As the popularity of traveling with dogs grows, a recent poll found that 70 per cent*of Americans want to travel this summer, and more than two-thirds of pet owners mention mental health advantages like as stress relief and providing a sense of security as significant reasons to travel with their pets.
Hilton and Mars Petcare, the world’s largest pet care company, are expanding their partnership across Hilton’s seven pet-friendly brands to meet the evolving needs of travelers with cats and dogs. These brands include:
- Canopy by Hilton
- Embassy Suites by Hilton
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Hampton by Hilton
- Tru by Hilton
- Homewood Suites by Hilton; and
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
Building on their partnership established in 2021, Hilton and Mars Petcare will now provide virtual support from the Mars Pet Expert Team (PET) during their stay at more than 4,600 hotels in Hilton’s portfolio across the United States and Canada via Mars PET On-Demand. This is a convenient online service that answers questions related to travelling with your cat or dog.
Perfect Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Hilton and Mars Petcare are collaborating to create creative programming that will help travelers have a seamless travel experience.
Mars PET On-Demand: Nearly one-fifth of pet owners are concerned about their pet’s health and behaviour when travelling. Mars Petcare’s newest solution can help those who are away from home feel more at ease.
Guests and their pets staying at Hilton’s pet-friendly hotels in the United States and Canada will now have access to helpful pet health, wellness, and behavioural resources to address questions about travelling with your cat or dog.
A team of Mars Petcare professionals chose the material for the Mars PET On-Demand service, including behaviour specialists from Camp Bow Wow, doggie daycare and boarding business, and trusted veterinarian health experts from BANFIELD, BLUEPEARL, and VCA Animal Hospitals.
Banfield Pet Hospital: Hilton guests may also take advantage of a unique offer from Banfield Pet Hospital, the top supplier of preventative veterinarian care in the United States and Mexico, which includes a discounted enrollment fee (up to $75) for new clients who purchase an Optimum Wellness Plan.
Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans are cost-effective, high-quality preventive veterinary services that include live Vet ChatTM advice 24 hours a day, convenient virtual pet care options, routinely-recommended preventive care such as vaccines and physical exams, and a discount on most Banfield services and products not included in the package. Guests may request access to the Mars Petcare online service when they check-in to take advantage of this exclusive offer.
“We’re always looking to make a more welcoming world for pet parents and their pets, and the expansion of our partnership with Hilton to offer our services and expertise to guests at more than 4,600 hotels across North America is doing just that,” said Ikdeep Singh, Global President, Mars Pet Nutrition. “We strive to make communities more pet-friendly so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of a life with pets, and through this breakthrough collaboration, we’re proud to continue to find ways to make those benefits conveniently accessible even while traveling.”
“With 23 million families adding pets to their homes over the last two years, this summer will be the first time many of these pets hit the road with their pet parents,” said Jessa Paschke, Pet Behavior Consultant, Mars Pet Expert Team. “Through Mars PET On-Demand, we hope to be able to provide pet parents peace of mind through on-demand articles and one-on-one advice to make the whole travel experience, from packing to settling in at the hotel, as seamless as possible so everyone can enjoy their time away together.”
Phil Cordell, Global Category Head, Lifestyle Brands, and Global Brand Head, Canopy by Hilton, said, “Leaving a pet behind or boarding them when traveling can be stressful for both pets and their owners. Most hotels in Hilton’s pet-friendly brands welcome our guests and their furry friends, especially now when pet-friendly accommodations have become such a key factor in not only determining the destination but where to stay.”
Bill Duncan, Global Category Head, Focused Service & All Suites Brands, said, “A trip is always more fun when you can travel with the whole family – pets included. Now with 5,000 pet-friendly Hilton hotels to choose from worldwide, and with more than 4,600 in the U.S. and Canada offering exclusive perks available through our partnership with Mars Petcare, we’re excited to provide the hospitality guests expect from Hilton in more places to make their stay feel more like home.”
Pet bowls and additional trash bags are available at several of Hilton’s pet-friendly properties. Guests staying at Canopy by Hilton receive dog beds, food, water bowls, and a “bark bag” including a toy, snacks, and a guide to pet-friendly area activities.
Area pet-friendly resources are provided by Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton staff members, including where to find local dog parks, 24-hour vets, pet stores, and pet-friendly restaurants.
Visit BetterCitiesforPets.com or stories.hilton.com to discover more about how Mars Petcare and Hilton are creating a new standard in pet-friendly travel.
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*KRC Research conducted an online survey of 1,004 U.S. adults 18 and older between June 1 – 3, 2022.