When moving to another place, many clinicians wonder the same thing:
Can travel nurses bring pets on assignment? The answer is: Absolutely! Travel nursing with pets is very common, and with planning, it can be safe and fun to take your best friends with you.
For those of you with fur-babies, Nursa created this guide on housing, transport, and veterinary care so that you can move with your pet without stress.
Finding pet-friendly housing
Bringing pets on travel nursing assignments is totally possible when transport, time, vet care, and housing are aligned. Before bringing your pets on travel assignments, make sure your rental accepts them.
Here's how to handle this part of the planning process and avoid surprises in your new city.
What to expect with deposits and restrictions
Short-term and furnished rentals tend to be more restricted and deny people with pets because landlords worry about their furniture. When comparing options for travel nurse housing with pets, expect some of the following:
- A refundable pet deposit on top of your security deposit
- A monthly pet rent on top of the usual rate
- Breed restrictions, which most often affect larger dogs
- Weight limits frequently capped at 25-50 pounds in furnished units
Some listings advertise as pet-friendly but allow only cats or small dogs. It’s always wise to confirm the details for your specific animal before signing.
How to secure a pet-friendly place
Finding pet-friendly housing as a travel nurse can take a lot of your time, so start searching the moment you accept the assignment. A few tactics that consistently work:
- Search with pet-friendly filters on short-term rental platforms and travel nurse housing groups.
- Weigh a housing service, which can pre-screen options, against finding your own place, which often leaves more room to negotiate.
- Build a “pet resume” that includes your pet's age, breed, weight, training, a photo, vet references, and proof of vaccinations.
- Offer to negotiate—a slightly higher deposit or landlord references can flip a hesitant "no" into a "yes."
A prepared pet parent is a landlord's favorite kind of tenant.
What are the transport options when you have a pet?
Once you've solved where to stay, you still need to know how to get there. For most nurses, that means driving or flying, plus some health prep.
Driving with your pet
For most nurses, travel nursing with a puppy means driving, and a road trip with pets requires some logistics:
- Secure your pet in a crash-tested crate or harness.
- Plan rest stops every 2-3 hours.
- Never leave your animal alone in a hot or cold car.
If the drive spans multiple days, book pet-friendly lodging in advance, and build the route around your animal's needs rather than the fastest arrival time.
Flying with your pet
Flying with pets as a travel nurse is possible, but more complicated.
Small pets can often ride in-cabin in an approved carrier, while larger animals may need to travel in cargo, which carries more restrictions and risk. Policies, fees, and paperwork vary widely by airline.
Contact your airline for current requirements, and talk with your veterinarian about whether flying is right for your pet—those sources should guide every flight decision.
Health and vet prep before you go
No matter how you travel, get the paperwork in order first. Keeping updated vet records for travel nursing means current vaccinations, a copy of your pet's medical history, and enough medication for your first week on assignment. Some states require a certificate of veterinary inspection; ask your vet which applies to your route.
Before you arrive, identify a vet clinic and an emergency animal hospital near your assignment. Your veterinarian is the authority here—lean on them for anything health-related.
Pet care during 12-hour shifts
So, what does travel nurse pet care look like when you're gone 13 or 14 hours at a stretch?
Make a plan before your first shift, not after.
Travel nursing with dogs
Travel nurse dog care during shifts usually means hiring help. Dog walkers break up the day with a midday visit, doggy daycare covers the full shift for social dogs, and pet sitters offer in-home care that's gentler on anxious animals.
Some nurses build networks with neighbors or coworkers—another nurse on an opposite rotation can be the perfect trade-off partner. If you're a travel nurse with a dog, be realistic: puppies can't hold it for a 12-hour shift and typically need daycare or multiple daily visits.
Travel nursing with cats
Travel nursing with cats is generally easier, since most cats handle alone time well. Still, a new environment can stress them, so give your cat a few days to settle before your first shift, and make sure the unit's temperature stays safe—extreme heat or cold in a poorly insulated rental is a real risk.
Cats, older dogs, and independent breeds handle long shifts best, which is why they're often called the best pets for travel nurses. However, you also need to factor in daycare or walker fees into your budget.
Budgeting for travel nursing with a pet
Budgeting for pets while travel nursing means adding a realistic line item to every contract you consider. Your estimate should include the following:
- Pet deposits and pet rent (variable depending on the assignment location)
- Daycare, walkers, or sitters
- Transport costs, including pet-friendly lodging or airline pet fees
- Vet visits, health certificates, and medication refills
Even after accounting for additional costs, most travel nurses consider being able to bring their pets on assignments worth it.
Choosing pet-friendly assignments and locations
Every contract is unique. Before accepting, evaluate the local climate, ensure your housing has nearby green space for exercise, and confirm that your shift schedule leaves enough time for daily care.
When the facility experiences heavy patient fluctuations, mandatory overtime, or alternating schedules, daily pet care becomes more difficult and affects your budget.
Research the hospital ratings before signing, and prioritize flexible options that give you more time with your pets.
An alternative that keeps your pet at home
If traveling with your pet is too difficult, do not worry. There is another path for you: local PRN shifts.
Per diem shifts near home can also give you the experience of changing your routine, while allowing you to finish your shift and go back home. You won't get the experience of relocating, but you skip the housing search, deposits, transport stress, and pet care logistics entirely.
If you want to travel or relocate, another benefit of PRN nursing is the opportunity to test-drive cities before moving to them. Staying in the place you want to live in for a week or two helps you decide whether it's what you are looking for and whether it will be pleasant for your pet as well.
You don't need to leave your pet behind for per diem shifts
With Nursa, you can pick up local PRN shifts on your own schedule—no relocation, no boarding, and no pet logistics required. Your pet keeps their routine, and you keep your flexibility.
Sign up with Nursa today to find per diem shifts near you.
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