A Guide to Pet-Friendly Travel with Hertz Car Rental

At Hertz, we understand your pets are part of the family, that’s why we have a stress-free pet policy.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about planning a pawsome road trip with your furry friends, our pet policies and recommendations on traveling with dogs.

Pet Policy and Fees

Our rental process makes traveling with pets a walk in the park. We don’t require anything extra from you when booking. Pets are allowed in our vehicles, and they don’t need to be added to your car rental reservation.

You’ll only ever be charged a fee if there’s damage or if the rental requires special cleaning after your reservation. Keep costs down by following our tips for pet security and cleanliness.

Safety Recommendations

What to Do with Pets While Traveling in the Car?

Keeping everyone safe is the top priority when traveling with pets. We recommend that you secure your favorite backseat driver with a harness or carrier that you can attach to the vehicle’s seat belt. A carrier is a portable container designed to safely hold your pet during travel.

If you’re using a carrier when traveling with dogs in the car, make sure it’s well-ventilated to keep your furry friend feeling their best. It should also be large enough for them to sit down, lie down, stand up, or turn around (plus tail wags too).

Using a carrier is safest for you and your loyal companion as it keeps them out of the way so you can keep your eyes on the road. It also provides another layer of protection in case of a collision.

The only thing we ask at Hertz is that all pet owners bring their own pet seatbelts and carriers when they rent from us.

Second Tag

A golden rule when traveling with pets is to get a second tag for your pet’s collar before you set off. This tag should include your name, phone number, and the address of where you’ll be staying on the trip. This simple step ensures that if you and your pet become separated, there’s a greater chance you’ll be quickly reunited.

Pet-Friendly Destinations and Stops

There’s nothing better than sharing memories on the road with your best friend – and the same goes for your pets. To ensure your four-legged pal has a pawsitive experience, follow these tips for traveling with pets:

Take Frequent Breaks

If you’re traveling with dogs in the car over a long distance, stopping for breaks is very important. The AAA recommends drivers stop every two hours to take a break. Not only does it give them (and you) a chance to stretch their legs, but it also doubles up as a toilet break.

Plan Your Stops

Ensure you stop at locations with facilities for your pets to go to the bathroom, stretch their legs, and stay hydrated.

Avoid Feeding on the Move

Like humans, pets can get car sick. To help avoid your pet feeling unwell while traveling, don’t feed them mid-trip or in the moving car. Instead, you should feed them a light meal a few hours before you leave.

Have Their Lead Ready

When at a rest stop, make sure you have their lead to hand so you can secure them before letting them out.

Pets can become a bit disorientated during travel, and even perfectly behaved pooches can become a flight risk if they’re out of sorts.

Practice Trips

If you’re planning to travel with dogs over a long distance, you should try to take them out on some test journeys first. Take several short trips in the weeks leading up to your road trip to help get your furry friend used to the car. Gradually lengthen the journey time so they’ll be ready for the big day.

This will also give you a chance to see how they find the car, if they’re anxious travelers or if they get car sick, so you can plan accordingly. 

Emergency Situations

It's wise to pack a pet travel kit with all the essentials your pet might need, including items that could be useful in case of an emergency.

Here are some things to include:

• Food
• Water
• Bowl
• Grooming supplies
• Favorite toy or pillow
• Veterinary records
• Medication
• First aid kit

Cleanliness and Damage

We strive to keep both owners smiling and pets wagging. That’s why you will only be charged a fee if there is damage to the vehicle or if special cleaning is required after your rental.

Excessive pet hair, soiling, or any damage caused by animals will result in an additional cleaning charge.