Vacation rental property owners must try to accommodate the wants and needs of potential guests by offering amenities that appeal to the traveling public. One of the most popular amenities that owners should consider is to be a "pet-friendly" vacation rental.
A recent study showed that almost 60% of adult pet owners plan to take their four-legged family members on vacation sometime in the next 12 months. In order to grab a part of this demographic, it's not enough just to say that you accept pets. Your property must be suitable for animals and equipped with things like a fenced yard, dog beds, food and water bowls, furniture covers, and information on local pet-friendly activities and attractions. Advise your guests to have their animals rabies shots up to date and have collar tags or a chip implant in case their pets get loose. Ask the local vet for more information on caring for pet visitors. The more you do to accommodate pets, the more your guests will appreciate your effort and be willing to pay your extra fees and deposits.
If the property is truly "pet-friendly" and has "pet amenities", guests will gladly pay for the service. I've heard of fees from as little as $10.00 per pet, per night, on up to a $300.00 security deposit plus a $75.00 damage waiver. What you charge should be dictated by how well the property and surrounding area accommodates the pet(s). If you decide to accept pets be sure to spell out your pet charges, security deposit requirements, and conditions in your property description and rental contract. Create a pet addendum on a separate sheet of paper and send it out with your confirmation.
I've only traveled with a pet once, when I had to evacuate from a forest fire with my 12-year-old golden retriever. We ended up at a vacation rental in Palm Springs and the pet fees were over $100.00 for three nights. Fortunately, the property had a huge fenced yard and a few dog toys and even some low-grade dog food. I was dreading the experience on the drive down, but the property was perfect for my big goofy golden and I gladly paid those extra fees.
Many owners make the mistake of thinking that accepting pets at their vacation rental will open themselves up to more cleaning and damage. If your property is suitable for pets consider making a few pet-friendly improvements and start taking advantage of this huge segment of the travel industry.