How to Turn Your Hotel Pet-Friendly? [A Dog & Her Hooman Explain]

Hello all!

I am Maya (that’s what my hoomans call me. So, I am assuming it’s my name) and I am a Sheprador.

It’s been a little more than 5 months that these hoomans brought me home. I won’t lie, things were going pretty well initially. I would sleep, play, eat, bark and repeat.

But I have grown up now and I want to run around outside, dig holes, and sniff random objects. Unfortunately, these hoomans are super busy; especially the one who lives with me.

So, I decided to let them know that I need to step out and explore. And finally, after days of barking, scratching and a few whacks, they came to their senses.

Now my hooman takes me out on weekends (at least) to different places — we go on drives, trek, and do a lot more fun stuff.

But the other day, my hooman was a little annoyed.

“Woof woof!” .

I asked

“What happened Maya? Stop biting my hand, I am already annoyed. Do you know how much I was planning for this weekend? And no hotels allow pets. I think I will have to leave you home this time.”

he replied

“Woof woof woof! (Noo..don’t do that. I don’t want to spend my weekend with that terrifying man and clueless lady) woof woof woof.”

I said

“No, I can’t take you with me. I will see you on Monday, Maya.”

he said and left

Why can’t these hotels welcome me? I am just a harmless puppy! 

Not sure how hotels work but I too deserve a good stay at a nice place. I will ask my hooman to talk about it. 

Hey folks, don’t mind! Maya is just a little annoyed. And you know why.  

So, today I am going to cover this topic. If you have not embraced the idea of welcoming pets yet, then this blog is for you. It will help you turn your hotel into a lucrative pet-friendly property.

Are we good to go, Maya?

Woof woof!!

Why Should Hoteliers Bet on Pet Hospitality?

“Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.”

James Cromwell

Maya has said what she feels. And I think she’s correct; pets do deserve all the privileges we get.

But I am a human and I have a different approach to explain. So, I won’t give you any emotional or empathetic opinion.

Rather, let’s talk business.  Let me tell you how beneficial it is to become a pet friendly hotel.

“Woof woof (Do you think this will work?).”

asked Maya

“Yes, Maya! It will.”

I said and winked.

Did you know that the global pet care market is expected to reach $202.6 billion by 2025? Yes, you heard it right.

People love their pets and they spend billions on them every year. Not to mention, there is a rise in the adoption of pets and demand for premium care products and experiences.

Now, when it comes to travel, the number of pet travellers have increased lately. Because people (especially millennials and Gen Z) prefer to take their pets along. And they look for pet-friendly hotels to stay.

But if you still think that it doesn’t make any difference, then let me share some more insights.

Pricing

When you start welcoming pets to your hotel, you get the opportunity to charge a pet fee to guests. It is one of the major aspects of how pet-friendly hotels work.

Further, you can also price your rooms a little higher depending on the services you offer.

And I am sure, this is an intriguing factor.

Brand Image

Apart from the monetary benefit, you get the opportunity to set up a solid brand image. And as a result, you inspire guest loyalty.

I always book with hotels that deliver a great experience. And it is the same when I travel with my Maya (even if I have to pay an extra amount for that).

That’s not all.

Pet owners also engage highly with pet communities. And they tend to share their experience with the community. Meaning, your chances of getting referrals increase.

Pet hospitality is a lucrative segment of the industry. Not many hotels have incorporated this idea. And being a blogger from this domain and a pet parent, I bet that the early adopters are going to bring home the bacon.

“Woof woof!! You’re going good hooman.”

cheered Maya

9 Tips on How to Become a Pet-Friendly Hotel

If you think you’re game to bet on this segment, then let me help you with that too. In this section, I have listed some of the legitimate tips on how to make a hotel pet-friendly.

#1 Decide on the type of pet

People keep different types of animals as a pet. But you cannot allow every animal on your premises.

So, you must decide the type and size of animals that are welcomed on your property. The most common pets are cats and dogs and it is completely fine if you want to stick to these two.

You can set protocols such as ‘only two pets per room or per guest with defined weight and height limit’.

This will not only help you manage your guests and their pets better but also keep you away from any sort of miscommunication.

#2 Set proper rules and regulations for pet owners

Let me share my experience.

Last month, I was at my friend’s place with Maya. And guess what, there was a potty accident. I could see my friend’s face.

Maya: “Hooman, I couldn’t control my bowel. I was barking, but you didn’t take me out. It’s not my fault.”

Me: Okay fine, Maya! I am just giving an example.

I am sure, just like my friend, the hotel staff would feel the same if such accidents happen. So, when you run a pet-friendly hotel, it is imperative to have strict rules and regulations for all pet owners.

Let the pet owners know they have to clean the room after their pet is done with their business.

I have listed some of the must-have pet policies for hotels at the end of this blog. You can refer to that.

#3 Build a play area for the pets

Do you have some extra space at your property? If so, then turn that into a play area for the pets.

Pets (especially dogs) need mental stimulation at least once a day to keep their minds sharp, focused, and calm.

And if you don’t have any such space, let your guests take their pets for walks in the locality. 

However, let them know that they must leash their pet and use a potty picker and a disposable bag to keep the neighborhood clean.

#4 Offer pet treats as a gift for booking

The first impression matters. And when you run a pet-friendly hotel, you have to set that first impression right.

One of the best ways to do so is by offering complimentary treats on direct bookings.

Personally speaking, this works. People love it when their pets are treated nicely. Hands down!

I also have another idea.

How about collaborating with some pet food companies and using their treats? They get marketing opportunities for their products and you get free treats. It’s a win-win.

#5 Hire an animal behaviourist or trainer for certain situations

Have you ever heard about zoomies? No?

Let me explain.

Zoomies (which is also known as midnight crazies) are random bursts of energy occurring in dogs and cats. Every time a cat or dog gets zoomies, they run around frenetically. It is nothing to be scared of, but there are times when pet owners fail to control them and it might disturb other guests.

So, it is advisable to hire an animal behaviourist or trainer to handle such situations.

That’s not all. Many animals don’t get along with other animals around them. And to maintain a peaceful time in the play area, you need a trainer.

#6 Decide on proper pricing

This is a little tricky. But with proper analysis and management, you can pull this off successfully.

Like I have said in the beginning, you can always charge a pet fee to your guests and increase your room prices based on the services and amenities you offer. 

However, you have to make sure that your pet-friendly room pricing and regular room pricing are not interfering with each other.

If you feel it’s overwhelming, then I would suggest you seek help from revenue management professionals.

#7 Offer room services for pets’ requirements 

Pet-friendly services play a major role in making a hotel successful pet hospitality.

If you can offer room services to your guests, then you must do it for their pets also. As simple as that. 

For example: If you welcome dogs to your property, you can curate a “canine menu” and add certain dishes specially for dogs. People would definitely pick up the intercom and place an order.

Treat the animals like they are going to write a review about your hotel. 

#8 Set up a pet shop as a POS outlet

There are different types of POS outlets in hotels (gift shops, spas etc.). But today, I would like to tell you about another lucrative POS outlet — a pet shop.

If you’re a pet-friendly hotel, a pet shop is a gem. People love to buy essentials for their pets and when they get them inside the hotel premises, it makes them feel more welcome.

Not to mention, it is also a great way to up your hotel’s bottom line.

#ProTip: If you don’t want to start a pet shop, set up a pet daycare centre. There are times when guests want to go out but they want to leave their pets in the room. Instead of that, you can always ask your guests to leave their pets at the daycare centre and charge a fee for that.

#9 Let other guests know that pets are around

While you have learnt how to make your hotel pet-friendly, I would like to add another IMPORTANT point.

Let all your other guests know that you’ve animals on the premises. And there are multiple ways to do that. You can mention it on your website, in the booking confirmation emails you send, at your premise entrances, place information pamphlets in rooms etc.

Here are some booking confirmation email templates you can use:

That’s not all, you also have to be clear that even though you’re a pet-friendly hotel, you don’t compromise with the quality of experience you deliver to other guests.

Simply put, both of your hospitality segments must go hand in hand.

General Rules a Pet-Friendly Hotel Must Have

Above, I mentioned all the important points on how to make your hospitality business pet-friendly. But there’s more to it.

For a smoother functioning of a pet-friendly hotel, you must have robust rules and regulations in place. Here are some of the pet policies you might want to consider:

• Guests must pay a pet charge during check-in.
• Pets must be vaccinated and the vaccination card must be presented at the time of check-in.
• Number of pets per room or per guest.
• Pets are not allowed in the no-go areas.
• Pet owners must clean the room/toilet after their pet is done with their business.
• Guests cannot leave their pets unattended in rooms.
• Pets must be leashed inside the hotel premises.
• They must be muzzled if they tend to charge on other animals.
• Pets that are not comfortable around other animals are not allowed in the play area.
• Pet owners are responsible for any damage to any of the hotel’s property by their pet.
• Guests must use the elevator and stairs that are allotted for guests with pets.