pet fees

[Moirae]

lol. I always say "just because you didn't notify us doesn't mean you won't be charged". It's amazing what people think they can get away with. If we find out there are more guests than we were told of on checkin, or that there are animals, we will charge. It's all on the registration card signed on check in.

[Sarlon]

mom and I were traveling to Maine Many years ago, which normally would of been a long 12 hour drive (start at the butt-crack of dawn, arrive in time for dinner). We were traveling with a medium sized dog who was quiet as can be....

we didn't plan on staying overnight in a hotel until we got stuck in traffic for 4 HOURS and time we got off the poor pup (well she was 5 or 6 at the time) was just about to burst from needing to pee, and we were both tired (i wasn't old enough to drive). So we pulled off the interstate, found the closest thing to a hotel we could find and I walked the dog while mom went in and asked if a room was available for the night and that we had a dog with us.

it was a little mom and pop place and they let us have the room for the night with our pup, mom pulled the comforter off the bed, and tossed it on the luggage rack thingy (little taller then a foot stool), and thought the dog would sleep up on the bed with us since that was what she normally would do. We are awakened in the middle of the night by a bunch of bikers roaring into the parking lot at o dark 30.....dog wakes up and growls the low growl she adopted to let us know someone was near the house but not a direct threat...yet (she was a pit bull boxer mix). Mom looked at the clock, 2am, and decided it was a good time to get going before the traffic started up again, grumbling from me (hey I was a teenager we like sleep), and got out the door within 20 minutes. Dog didn't do much more then wag her tail at someone who was outside getting something in or out of the car.

[Moirae]

Sarlon, originally we didn't have a weight limit at that hotel for dogs, or breed restrictions. Then a girl came in with a boxer and a pit bull (which she claimed was another boxer. I'm not stupid. It was a pit bull). Later she took them outside for a walk. When she came in, they dragged her down the hall on her knees. If they are strong enough to drag someone down the hall on their knees, they should not be staying in a hotel. If they lost their minds for some reason (especially the pit bull), a staff member or guest could have been dead.

That changed the rules. After that, we wouldn't accept any animals over 25 lbs and no more than two per room. We also set breed restrictions (no pit bulls, rottweilers, or any other known aggressive breed).

You got lucky with your dog, but alot of people have said their dog "has never attacked anyone and is the sweetest thing ever" and then it eats their other pets or attacks a child or adult. As a business, we couldn't take that chance.

Now, that being said, I live in the south where hurricanes are far too common for my liking. We've had to run several times and I will NEVER leave my cat behind, even if I have to sleep in the car. We were lucky and found a place that accepted her staying with us. But a cat is not a dog and is far less likely to do serious damage to someone if they lose control.

[draggar]

I hate pet fees, I really do but I also completely and understand why they are there.

I bring my dog everywhere and pay pet fees in hotels / motels - and even though I don't like it I don't mind.

Honestly, though, it is almost NEVER when they can tell I had my dog in the room (unless they see it) - she's quiet, clean, and not destructive.

But- I always tip extra when she is with me, too. I know the cleaning crew will have to do extra work because of my girl (honestly, I'd have less of a problem with them if I knew most of the pet fee went to the cleaning person (and not just in the form of extra time working).

[Sarlon]

whats the policy on service dogs that look like a small mountain?

I know a friend who has a large stout working dog that helps her keep her balance as something to lean against incase of balance problems. we're talking 200+ pound dog maybe.

[bhskittykatt]

whats the policy on service dogs that look like a small mountain?

I know a friend who has a large stout working dog that helps her keep her balance as something to lean against incase of balance problems. we're talking 200+ pound dog maybe.

If it's a service animal, then ADA regulations should override hotel policy and it should be allowed.

At my hotel, our "official" policy is up to 2 50lb dogs....I've had guests ask if their single 100lb one could stay because "it's like two 50lb ones put together!" We're pretty flexible on our policy, especially if you ask nice.

Your friend's dog reminds me of my friend's dog. He was not just a Great Dane, he was the Andre the Giant of Great Danes! He was not a service animal, but she'd bring him to the bar (he would have to wait outside) and then she'd wrap her arms around him and have him drag her home when she wasn't able to walk straight.

[Mr Hero]

You guys are quite generous with your pet fees. Ours are $20 per night with no upper limit.

[figgyx]

Hotels cannot (by law) refuse a service dog - and cannot charge for the dog.

[Moirae]

Hotels cannot (by law) refuse a service dog - and cannot charge for the dog.

True. But they may ask the person to prove that it is a service dog. I've seen alot of people claim its a service dog and it isn't, they just didn't want to be told no or charged.

[Deevil]

True. But they may ask the person to prove that it is a service dog. I've seen alot of people claim its a service dog and it isn't, they just didn't want to be told no or charged.

And how would somebody with an invisible disability prove it-- would the person with a seizure alert dog that warns of an episode about to occur, need to be on the verge of a grand mal to get a room?

One can ask if the dog in question is a service animal, and ASK what task it performs....and of course kick the person out make the dog leave if it is out of control, but you would need to give the person the option of continuing to shop/eat/stay without the service animal present and would need to assist the customer with tasks he/she cannot do due to the disability.

But, there is no way to prove a dog is a service animal. As the ADA is written, there is no required registration, or certification. Service animals are not required to wear any vests or other paraphernalia indicating they are a service animal. (And I'm sure the mods would prefer debate on whether the laws on requirements should be changed to go over to fratching)

[Aragarthiel]

And how would somebody with an invisible disability prove it-- would the person with a seizure alert dog that warns of an episode about to occur, need to be on the verge of a grand mal to get a room?

The response to that question would give it away. If the person gets flustered or tries "I left the papers at home," they're lying.

[RootedPhoenix]

I wouldn't be. Getting flustered with questions is exactly the sort of thing that happens with one of my invisible disabilities.

Please don't assume.

[telecom_goddess]

Most pets really don't like travel. The new situations and places make them anxious, and that's why they bite, mark, pee, poo, and gnaw on furniture. They are happier at home.

On that note my gf and her household are travelling with their dog to move across the country. She's going to HATE the fact that she won't see "home" again.