With summer officially here, one trend is for certain: More hotels than ever will be granting pets the same service, respect and in many cases, amenities, that human guests receive.
Several chains pride themselves on their pet-friendly policies and offerings, although not all policies are created equal.
If you haven’t created a pet-friendly policy or program, I have compiled some questions below to kick start that discussion. Also, I can’t stress enough the benefit of partnering with a supplier that has done their due diligence reviewing any pet-friendly products you provide to your pet guests – safety concerns are first and foremost.
Product giveaways typically occur at check-in via the front desk. Swag bags may include:
- A list of local sitters
- Dog-walking services and parks
- A nametag
- Waste bags
- Organic treats and tennis ball
- In-room necessities stocked by housekeeping may include:
- Additional waste bags
- Non-slip dog bowls and placemats to protect the carpeting
- A variety of washable dog beds
- Anxiety toys
- Leashes
- Door hanger to alert staff about a pet in the room
- Pet-specific cleaning solutions
Following are a few topics to begin a pet-friendly meeting along with a useful chart for subsequent meetings. Due to the enormous interest from properties going pet-friendly, the more homework you conduct upfront, the better your success will be. Remember, a happy pet-owner guest will return, with or without the pet!
Questions to ask regarding a pet-friendly policy
- What fees and security deposits will be imposed on guests checking in with a pet?
- Will up-to-date vaccination certificates be required?
- Will restrictions relating to the number of pets, including breed and weight, be imposed?
- Will rules on pets be created and imposed? Will the guest be required to sign it upon check-in?
- How will the hotel handle disruptive dog barking?