A travel agent going to the dogs

Several years ago, travel agent Barbara DeBry started Puppy Travel, which is believed to occupy a unique niche. “I’ve looked all over, and as far as I can tell, I’m the only pet travel agency in the United States,” she said. Ms. DeBry, founder and owner of the Salt Lake City-based Puppy Travel, handles only travelers who want to go somewhere with their pets. The first problem with that, and the one she is asked about most often: can the traveler take Fido on an airplane? “I get people all the time who say they’re willing to pay anything to buy their pet a seat,” she said. She says would-be jet-setters can be accommodated if they are in a container that is kept under the seat, as long as the airline is notified ahead of time. The under-the-seat requirement does limit the size of the pet, however. “If you have a lab (retriever), it’s not going to happen,” she said. “But airlines are more and more pet aware. Their consciousness has been raised. Some of them have people dedicated to handling pets,” she said. Ms DeBry got the idea for her pet travel agency two years ago after encountering her own problems traveling with her two dogs. Another common problem she solves is finding hotels that take pets. She cannot help everyone, however. She was once contacted by a couple who wanted to travel with their 30 cats. “Who in their right mind would want to do that? I told them in all good conscience, I couldn’t begin to find a place for them to stay,” she said. She ended up finding the couple a recreational vehicle that they presumably used to carry all their cats. Might her agency attract other travel agent imitators who also think the idea is the cat’s meow? Unfortunately, Ms DeBry has a bone to pick with that idea. “It takes a lot of work, and a lot of time. It also takes a lot of patience. Most agents I know like to work fast,” she said. Several years ago, travel agent Barbara DeBry started Puppy Travel, which is believed to occupy a unique niche.