First, you have to plan ahead. There are many pet-friendly accommodations available on the Outer Banks. Check out our variety of pet-friendly vacation rentals to find your perfect vacation getaway! And you won't have to let bringing Fido on vacation spoil your all-day outing plans like that off-shore fishing charter or drive down to Hatteras Lighthouse... just have a local pet sitter come to your rental home to check on your dog while you're away for the day. Happy Home Pet Sitting Services, for example, is American Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR certified as well as certified by NAPPS (National Association of Professional Pet Sitters).

Boarding your dog is also an option in the event that you are unable to find a suitable rental home that allows pets. Several local veterinary hospitals offer boarding services and there are a few kennels within driving distance. While here, you can take your dog out of the kennel during the day, and the two of you can have fun. Just remember to make your dog's boarding reservations well in advance of your vacation (space fills up quickly during the summer) and make sure that your four-legged friend is up to date on all necessary vaccinations. Check with the specific veterinary hospital or boarding facility; usually current distemper/parvo, kennel cough, and rabies vaccines are required. Whether staying at a pet-friendly rental or boarding your dog, there are several things to keep in mind while here:

• Fleas and ticks are abundant on the Outer Banks. Bring protection (for example, Advantix or Frontline, or some other flea/tick control).
• There is lots of traffic during the summer, and dogs off-leash are at risk of being hit by cars. This is more common here than people think! Bring a leash and keep your dog on it (most municipalities here have leash laws).
• Salt water, if a dog drinks it, causes vomiting and diarrhea. If you take your dog to the ocean or the sound, bring fresh water for him or her to drink.
• Beach sand and pavement get hot on sunny days, and dogs’ feet can easily be burned. Remember, if you can’t walk on the beach in your bare feet, then neither should your dog. Mornings or early evenings are the best times to take a dog (check local ordinances for additional information).
• In case of an emergency, any of the local veterinary hospitals can accommodate you and your dog during the day. At night, (after hours) emergency service is available but limited. The local veterinary hospitals take turns being "on call" on a rotational basis. The nearest 24-hour fully staffed veterinary emergency clinic is at least an hour away in Chesapeake, Virginia. Keep this in mind, especially if you are bringing a dog that is ill or has a chronic disease.