| Pet owners often question how pet-friendly a hotel | | | | one-time non-refundable cleaning fee.�They |
| can be if they charge a high and/or non-refundable pet | | | | perform additional cleaning and disinfecting of the |
| deposit.�They also wonder why they are being | | | | furniture and decorative items and shampoo the |
| charged when, as far as they can tell, their pet isn't | | | | carpets when necessary.�Another charges $35 |
| dirty.��Are these hotels just taking our money | | | | night and allows pets of all sizes.�They too perform |
| and laughing all the way to the bank?�Or, is there | | | | a deep cleaning that goes above and beyond that of |
| more to this scenario we aren't aware of?�Maybe | | | | a non-pet room. |
| our pets aren't as "clean" as we think they | | | | In many cases, more expensive hotels have more |
| are.�Let's find out once and for all. | | | | expensive pet deposits/fees than cheaper hotels - |
| The first myth to put to rest is just because your pet | | | | after all, they are more expensive for a |
| has been washed and groomed it doesn't leave behind | | | | reason.�Higher priced hotels often cater to pets in |
| any extra mess.�While some people do take better | | | | way their cheaper counterparts do not.�The treats |
| care of their animals than others, it must be noted that | | | | and extra services they provide to pets require extra |
| even though we like to think our pets are clean, they | | | | staff, supplies, and time. |
| leave behind dander, hair, and saliva.�This is not a | | | | Doing a search for pet-friendly hotels in advance of a |
| bad thing - it's completely normal and unavoidable. | | | | trip can be beneficial because it is likely you may find |
| Humans that are allergic to animals are allergic to the | | | | one to accommodate your needs.�Chances are, if |
| dander and saliva that animals leave behind and can | | | | you stay at a hotel with a high, non-refundable pet |
| attest that extra cleaning must be done to remove pet | | | | deposit/fee, it is going to use deeper cleaning methods |
| dander, hair, and saliva.�Their allergies will act up if a | | | | than a hotel without a pet deposit/fee.�It all comes |
| room is not properly cleaned.�More advanced | | | | down to your personal preference and whether you |
| methods are required to thoroughly clean a room | | | | want to stay in a room that has been thoroughly |
| where a pet has stayed.�Even if you are not | | | | cleaned or if you would rather save some money and |
| allergic, do you really want to stay in a room that hasn't | | | | have a room that may not have had any cleaning |
| been adequately cleaned after the last pet stayed in | | | | beyond that of a regular, non-pet room. |
| it? | | | | Also, when trying to decide whether to take your pet |
| So, now that we know that animals leave things | | | | on business trip or vacation, some important aspects |
| behind regardless of how well their owner takes care | | | | to consider are how long you will be gone, if there is |
| of them, the next topic to address is the issue of pet | | | | someone that can take care of your pet, and how |
| deposits or fees.�It can be discouraging to have to | | | | upset you and your pet will be if you leave your pet at |
| pay a pet deposit that is sometimes high and/or | | | | home.�Sometimes it can cost just as much to |
| non-refundable in addition to the cost of a hotel room. | | | | board your pet at a kennel, so you really could be |
| I spoke with lower priced hotels ($100 or less a night | | | | better off taking your pet with you.�And, if you are |
| for a standard room) and higher priced hotels ($100 or | | | | going on a trip that is longer than a couple of days, it |
| more a night for a standard room).�I questioned | | | | may give you, your family, and your pet more peace |
| them about their pet policy and cleaning practices and | | | | of mind to take them with you.�After all, how nice |
| determined the following: | | | | would it be to have Fido run on the beach with you |
| Of the lower priced hotels, one charged between | | | | every night? |
| $25-150 non-refundable fee based on the size of the | | | | If you still aren't convinced the money you pay for a |
| pet and the likelihood it may cause damage (ranging | | | | pet deposit/fee is reasonable, feel free to inquire about |
| from lingering pet smells, hard to remove hair and | | | | their policy and find out what type of cleaning they |
| dander, damaged furniture, etc.).�The only additional | | | | do.�In most cases, the hotelier has valid use of the |
| cleaning they perform is a flea bomb but note they do | | | | funds they collect and it may seem like a |
| not claim the fee is for cleaning. �Another charges | | | | bargain.�Keep in mind what seems like a high |
| a one-time non-refundable pet fee of $150 and does a | | | | upfront fee, may actually turn out to be cheaper than |
| very thorough cleaning after an animal has stayed in | | | | a nightly fee depending on the length of your |
| the room.�In addition to their normal routine, the deep | | | | stay.�There are always exceptions and even some |
| clean consists of shampooing the carpets and cleaning | | | | hotels that don't charge a deposit/fee at |
| fixtures and decorations as well as having a local | | | | all.�Another good idea is to visit their website and |
| vendor spray chemicals to kill any fleas that may be | | | | read comments left about the hotel's pet |
| left behind. | | | | rooms.�How better to find out about their rooms |
| Of the higher priced hotels, one charges a $25 | | | | than from previous customers? |