Three years ago, Pam Woitas of Plum searched the Internet looking for hotel accommodations for both her family and their new pet, Sandy, a small mixed-breed.

Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette From left, Tim, Kari, Pam and Timmy Woitas took their dog, Sandy, on a trip to Dollywood amusement park, which had a pet day-care area called Doggywood. Click photo for larger image. Pet-friendly hotels Several hotels in the Pittsburgh area welcome pets. Some don't require a deposit; others have pet fees ranging from $5 to $50. Here's a sampling of those hotels: AmeriSuites, Airport Days Inn Westin Convention Center Hampton Inn Hilton Quality Suites Holiday Inn Omni William Penn Marriott, Green Tree Red Roof Inn Super 8 Motel Web sites that can help you plan a dog-friendly summer vacation: www.petfun.org www.dogfriendly.com www.petwelcome.com www.tripswithpets.com www.traveldog.com -- Nate Guidry

After several unsuccessful attempts, the Woitases found a cabin at Little Valley Mountain Resort in Sevierville, Tenn.

For the next few days they enjoyed the attractions at the nearby Dollywood amusement park, set up by country singer Dolly Parton.

"We had just gotten a new puppy and decided to go on vacation, and, of course, we had to take our pet," said Mrs. Woitas. "I searched Internet sites to find someplace you could take a pet, and there weren't a lot around. We decided to go to Dollywood, and it was really nice."

Dollywood even had Doggywood, a day-care area for pets.

The Woitases were able to walk their dog in the woods, take her to dinner at a local restaurant and spend time with her on the back porch of their cabin.

"My kids thought it was the best vacation ever," Mrs. Woitas said.

If they took the same trip today, they'd find many more options available to accommodate Sandy than were even available three years ago.

More and more facilities are rolling out the welcome mats for Man's Best Friend as businesses recognize how important pets are to many families. For them, the thought of placing their dog in a kennel while they're off frolicking on vacation isn't an option.

And the options for four-legged guests are opening in all levels of accommodations -- be it romantic getaways, luxurious resorts or downtown hotels in large cities.

Len Kain, co-founder of DogFriendly.com. Inc., an online travel guide for dog owners, estimates that upward of 40,000 major hotels across the nation and in Canada are now pet-friendly. He said amenities may vary from dog biscuits to massages.

"There are hotels out there that allow dogs, and there are those that really want and promote dogs," said Mr. Kain from his office in Pollock Pines, Calif.

Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette Pam Woitas said, "My kids thought it was the best vacation ever" about a trip to Dollywood, Tenn., that included the family dog, Sandy. Click photo for larger image.

"The Loews chain really advertises and encourages you to bring your pets. They offer pet packages, which includes a pet bed, a jar of cookies and a bottle of water."

Mr. Kain said many hotels require a pet deposit or fee, and they may have restrictions on the size and weight of the dog.

He said some hotels may also have set aside an assigned number of rooms reserved for dogs. The rooms are sometimes smoking rooms, located closer to the exit doors, making it easier for owners to walk their dogs.

Mr. Kain surmises that part of the philosophy is to put everything together that causes allergies. "This is more common in the midwestern part of the country and less common on the left coast and East Coast. They group dogs in a section of the hotel like they group kids in a section of the hotel."

Some hotels restrict the number of dogs allowed in each room.

"The general policy is one, or two, or they just don't have a set policy and make it up as they go along," he said.

Mr. Kain said there's no correlation between the number of pets allowed into a hotel and the fee required.

"The hotels that allow more dogs are generally not the ones that require higher fees," he said. "The hotels that charge higher fees tend to be stickier about the rules. La Quinta Inns allows more than one dog, and they have no fees or deposits. Every hotel is different, so you have to call in advance and check the policy. The policies change all the time."

Helen Zeppenfeld Brown, national coordinator of American Lhasa Apso Club Rescue, a Bedford County-based organization, said the Holiday Inn hotel chain has been extremely responsive to accommodating vacationers with pets.

Mrs. Brown said the hotels routinely host dog shows and offer a variety of services.

"I have been to two shows, one with my own rescues and one without," she said. "I was more than pleased with how they went out of their way for all the dogs. They even had dog treats at the front desk for everyone to pick up daily. They did not even ask us for a pet deposit for the show.

In Bedford County, Mrs. Brown said the Quality Inn and Best Western hotels allow dogs, and Old Bedford Village is a dog-friendly site.

Amy Kerlin of Robinson and a friend recently took a mini-vacation to Deep Creek, Md., with their two German shepherds.

Before going, Ms. Kerlin said, she searched online for a traditional hotel, but was unable to find one that would accept her two dogs, weighing 50 and 70 pounds.

Ms. Kerlin was able to rent a house for a additional $50 pet fee. She said the house was in a private, wooded area, allowing her dogs to run around and play.

"When our plans include bringing the dogs on vacation, we are likely to again make it a dog-friendly vacation and rent a house or go camping," said Ms. Kerlin. "Most hotels have a size limit on the dogs."