When your family travels, how much thought do you give to the animals you will see on your trip? Have you been looking for a way to do more than just enjoy the tourist attractions and leave? Consider Compassionate Travel. The World Society for the Protection of Animals has list of Travel Do’s and Travel Don’ts on their site that can help you plan your trip and learn about animal conservation and preservation at the same time. You can also learn how to be part of the solution instead of engaging in activities that are part of the problem (like Dolphin Encounters and camel rides). You can also volunteer to help animals at your destination.
Here’s some tips you can use for your next trip:
- Involve your kids in the research process of your next trip and let them help to decide which animals might need the most help. If your kids can identify with the problem you’re helping to solve, they’ll learn to enjoy the process of planning your road trip more, and feel more ownership over the work you’re doing.
- Discuss why you choose certain tour companies or vendors, and how to tell the difference.
- Save blankets, towels and other supplies for the local humane society ahead of time, and take them with you to donate. This might even make a great fundraiser as a family project.
What tips can you share? Anything your family recommends? Tips for other parents?
