Whether it’s a road trip with Rex or booking a pet-friendly cottage with Charlie, more Canadian pet parents are now planning on travelling with their furry friends this summer as pandemic restrictions begin to loosen, according to a newly released survey.

The poll of 500 Canadians by Rover.com shows that nearly six in 10 dog owners plan bring their pup along on their summer trip compared to less than four in 10 before the pandemic.

With the typical summer travel season upended by COVID-19, Canadians are getting more creative with travel plans, including the greater likelihood of driving holidays rather than flying, says Rover.

According to results from the July survey:

• 67% of dog owners had summer plans that they had to cancel due to the coronavirus

• 35% of dog owners planned to bring their pet with them

Current state of affairs

• 62% of pet parents are either considering or still plan to travel this summer, now that lockdown measures are easing

• 67% of dog owners are planning travel by car or RV this summer

• Only 22% are planning to travel by air

• Now, 59% of pet parents plan to bring their dog with them on their summer trip

• Only 11% of pet parents would feel comfortable leaving their dog at a kennel/boarding business while they travel this summer

Founded in 2011, Washington-based Rover says it is the world’s largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers with over 300,000 community members in 10 countries.