bonniebroad

rb_traveler, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you that there is no reason to "drag" a pet along. I KNOW that my elderly Cairn Terrier is far more comfortable, and is happier, riding on my lap in the car, and staying in hotels with us than he would be staying in a kennel or having two visits a day from a petsitter here at home. He becomes depressed to the point of not eating, not functioning, if we leave him for any amount of time. That may sound crazy to those who haven't experienced it with an animal.......... but he's given us his all for almost 15 years. It's a small comfort to give back to him now when he needs us the most.

Blacktie

Why, Scarlett, my large snake, naturally ... now, you stop that blushing, right now, you asked!

Ryan

Bonnie,
I'm sure you're right about a certain set of rooms for people with dogs. But, as indicated by seetheworld, I doubt the hotels leave those rooms vacant or even say to guests getting those rooms "BTW, you're in our dog wing."

bonniebroad

From people I know who have pet allergies, they "know" right away if there's been an animal in the room... their eyes itch & run, they start to wheeze a little. At that point, if they get out of the room immediately, they are fine. If they stay amidst the dander, the symptoms get worse. So I think a person has to protect himself and get out of the room........... if a hotel lies or someone has sneaked an animal into that room, unbeknownst!

But it's my understanding that the better hotels are very strict about this, and will only put the regular public into a room that's had a pet in it after the room has been put through a special cleansing process that's supposed to rid it of all allergens.

If you know you have a life-threatening allergy to pet dander, then I think you must be very sure of where you're staying and what their policies are. The majority of people do not have allergies, and they are the ones who are catered to. More and more people want their pets traveling with them; that's why you see so many of the hotels changing their policies now. I personally wish I could leave my doggie at home......... because you are hampered, in some ways, when traveling with one, but I love him dearly, and have to consider his age and comfort, as well as what I want.

bonniebroad

Ryan, if you are severely allergic, surely you will ask the hotel about the possibility that pets have been in your room. In that case, I don't believe a good hotel would lie; they have too much too lose........

seetheworld

So it's about one's rights?

Let me put it to you this way then...
Do you have the right to bring your animal to a hospital that's aim is to care for humans, NO... bring them to the ANIMAL Hospital...
Hotels are for PEOPLE....kennels are for ANIMALS. If I am paying money to stay in a hotel, I expect that its occupants are people, not pets. There, I said it, plain and simple!!!!

illusion321

If you dont like see dogs in public then you petter stay out of france. There are ODGS everywhere, and they are mostly allowed to go everywhere their owners go, restruants hotels, shopes ect. I love dogs and wish america would be more like france on this issue. As for the poster who siad something about pit bulls, they Like anyother dog, only become mean if they are treated wrong are taught to be mean. I Currently have 2 ferrets and one dog, when I go to the beach (my yearly vacation) I always take them with me. I usually stay in a apartment (they dont allow pets) that dosent have maid service or workers comming in hte room, so as long as i clean up after them then there is no problem, they spend most of their time in their cage, and i confine them to one room when i do let them out to play.

bonniebroad

But hotels are NOT just for people; otherwise, the hotels would not be encouraging people to bring them! You would like them to be, but they're not. Otherwise, hotels would not be advertising as pet-friendly, and adding all kinds of frills for the dear creatures. It's real life....... huge numbers of people consider their pets their children, and don't want to leave them home. These people have money... money talks! Plain and simple...

tcreath

Not all (or even most) hotels allow pets. If you have severe allergies, find a hotel that doesn't allow pets. Simple as that. Most hotels list that kind of information on their websites; if not, call and ask. For hotels that do allow pets, most have the "pet" wing and most pet-friendly hotels that I have stayed in hang a little "dog in room" sign on the door of a room that has a pet inside. The owners should have control of their pets at all times. If the dog barks continually or jumps and bites, the hotel usually reserves the right to ask the customer to leave.

Some people enjoy traveling with their pets. While I haven't traveled with our dog yet, we are planning on taking him with us to Colorado next year. He is very well-behaved and laid-back. If he wasn't, I probably wouldn't even consider taking him. I do know that he (and most pets) would rather be with us on vacation, staying in strange places, than be stuck in a small kennel somewhere for a week. We found a book that lists dog-friendly hotels and we will book our rooms accordingly.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

Of COURSE hotels are for people, or some municipalities wouldn't be banning pets. It's just that some hotels will "invite" pets too, in order to "kiss up" to potential guests.

Bonniebroad, I'm going to respectfully say that I think you're projecting your own emotions to your dog. But since they can't speak, we don't really know, do we? As far as allergies -- once in a room for awhile, and the itching and sneezing begins, changing rooms is only going to keep the problems from excalating, but the "damage" has already been done. Having worked in several hotels (and recenly just started moonlighting again at a Quality Inn, which does NOT allow pets), few hotels are going to be "up front" about it being a "pet room", unless specifically asked, and I'd guess that at least 40% would lie about that.

Yes, the French are big on their pets, but this is the US forum. Maybe some company could start a chain of "pet friendly hotels ... or kennels that are "owner friendly" -- taking in people too.

MikeT

The problem is that everyone is convinced their pet is the perfect traveler and companion, just like the believe their screaming child is the best behaved child on earth. So people bring along Parrots because they are too fixated on the pet to leave it alone for a few days.

We've turned into a society where pets and children are everywhere, including the workplace. Slobbering dogs are in Starbucks, as well as sticky-fingered three year olds. There really isn't any place one can go to avoid them anymore. People drag their German Shepard and two-kid strollers into small antique stores and then seem surprised when something gets knocked over.

bonniebroad

rb_traveler, I am not projecting my own emotions onto my dog. When a dog refuses to eat, will not move unless you move him, cannot control his bodily functions because he is so upset...... that's a depressed dog, and nothing to do with my emotions.

I have a sister and a good friend with severe dog allergies, and if they leave an area as soon as they feel the first effects of the dander, they are fine....... no harm done!

Again, I do not believe a good hotel will lie about these things. They have too much to lose. It would make no sense........ now when you get into budget hotels, yes, I think they might lie. But if I had a life-threatening allergy, I would be very careful where I stayed, and willing to pay a little more to be sure of my situation.

Most importantly, as the poster above said, MOST hotels don't allow dogs or any other pets - those would be PEOPLE ONLY hotels. A person with allergies should go to one of them..........

Grasshopper

Currently have 2 ferrets and one dog, when I go to the beach (my yearly vacation) I always take them with me. I usually stay in a apartment (they dont allow pets) that dosent have maid service or workers comming in hte room, so as long as i clean up after them then there is no problem, they spend most of their time in their cage, and i confine them to one room when i do let them out to play.

You've got to be kidding! And the property owner has no rights? As an owner of a vacation home this is exactly why I don't rent it out. Your decision to violate the owner's requirements in absolutely unacceptable! And how do we know if your idea of "clean up after them" is adequate?

seetheworld

"I have a sister and a good friend with severe dog allergies, and if they leave an area as soon as they feel the first effects of the dander, they are fine....... no harm done!"

Generalizations don't hold water in my book.

Ryan

I'm not severly allergic or even mildly allergic. I just don't like the thought that I'm sleeping in a bed that some slobbering dog used for a nap the prior day. Not to mention the fact that dogs get fleas, even sometimes when the owners are cautious not to have that happen.

As stated, hotels are for people, kennels are for dogs.

tcreath

Then find a hotel that does not accept pets. There are plenty.

Blacktie

If you take Willard to a hotel, be aware Purdue U says rats fed artificial sweeteners consume three times the calories of our scampering friends on plain sugar, explaining much of the obesity dilemma in this country. Sugar-free foods are bad news!

GoTravel

what a silly debate.

If a hotel doesn't allow pets and you like to travel with fluffy or fido, find one that does allow pets.

If you get a hotel room where someone has snuck fluffy or fido in the room and you are allergic, call management and get them to switch your room.

illusion321

I would LOVE to see more hotel and restruants that dont allow children!

atilla

I totally agree GoTravel, what a silly debate! Every single one of us has a choice here, go to a hotel that accepts pets OR stay in one that does not accept pets. If all hotels got together and banned pets or all hotels accepted pets, then there would be something to argue about, but that is not the case here.