Pawrenting: Vacationing with your pet
Woman walking dog. Grooming is also a time to bond with your pet, so make it as regular as you can.
What you need to know:
- Just make sure you do not book a room where there is a lot of activities or foot traffic.
- Most pets will get excited and respond noisily.
- Be sure you have a clear understanding of the charges before making your reservation.
The holidays may be over, but we have a few people who like travelling during off-peak season. Pet owners travelling with their pets most times need to find accommodation that allows animals. It is tricky finding a place that allows you to have your pet. Even as more and more locations are welcoming pets, the degree of service that you will receive differs. Some will give you exceptional, outstanding service to you and your pet while others will barely tolerate your pet. So have that in mind.
Before travelling, call the place to know if they still allow pets, even if you have been there before, as hotel policies change often.
Pet charges
Those that allow pets will mostly require that you stay on the ground floor to reduce the chances of meeting other hotel visitors, as well as ease of access for the pet. Some will also charge a pet fee. Others allow dogs up to a certain size with cats having no size restriction. Just make sure you do not book a room where there is a lot of activities or foot traffic. Most pets will get excited and respond noisily.
According to experts, be sure you have a clear understanding of the charges before making your reservation. Determine whether the pet fee is per night or for the entire stay. Find out whether the pet charge is per pet or is a fixed rate, regardless of the number of pets, and whether any portion of the fee is refundable if the room is not damaged during your stay.
Rules in the facility
Ask about the rules in the facility. Do you have to keep your pet on a leash? Can you leave the pet in the room to run errands? Do they offer pet walking or pet sitting services? Knowing such details prior helps in your stay.
An Airbnb is another option of accommodation and most specify whether they allow pets or not. However, some say they don’t allow pets but if you fall in love with a place, it is worth a call. Many will make exceptions especially if it is a small well-behaved pet and even now that it is low season.
Maryanne is a pet owner. [email protected]
