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Pet
Friendly Lodging
There are thousands
of hotels, motels, and inns across the United States that accept
guests with pets.
Many
hotels, restaurants, and individuals will give your pet special
consideration during your travels. It is important for you to
do your part to ensure that dogs and cats will continue to be
welcomed as traveling companions.
To
help you do your part and make your stay at these locations as
stress free as possible, we have provided a few suggestions and
tips for your consideration
Most
hotels set their own policies regarding pets and management
can change them any time. It is important to call the hotel
directly, not a central reservation number.
Most
locations have restrictions on the number, size, type and possibly
the weight of pets allowed.
Many
have nonrefundable deposits and additional nightly fees. These
can vary greatly, so make sure you ask!
Ask
about the types of rooms available, some limit pets to smoking
floors and specific sections of the hotel.
Check with the
hotel if they are using any insecticides which may be poisonous
to you pet.
If
you intend to leave you pet alone in the room, make sure to
ask if this is permitted and if the animal must be in a carrier
or crate.
Pet
friendly lodging can be found in a number of publications and
some great sites on the Internet dedicated to pet lodging. Some
of the sites will actually make your reservations for you, but
we still suggest contacting the hotel directly for the latest
information. We have searched the internet for the best sites
for travel and hotel information and recommend the following sites.
www.petsonthego.com
A great site "offering everything from a comprehensive
database of pet-friendly accommodations and expert advice
on the best places to stay to articles on noteworthy, pet-oriented
destinations and recreational retreats."
www.petswelcome.com
A site dedicated to traveling pets with with "over
25,000 hotels, B&Bs, ski resorts, campgrounds, and beaches
that are pet-friendly".
www.takeyourpet.com Lists "over
20,000 pet friendly bed and breakfasts, inns, hotels, motels
and resorts with free pet travel guides and newsletter."
www.traveldog.com
Provides a "listings of pet-friendly accommodations, doggie
daycares,
parks and beaches, products, and travel tips -- all designed
to allow you to travel with your dogs."
When
you arrive at the hotel, let the desk know that you have a pet
with you so they can inform Housekeeping.
Find
out if there are any public areas to walk you pet, or if there
are any restrictions.
If
possible walk your animal in a public area, not on the hotel
grounds and always clean up after him.
Don't
take you pet to meals or to common areas such as swimming pools,
tennis courts, lounges, etc. US hotels are prohibited by health
regulations to allow pets in areas where food is prepared or
served.
If
your pet damages something, inform the hotel management and
pay for any repairs!
Never leave
you pet alone in the room unless allowed by the Hotel Management.
If allowed and
you have to go out, inform the Front Desk and Housekeeping.
Turn on the
radio or television and crate him if possible, just in case
housekeeping enters your room. If possible put a "dog in
room" tag on the door.
When returning
to the room, wipe off muddy or dirty paws before entering. If
he is really dirty, clean him up in the tub and dry him with
towels brought from home.
If you allow
your pet on any furniture or beds, make sure you completely
cover them with sheets and bedding from home.
Put your pet's
food and water on a mat in the bathroom or feed them outside.
Litter boxes should go in the bathroom with newspapers underneath
them for easy cleanup.
Clean up when
you are ready to leave and use a carpet deodorizer or cleaner
(if needed).
Thank the management
for letting your pet stay with you -- Just good manners, and
who knows, maybe it will encourage them to continue being pet
friendly!
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