For many Americans, travel has become an integral part of their lifestyle. Despite rising travel-related costs, travelers continue to prioritize trips and adjust their everyday spending to do so. This ongoing demand is reflected in the latest U.S. Travel Forecast report, which projects U.S. travel spending will reach $1.37 trillion in 2026 and grow to $1.42 trillion by 2027. Domestic travel is expected to account for most U.S. travel spending in 2026.

At the same time, pet ownership remains widespread across the country, with 95 million U.S. households owning at least one pet and 71 million households owning a dog. As Americans continue to make room in their budgets and schedules for family vacations, weekend getaways, business trips, and other travel, time away can also create a need for pet care services they can rely on to care for their furry family members while they’re away.

For prospective franchisees, investing in franchise opportunities in the multibillion-dollar pet care industry that offer trusted pet care and overnight boarding services can  help serve dog owners who need care when they travel.

In this post, we cover how changing travel habits in the U.S. can help shape demand for pet care services, including:

SHORTER DOMESTIC TRIPS CAN STILL REQUIRE PET CARE

When you think about travel-related pet care, you might picture pet owners heading out of the country and arranging overnight boarding for their pets. While extended vacations can certainly create a need for pet care services, domestic travel can also generate many of the same needs.

The U.S. Travel Forecast indicates domestic travel is expected to account for 87% of total U.S. travel spending in 2026, with travelers increasingly choosing shorter-duration trips and regional destinations.

For pet parents, a road trip to another state, a weekend getaway, a domestic business trip, or a visit with family may require arranging a safe place for their dog to stay while they are away. Even shorter trips can require overnight pet care, and the broader range of travel occasions can create opportunities for pet care needs throughout the year, including outside traditional vacation periods such as spring break and the holidays.

At Dogtopia, the combination of dog daycare and overnight boarding gives franchisees opportunities to serve pet parents regularly while also providing care when travel takes them away from home.

PET-FRIENDLY TRAVEL CAN CREATE DOG DAYCARE OPPORTUNITIES

When evaluating the needs of traveling pet owners, overnight boarding is just one aspect to consider. 78% of American pet owners travel with their pets each year, and 55% of dog owners, in particular, adjust their travel plans to accommodate their pets, highlighting the potential for dog daycare services to help pet owners attend events or visit attractions that aren’t pet-friendly.

For prospective franchisees, this creates another opportunity to serve customers whose travel plans include their pets, as they can meet the needs of visitors or regional travelers who may only be in town for a short duration. At Dogtopia, franchisees can provide dog daycare for customers who need daytime care, along with overnight boarding for longer stays, allowing a franchisee and their team to meet different travel-related needs.

THE DEMAND FOR CONVENIENT, QUALITY PET CARE

77% of American consumers say convenience is a key factor in their purchase decisions. That preference can also extend to pet care, particularly when travel adds another layer of planning to an already busy schedule. Accessible pet care services that meet different needs can make it easier for pet owners to book the right care around their travel plans.

Quality and trust also matter when pet owners choose who will care for their pet while they’re away. With 61% of pet owners willing to spend the same amount or more on their pets’ wellness than their own, many place a high value on the care and well-being of their pets. When travel requires spending time away from home, that commitment can make finding pet care services they trust an especially important part of their trip plans.

At Dogtopia, we prioritize the trust our customers place in us every day as we care for their dogs. We encourage our customers to check in on their dogs with our live webcams and DASH activity reports. Having reached an all-time high Net Promoter Score of 90 for consumer satisfaction in the first quarter of 2026, customer loyalty reflects the strong relationships our franchisees have built with parents across our network. Our franchisees have the opportunity to build a business around an established model that emphasizes consistent care, transparency, safety, and dog wellness, giving their customers the confidence they need when traveling or managing everyday routines.

READ MORE: Why Routine-Based Businesses Thrive in Franchising

MULTIPLE PET CARE SERVICES CAN HELP MEET VARIOUS TRAVEL NEEDS

Travel can look different for every pet owner, so the type of care they need can vary from one trip to another. Having several services available from one provider can give pet owners more flexibility as they plan around different schedules and trip lengths.

For example, someone preparing for a trip may use dog daycare while they handle last-minute errands, arrange overnight dog boarding while they’re away, and schedule a doggie spa treatment for their dog after the trip. For prospective franchisees, a multi-service pet care model can create several opportunities to serve the same customer as their needs change.

At Dogtopia, for instance, a parent may first find us for overnight dog boarding but stick with us for ongoing dog daycare and spa treatments after their trip, turning a travel-related need into an ongoing customer relationship.

READ MORE: What Makes Dogtopia a Lifestyle Franchise, Not Just a Transactional Business

51% of U.S. adults have traveled for business within the past year and one in five are considered frequent business travelers who took three or more work trips. Business travel grew to $317 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach $319 billion in 2026, indicating a growing segment of Americans who require work-related travel.

For dog owners who travel for work, pet care needs can look different from those who may occasionally book vacations, for example. A conference, client meeting, or business trip may require them to arrange dependable care for their dog on a recurring basis, making familiar, convenient pet care services essential.

For prospective franchisees, investing in a franchise model that becomes part of pet owners’ everyday routine can be especially valuable for serving those who travel regularly for work. At Dogtopia, for example, our franchisees provide consistent daycare and overnight boarding services, with recurring daycare enrollment options.  Those regular daycare relationships can also make Dogtopia a familiar choice when a parent needs overnight boarding for a work trip.

READ MORE: Why Pet Service Franchises Often Become Part of a Customer’s Daily Life

FRANCHISING WITH DOGTOPIA

Dogtopia is North America’s leading dog daycare franchise and a trusted name in the pet care industry. With our multi-service approach that includes dog daycare, overnight dog boarding, doggie spa treatments, dog grooming, and dog training, we help meet pet parents’ needs on an ongoing basis, including travelers who need trusted dog care for short or long trips.

For prospective franchisees, changing travel habits are one part of the broader opportunity to serve dog owners’ whose care needs can vary from everyday routines to overnight stays and travel-related arrangements. If you are interested in bringing a Dogtopia to your community, please reach out using our convenient online inquiry form.

Have questions about franchising with Dogtopia? Check out our FAQ page for details on our franchise business model, the support we offer franchisees, the technology we implement, and more.

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