommodation providers should have insurance to cover them for any accident or emergency which may involve a pet in their care and access to a vet should they need one. These policies may only cover an animal up to a certain amount, so owners should ensure they have comprehensive pet insurance to cover their pet in case anything happens while they are away.”

While dog accommodation providers cover basic care including; feeding, daily walks, health checks and sleeping areas, there are those who offer a little bit more luxury. Dog owners can pay for their beloved pets to stay in facilities with under floor heating, music, TV, DVDs and even an armchair in their accommodation. Some luxury ‘hound hotels’ even provide decorative touches like chandeliers, heat lamps, feature walls and curtains for their guests.

Dogs are not the only pets with the option of luxury accommodation, some cat facilities offer an artificial log burning fire, music and wrought iron or four posted beds, with one ‘moggy motel’ even having water features, flameless candles and goose feather cushions available to keep its feline guests entertained. 
 

ENDS
 

Notes to Editors

1 Research conducted by Opinium amongst a representative sample of 2,006 adults completed between 21st and 24th April.

2  11th July 2017 British Airways advertised New York flights form £379 

3 Separate research carried out among 100 luxury kennels and catteries across the UK
 

For further information please contact:
 

Claire Jarrett

Direct Line

[email protected]  
0165 183 2411

 

Antonia Green

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

[email protected]

0207 282 2967

 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. UK Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting

https://www.directline.com/pet-cover