A Lake District holiday park company has seen an increase in the number of people taking their dogs on holiday this year with more than 600 bookings being taken for specific dog-friendly accommodation.

South Lakeland Holidays, which runs six holiday parks across the Lake District and Lancashire has experienced such a demand for dog-friendly caravans and lodges that they are now introducing a selection of new dog friendly lodges on the 5-star Fallbarrow Park in Bowness on Windermere for 2014. This will be the first time that holidaymakers can stay in some of the parks’ luxury lodges with their furry friends.

This comes on the back of recent disturbing figures from the RSPCA, which show that more people are abandoning their pets - particularly during the summer months - instead of paying costly kennel fees. The number of abandoned pets was up 34 per cent to more than 37,000 in the last year across England and Wales.*

Janette Vaughan, Holiday Reservations Manager at South Lakeland Holidays, said: “We’ve recognised the demand for people taking their dogs on holiday so we’ve opened up some selected new lodges on Fallbarrow Park to dogs from next year. However, we would advise dog lovers to get in quick with bookings, as our pet friendly units are now always the first to get booked up each year.

“We’re a nation of animal lovers and nowadays dogs are treated as a key part of the family, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to take them away with you. Especially to places like the Lake District where the walks are second to none.”

A selection of dog friendly accommodation is available across all six South Lakeland Holidays’ parks with dedicated enclosed exercise areas on site.

The countryside parks of Limefitt at Troutbeck in the Lake District and Todber at Gisburn in the Ribble Valley are particularly popular with dog owners due to the range of scenic walks direct from the front door of caravans and lodges and the largest choice of dog-friendly accommodation can be found at Windermere’s White Cross Bay.

Dog friendly breaks start from £324** at White Cross Bay and can be booked all year round although availability is limited. Dog friendly lodges on Fallbarrow Park for 2014 start from just £259 and can be booked now by calling 015395 69835 or visiting www.slholidays.co.uk.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

· For more information, images, or enquiries about press visits (with or without dogs!), please contact Julie Darroch at Lakes PR on 078909 11722 or email julie.darroch@lakespr.co.uk

· South Lakeland Parks operate nine holiday parks throughout the Lake District and Lancashire in a mix of countryside, lakeside and seaside locations. Six of these are open to holidaymakers – White Cross Bay, Fallbarrow and Limefitt in the Lake District, Todber in the Ribble Valley and Ocean Edge and Regent on Morecambe Bay. For more information, visit www.slholidays.co.uk.

· *http://news.rspca.org.uk/2013/06/26/animals-treated-like-rubbish 

• **Includes extra charge of £25 per dog on short breaks.