For many, the idea of living on the road represents freedom, adventure and a break from the ordinary—but for Sara Dungo it soon became much more.
In a viral TikTok post shared earlier this year, the 34-year-old creator (@saradungo) offered a glimpse into her daily van life with three pets: a calico cat named Chi Chi, a black cat named Chester, and a pup named Max, who she has adopted over the years after moving into her van full-time.
Her journey began back in 2019, when she made the decision to buy a van and convert it into a home, a process that took her over a year and and cost around $10,000.
Dungo told Newsweek that she made the decision to move her entire life into the van because she was exploring minimalism, and soon realized van life gave her the flexibility she needed to “simplify and slow down.”
“I was craving a deeper connection with nature and more freedom in how I live day-to-day. In the beginning, living out of the van was about movement, exploring new places frequently and chasing adventure,” she said.
Initially, she set out on the road by herself, but soon her family grew and so did the responsibility of ensuring her pets felt as comfortable in their unconventional home as she did.
“They’re wonderful companions. I made sure to ease them into van life gradually, with lots of short trips and routines that gave them consistency and comfort. I currently park where they can safely explore outdoors and return to our cozy little nest at night.”
Giving your pets a consistent routine is crucial to their mental and physical well-being, regardless of where they live. As creatures of habit, both cats and dogs feel more comfortable and confident knowing what to expect on a given day.
Dungo said that when training her pets for their van life, patience and consistency were key throughout the process.
“I trained them using positive reinforcement and ensured the van always felt like a safe, familiar space. The cats have been leash-trained since they were kittens. All three have adapted surprisingly well and seem to enjoy our little home on wheels.”
What is positive reinforcement?
Positive reinforcement is the most popular training method among animal owners, supported by most veterinarians and animal trainers because of its soft nature. It involves rewarding your pets’ desired behaviors, and ignoring the naughty ones.
A crucial aspect of this training method is the absence of punishment. That’s because both cats and dogs aren’t able to understand the concept of punishment, physical or verbal. Punishing your pet will not only achieve nothing, it will also damage your bond.
Getting her furry companions meant Dungo was no longer alone on her adventures, and still to this day she cherishes every single shared adventure and the excitement of seeing her fur-babies have the best time out in the nature.
“Fortunately, I haven’t had major issues with my pets running off. I keep a close eye on them when we’re outside and I don’t normally let them out in cities without being leashed.”
However, it also means she has had to make some adjustments to her life, especially when it comes to personal space.
“I’ve had to downsize my clothing closet even more to allow the cats their own personal space. Also needing to plan camp spots based on safety for the animals can be tough. I now try to avoid large cities and find more rural countryside communities.”
Now, six years into her van life, Dungo and her pets have found their own rhythm.
“I’ve become more of a slow traveler, choosing to settle into places for longer stretches and truly experience the rhythm of each season. It’s a more grounded and intentional way of living that suits both me and my pets,” she said.
“Living in a van with pets has taught me to live more presently. It’s not always easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. I hope my story shows others that alternative lifestyles are possible, even with furry family members by your side.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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