Sixteen years ago, when we launched GoPetFriendly, our mission was simple: make it easier for people to travel with their pets. Back then, planning a vacation with your dog or cat was a challenge. Finding pet-friendly accommodations or activities often felt like hunting for a needle in a haystack, and many people considered traveling with pets to be an unnecessary hassle.
It wasn’t that taking your pets on vacation was an entirely new idea. A few dedicated pet lovers had been traveling with their furry companions for years, but they were the exception. For most people, traveling with a pet was an outlier choice. Pets on planes, hotels that didn’t allow animals, and the general stress of coordinating everything—it seemed more trouble than it was worth.
A Shift in Pet Travel Culture
Fast forward to today, and the landscape has completely changed. It’s almost hard to remember a time when pet travel wasn’t as accepted as it is now. Looking back, I like to think that GoPetFriendly played a part in sparking that change. Millions of pet owners have visited our site, seeking pet-friendly destinations, and it’s been absolutely rewarding to witness this shift firsthand.
As more people began to travel with their pets, businesses started to recognize the demand. Hotels, restaurants, and even entire cities began touting their pet-friendly policies. Pet-friendly signs popped up on billboards, websites, and storefront windows. Now, walk around most cities, and it’s common to find as many businesses welcoming pets as those that don’t. It’s the exact shift we dreamed of when we started the site, and it’s heartening to see it become a reality.
However, with this cultural shift comes change for us, too.
Transitioning and Embracing New Beginnings
After twelve wonderful years of traveling the country in our motorhome, Rod and I have settled in Bisbee, Arizona—a place that’s as pet-friendly as it gets. The time we spent on the road had been incredibly fulfilling, but it’s exciting to finally have a base where we can enjoy a different pace of life.
With more free time, I decided to return to school and explore something entirely new. I completed a certificate program in AutoCAD, the software used by architects and designers to draw building plans. Along with that, I took several courses in residential construction. It was an unexpected, but incredibly fun, adventure. The excitement of learning new skills invigorated me, and I started thinking about new projects.
Meanwhile, the world of technology was evolving faster than ever, especially with the recent leaps in Artificial Intelligence (AI). While there are certainly concerns about how AI might shape our future, I remember a similar reaction when self-checkout lanes were first introduced at grocery stores. I swore I’d never use them—but eventually, we all adapt. Just as AI is now reshaping how we plan our travels, it’s also impacting the way people search for pet-friendly travel options.
Saying Goodbye to GoPetFriendly’s Directory
Over the past year, we’ve noticed a significant drop in the number of people visiting GoPetFriendly’s directory. With the rise of AI, like ChatGPT, planning a pet-friendly trip has become much easier. Why spend time scrolling through directories when you can simply ask an AI and receive immediate results? While AI certainly offers convenience, it’s still crucial to verify that the information is accurate, as you would when using any directory. But, as technology advances, the need for our directory has diminished.
After much consideration, we’ve made the decision to shut down the pet-friendly directory by the end of the month. It served its purpose, and now, it’s time to free up time and resources for new ventures.
Keeping the Blog Alive
What about the blog? Don’t worry, we’re not abandoning it just yet! The blog holds a treasure trove of memories, shared experiences, and useful information that’s still valuable to pet travelers. Even though much of the content may be a little dated, it will hopefully continue to inspire and assist those who wish to explore the world with their pets.
And who knows? I may still post from time to time when I find something exciting to share. For now, we’re keeping the blog running because, unlike AI, it’s a reflection of our personal journey, our hands-on research, and the real experiences we’ve had with our pets.
The Next Big Adventure
As many of you know, Rod and I purchased a 3-acre lot in southern Colorado a few years ago, dreaming of building a home on a mountaintop. While we originally thought we’d settle in Bisbee, that dream of building on the lot is now becoming a reality. The months of research and planning have come together, and I’m about to apply everything I learned in my construction courses to create our dream home.
In May, we’ll begin breaking ground. The house, a panelized prefab model, will be delivered in June, and we’ll handle the finishing touches ourselves. Of course, the weather in Colorado can be unpredictable, but we’re excited to get started. This is a massive new adventure, and I’m eager to share our journey with you.
Join Us for the Ride!
I know that many of you have followed GoPetFriendly for years, and I want to take a moment to say how deeply grateful I am for the friendships and support we’ve received. It’s been an incredible ride, and I’m thrilled to invite you to join us on the next phase of our journey.
I’ve started a YouTube channel to document the progress of building our new home. The first video is up, where I explain why we chose a prefab home, and I’ll be posting weekly updates as we go. And, of course, at the end of each video, I’m including a special treat for my loyal GoPetFriendly community—just a small way to say thank you.
Fair warning: the video quality is rough at the start, but we’re learning and improving with every post. Much like our early blog posts, the first steps in this new adventure are just the beginning.
Looking Ahead
As GoPetFriendly transitions, I reflect on all that we’ve accomplished and look forward to what comes next. While AI and technology have certainly changed how we plan travel, there’s still something uniquely special about experiencing the world with our pets in tow. It’s a bond that can’t be replaced by algorithms or automation.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to sharing more, and I hope you’ll stay with us as we embark on this exciting new chapter.
