If you are like us, you can’t bare to think about leaving your best bud behind while going on holiday. Then, you probably have had the headache of finding pet-friendly accommodations. So, we thought we would give you our most valued tips to find pet-friendly accommodations !
🔸Official Pet-Friendly Accommodations
1: Search for pet-friendly accommodations
When looking for pet-friendly accommodations, it’s best to start by researching online. Many travel websites & booking platforms allow you to filter your search results to show only pet-friendly options. You can also check with the accommodation directly to confirm their pet policy & any associated fees. Additionally, it’s a good idea to read reviews from other pet owners who have stayed at the property to get a sense of their experience & any potential issues to be aware of.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for both you and your furry friend.
Some of the best resources are:
2: Check to ensure their pet-friendly policy extends to your best bud
You would be surprised how so-called “pet-friendly accommodations” are not actually accepting anything other than dogs. Yet, many of us travel with cats, birds, and other animals.
3: Ensure you ask if the pets are welcome inside the property.
Again, you will be surprised how many accommodations like to stick the « pet-friendly » sticker on their website, but don’t allow pets inside the property. And well, not every pet owner is willing to leave their pet to sleep outdoors.
4: Ensure there is no extra cost due to bringing your pet.
Some accommodations will charge you extra, & no one like surprises on the spot, so make sure you check beforehand.
5: Pay it forward
If you want pet-friendly accommodation to be available in the future, be a good representative for all pet owners.
So, leave the accommodation undamaged, not out of the ordinary dirty, ensure your pet is not disturbing other guests, and so on.
🔸Unofficially Pet-Friendly Accommodations
By this, I mean if you can’t find a pet-friendly accommodation that pleases you and so decide to try convincing others to welcome you and your pet (most likely through Airbnb).
1: Contact the owner to let them know that you are really interested in their property & why you would prefer their property to another one.
2: Inform the owner that you have noticed the property is not pet-friendly but that you were wondering if, by any changes, they would be willing to welcome you and your pet. If the owners agree to welcome your pet, ask if there would be any extra cost.
3: Provide as much information as possible about your pet to help the owner decide favorably to your request.
- Include a truthful description of your pet, how often they have traveled, their personality, etc.
- Add your pet’s bio to your (Airbnb) profile.
- Inform the owner about where to find « reviews » from previous owners who have welcomed you and your pet.
- Reassure the owner by reinforcing the fact that they wouldn’t need to provide anything extra to facilitate your pet stay
- Provide the owners with your pet’s social media (if you have some).
4: Once in the property, keep the owners reassured by informing them that you have, in fact, checked in, that everything is going well, and that your pet is adapting well to the property (a « once again thank you » is also a good idea). Make sure that your pet is behaving like they should and is not disturbing anyone.
5: When leaving, ensure that you hand over a property in excellent condition, better than usual (we usually start a load of washing, towel, sheets, and so on for the owners as this takes a long time to do, it probably saves the owner an hour or so). The reason is simple, if you and your pet had a great stayed and that by having had you over, the owner had gained monetary value but no extra workload. Then the owner is most likely to rethink their pet-friendly policy and might officially become a pet-friendly accommodation in the future.
Please remember:
As a pet owner, taking responsibility for your furry friend’s behavior is essential when staying at pet-friendly accommodations.
One way to ensure that your pet behaves appropriately is to keep them on a leash or in a carrier when in common areas.
Additionally, be sure to clean up after your pet and dispose of waste properly. It’s also helpful to bring your pet’s favorite toys or bedding to help them feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.
Overall, being a considerate and responsible pet owner is critical to ensuring a positive experience for both you and other guests at pet-friendly accommodations.
