New Rover Data Reveals Pet Parents Will Stay Closer to Home

Pet care remains a priority even as seventy-six percent of pet parents report their summer travel plans were impacted by the current economic environment

Seventy-eight percent of pet parents trade luxury travel for more affordable options, to avoid downgrading the quality of care their pets receive

SEATTLE, May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rover Group, Inc., the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care, today unveiled new data* that confirms the majority (89%) of pet parents will travel this summer, but are adjusting their plans due to economic pressures. According to Rover’s research, when making trade-offs pet parents are sacrificing their ideal vacation experience to prioritise their pet’s needs:

  • Prioritising Pets: 67% of pet parents prioritise their pet’s needs over their own, and 81% put more thought into what their pet needs than what to pack for themselves.
  • Modifying Itineraries: 92% are prioritising travel destinations closer to home, 28% will take fewer or no trips at all, and 30% are taking shorter trips than usual, because of the current economic environment.
  • Luxury travel is out: Nearly a third (29%) are prioritising more affordable accommodations or travel methods, including camping and road-tripping, compared to resorts and flying.
  • Rejecting Amenities: Nearly half (46%) of pet parents travelling with their pets admit to rejecting a well-rated hotel because the pet amenities didn’t meet their standards.
  • Downgrading for Care: Even when travelling without their pets, 78% would be willing to stay in a lower-rated, less expensive hotel to ensure their pet could stay with a 5-star pet sitter who meets their pet’s unique needs.

“Rover’s new research underscores what we already know: pet parents view their dogs and cats as integral family members, and while they may stay closer to home or cut a few days off of their summer vacation, their commitment won’t be shaken by economic uncertainty,” said Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and Rover Pet People Panelist. “The trade-offs pet parents are making when it comes to summer travel show a willingness to downgrade amenities for themselves, while at the same time investing in premium care and comfort for their pets, demonstrating pets are a non-negotiable part of the travel equation.”

Despite a desire to reduce costs overall, the financial commitment to pets remains strong. Pet parents are also willing to spend significantly to ensure their pets’ travel comfort:

  • Budget Priority: Pet-related expenses, on average, represent one fifth (20%) of a trip’s total budget (excluding human airfare and lodging).
  • Premium Comfort: 75% would pay extra for pet-friendly accommodations if it meant their pet would be less stressed, with 20% willing to spend up to $500 more.
  • Airline Seating: 69% of pet parents would pay for an extra seat on a plane just so their pet could sit next to them instead of under the seat.

The depth of the human-animal bond is also clear through major sacrifices and palpable separation anxiety that pet parents feel when leaving their beloved pet:

  • Major Sacrifices: 42% of pet parents would consider skipping an important event, such as a wedding or family reunion, if their pet wasn’t invited.
  • Cancelled Trips: Nearly a third (31%) have cancelled an expensive trip last minute because of their pet, with 13% cancelling due to lacking reliable pet care or suitable pet-friendly accommodations, 14% would miss their pet too much and be needed at home, and 4% cancelled because their pet looked too sad while they were packing.
  • Constant Contact: While apart, 48% video call their pets or ask for daily photo updates, and 43% check on them daily via GPS tracker or “nanny cam”.
  • Apology Souvenirs: The guilt for leaving them is real, with 66% bringing home souvenirs or gifts for their pets as an apology for leaving them behind.

“As the summer travel season begins, Rover’s survey insights reveal a powerful truth: pet parents are proactively reshaping their journeys to ensure their pets are well cared for,” said Ellis.

Pet parents looking for summer pet care solutions can find a loving, trusted sitter on Rover. With Victoria Day one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, Rover advises pet parents to secure pet care early.

* New Rover research based on an April 2026 survey of 500 Canadian pet parents, via Pollfish.

About Rover
Founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Washington, Rover is the world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care. Rover’s global footprint spans 18 countries, including North America (US and Canada) Europe, including the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Switzerland, Poland and Australia. Rover sees and serves the unique needs of every pet by connecting pet parents with pet care providers who offer overnight services, including boarding and in-home pet sitting, as well as daytime services, including doggy daycare, dog walking, drop-in visits, and now training. To learn more about Rover, please visit www.rover.com.

Press Contact:
Kristin Sandberg
pr@rover.com
360-510-6365

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

New Rover Data Reveals Pet Parents Will Stay Closer to Home and Forgo Luxury Travel this Summer, While Also Prioritizing Pets’ Needs

Rover Group, Inc. Pet care remains a priority even as seventy-three percent of pet parents report their summer travel plans were impacted by the current economic environment Seventy-eight percent of pet parents trade luxury travel for more affordable options, to avoid downgrading the quality of care their pets receive SEATTLE, May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)

Hong Kong turns the tables on Five Eyes Alliance

When the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law (NSL) was enacted in 2020, the Five Eyes alliance reacted with fury. Although its purpose was to restore stability after the attempted sabotage of the “one country, two systems” policy, they sought to punish the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and its people for its passage. They

UK tourists stay away from Cyprus

Cyprus tourism is seeing a 60% drop in bookings for the summer season compared to last year, reflecting the impact of the war in Iran. In particular, the main source of Cypriot tourism, the United Kingdom, is weakening.  British travelers, who make up the country’s largest tourism market, are showing hesitation and caution because of

Hong Kong’s Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority Arrest Suspected Illegal Worker in Anti-Illegal Worker Operation

Immigration Department and Travel Industry Authority mount joint anti-illegal worker operation The Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Travel Industry Authority (TIA) today (May 4) mounted a joint anti-illegal worker operation to combat illegal workers providing tourist guide and tour escort services in Hong Kong. A Mainland visitor, who is a suspected illegal worker, was arrested.

Traveling to Europe soon? These entry requirements have changed

article A 2022 passport stamp on an American passport when crossing the border at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport. (FOX Television Stations) For those traveling to Europe this summer or into the fall, some entry requirements are changing that could affect your travel.  Most travelers will need to get a quick online approval before flying into

Hong Kong Football Festival tickets go on early sale Thursday

The first batch of tickets for the Hong Kong Football Festival will go on early sale at noon on Thursday, as four top European clubs prepare to take part in the August showcase at Kai Tak Stadium. Teams including Manchester City, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Juventus are set to travel to Hong Kong for the

Hot Travel Deals: Global expeditions, Europe luxury cruises, New Zealand winter stays, Hong Kong and Rarotonga getaways

Sail across destinations including Alaska and the Mediterranean with Oceania Cruises, offering small-ship luxury and destination-focused journeys. From glacier cruising and wildlife encounters in Alaska to exploring historic ports and coastal cities in Europe, these voyages combine immersive experiences with refined onboard living, personalised service and renowned culinary offerings. Travellers can enjoy up to 50%

China adds trains for surging May Day holiday return trip demand

Passengers are seen at a platform of Nanjing Railway Station in Nanjing, East China’s Jiangsu province, May 1, 2026. (PHOTO / XINHUA) BEIJING – Chinese railways are bracing for the peak of return trips on the fourth day of a five-day May Day holiday, with the railway system expected to handle 20.3 million trips on

Local tourism revival anchors broader economic resilience

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region predicted it would welcome approximately 980,000 visitors from the Chinese mainland during the Labor Day Golden Week from May 1 to 5, representing a 7 percent increase over the previous year. This projection, announced earlier by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, signals more than a seasonal surge in visitor

China’s transportation network to handle 294 mln trips on 4th day of May Day holiday

China’s transportation network is expected to receive about 294 million passenger trips on Monday, the fourth day of the five-day-long May Day holiday, marking an increase of 4.2 percent compared with the same period of last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Transport. Railways in the country are estimated to handle 20.3 million

Visa-free transit boosts China’s inbound tourism during May Day holiday

China’s visa-free transit policy continued to boost inbound tourism during the May Day holiday, with multiple regions seeing growing numbers of foreign visitors. With last year’s implementation of the mutual visa-free policy between China and Russia, Hunchun Highway Port – Jilin Province’s only land port open to Russia – saw a continuous rise in inbound

China’s May Day holiday box office exceeds 550 mln yuan

China’s box office revenue during the May Day holiday exceeded 550 million yuan by Monday morning, the fourth day of the five-day holiday. The booming film market has boosted tourism and consumption across the country, with moviegoers enjoying discounts in some scenic spots, stores and restaurants with film ticket stubs. Various forms of film-watching subsidies

ITE Hong Kong 2026: Plenty of Bright Spots

Great Sourcing & Networking for Asian Travel Trade & Affluent FIT HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ITE Hong Kong 2026 – the 40th edition of ITE‑Leisure and the 21st ITE‑MICE – will be held from June 11 to 14 with first two days for trade, next two for public. Ranked world’s 14th largest

Travelling With Pets On Vande Bharat? Follow This Booking Process

With more passengers choosing to travel with their pets, Indian Railways has introduced a dedicated pet box service on Vande Bharat sleeper trains. This facility allows pets, primarily dogs, to be transported safely in a secure enclosure during the journey. However, unlike regular ticket bookings, the process is manual and comes with specific rules that

ITE Hong Kong 2026: Plenty of Bright Spots

Great Sourcing & Networking for Asian Travel Trade & Affluent FIT HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ITE Hong Kong 2026 – the 40th edition of ITE‑Leisure and the 21st ITE‑MICE – will be held from June 11 to 14 with first two days for trade, next two for public. ITE Hong Kong 2026

UK relaxes airport slot rules to shield summer travel from jet-fuel disruption

Britain’s Department for Transport has moved quickly to inoculate the peak holiday season against a mounting energy crunch triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In a press-release issued on 2 May, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed that emergency legislation will temporarily relax the strict “use-it-or-lose-it” rules that normally force airlines to operate

Hong Kong receives influx of inland holidaymakers

From tech-driven interactions to coastal and mountain hiking and in-depth sightseeing, Hong Kong tourism is being revitalized with fresh ideas during the five-day May Day holiday. The May Day holiday, running from May 1 to 5, is typically one of the busiest travel periods of the year. During this time, millions of Chinese travelers hit

Cultural, tourism programs enrich China’s May Day holiday travel

Destinations across China have rolled out a variety of cultural and tourism programs for the five-day May Day holiday, which started on Friday, as travelers embrace both short suburban getaways and long-distance trips. In Jiangxi Province, Shangrao has launched a sightseeing train linking scenic destinations including Mount Sanqing and Mount Guifeng, the latter recognized by

The Hari Hong Kong Promotes Slow Travel Experiences

Slow Travel at The Hari Hong Kong Connects City and Nature The Hari Hong Kong is encouraging travellers to explore Hong Kong at a slower pace, highlighting experiences that combine urban discovery with access to nature. Located in Wan Chai, the hotel provides a base for extended stays, allowing visitors to explore both historic neighbourhoods

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x