My golden retriever, Scout, has been on eight contracts with me. He's lived in Arizona, Colorado, Tennessee, and Oregon. He's a better traveler than most humans I know. Here's everything I've learned about making travel therapy work with a pet.
Finding pet-friendly furnished housing is harder than finding regular furnished housing, but it's far from impossible. Here's the hierarchy of options:
Furnished Finder: Filter for pet-friendly. About 40% of listings allow pets. Contact landlords early — pet-friendly units go fast in popular markets.
Airbnb: Many hosts allow pets, especially for longer stays. Message before booking to confirm and discuss any additional cleaning fees.
Extended stay hotels: Some chains (Residence Inn, Home2 Suites) are pet-friendly. Negotiate monthly rates directly with the property manager. These work well as temporary housing while you look for a longer-term rental.
Facebook groups: Travel nurse and travel therapist housing groups often have landlords who specifically welcome pets. Search "[City Name] travel nurse housing" on Facebook.
You're working 8-hour days. Your pet needs care while you're gone. Options: doggy daycare (budget $25-40/day), a dog walker from Rover ($15-25/visit), or a pet-friendly apartment where your dog can be comfortable alone with a midday walk. Most dogs adjust well to the routine within a week of starting a new contract.
Cat owners have it easier here — cats generally handle being alone during work hours well, as long as the new apartment is properly cat-proofed.
| Expense | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Pet rent premium | $25-75 |
| Pet deposit (amortized over 13 weeks) | $50-125 |
| Doggy daycare (2x/week) | $200-320 |
| Pet insurance | $30-60 |
| Total additional monthly cost | $305-580 |
Even at the high end, the additional cost of traveling with a pet is well within the financial margin that travel therapy provides over permanent positions. Your pet's happiness (and yours) is worth it.
For help finding affordable housing in specific cities, check our city-by-city housing guide.
Yes. Many travel therapists bring pets. The main challenges are finding pet-friendly housing and accounting for pet deposits, but both are manageable with planning.
Usually $25-75 more per month in rent plus a pet deposit of $200-500. Some landlords on Furnished Finder explicitly welcome pets.
Carry your pet's full medical records digitally. Research emergency vets in each new city before you arrive. Many travelers use Banfield Pet Hospital for continuity since they have locations nationwide.
Common breed restrictions affect pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Dobermans. If you have a restricted breed, start your housing search earlier and be upfront with landlords. Some are flexible if you have a good rental history and renters insurance.
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