As the owner of a bed & breakfast in Oaxaca, Mexico, I frequently answer inquiries from travelers planning to visit the city who intend to take the family dog ​​or cat for the vacation. They initially ask if pets are allowed at our guest level, and then, after receiving a negative response, in a second email they ask for the names of alternative hotels or other accommodations that do accept pets. The advice is always the same, but the inquiries keep coming.

This pet lover and owner of a tabby boxer is not a pet psychologist, nor does he profess to know intimately what is right or wrong when it comes to decisions about the family dog ​​or cat (or one’s children for that matter. God knows we have made and will continue to make mistakes in raising our daughter), nor the impact that leaving a pet could have on the stray dog ​​or its “parents” or “siblings.” However, there are certain factors that should at least be considered before finally deciding to take Fido or Tabby on a trip.

Yes, some hotels and guesthouses in Oaxaca accept pets, including cats and dogs.

Of course, practically every major tourist city in the civilized world includes a hotel, guesthouse, or bed & breakfast that accepts pets, at a minimum, cats and dogs. Oaxaca is no exception. For example, a couple of members of the Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast Association are happy to extend invitations to all fours. But most avoid the idea of ​​even the possibility of a cat meowing or barking a dog and therefore have to deal with complaints from guests who do not have pets. There are certainly exceptions; But what could it reveal about the quality of the accommodation if the owner is struggling to rent rooms to the point where he feels compelled to accept dogs, cats, rats, parrots, snakes and lizards?

Your choice of lodging is drastically reduced by restricting your selection to accommodations in Oaxaca that accept pets. Is the holiday for Homo sapiens in the family, or for canines and felines?

But think of the poor pet, no matter how attached you insist he is to the family.

Believe it or not, family pets are indeed different from human family members, no matter how much we treat them the same way we treat ourselves, no matter that they sleep with us in our beds, no matter They choose in our emotions and even thoughts. After the first few hours of the road trip to Oaxaca, won’t the pet be less patient than the children? Can you play board games in the car? Would you be happier if you were cared for in a quality home facility where you can have fun with your own kind?

When we are on vacation we approach Tito with a dog trainer. Now, seven years later, every time we start gathering up his food and water bowls, and tying up and drowning the chain for the ride, he gets unimaginably excited, feeling like he’s leaving once again for the country club.

Pet owners with a dog or cat in Oaxaca are otherwise restricted

Many ruins and cultural attractions do not allow pets, on a leash or otherwise. Yes, the dog or cat can be left in the car with the windows ajar. But do you want to risk going back to the parking lot and finding that Fido has fled the coup with the help of an Oaxacan eager to turn the catch into currency? Do you want to be constantly obsessed with that possibility instead of spending all your energy enjoying Monte Alban, Mitla or a market? Bringing the pet will drastically restrict its ability to enjoy a number of priority tourist spots.

If you’re still not convinced, consider hosting the pet in Oaxaca and compare the costs

It’s true that shipping costs in the US and Canada are prohibitive for most of us.

Consequently, as a last-ditch effort to convert those who have otherwise engaged, consider tackling the beast here in Oaxaca. The advantages of doing so include:

• The cost is about a quarter of what it costs at home.

• Your vacation will have no restrictions on the sights you can see.

• Hopefully, you won’t constantly obsess over your dog or cat’s condition; and you won’t have to incur long distance calls to be safe.

• Your pet can still enjoy spending quality time with the rest of the family driving through the American Midwest.

• You can come by to see him every day and exchange stories about how the day was. Most boarding facilities have posted visiting hours.

• You will have the vacation of a lifetime, and maybe even learn a little Spanish for pets.

• You will not have such restrictions to select a hotel or B & B and, consequently, your vacation in Oaxaca will be much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Since pet boarding facilities in Mexico invariably have canine psychologists on staff, you can kill the proverbial two birds with one stone – use the first half hour for the dog to deal with his stress and the other half hour for you. .