Short-Term Housing: Finding Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Sometimes it's just not possible to find an appropriate long-term, pet-friendly apartment or
home before you move. So what do you do in the meantime? If you can't leave the pet with
a friend or family member, and you don't want to board him, then one solution is to make
use of short-term pet-friendly accommodation.
Short-term housing can include vacation or holiday rentals
such as pet-friendly hotels, motels, resorts, cottages, or bed & breakfasts.
Obviously this isn't an ideal situation but it at least buys you some time
until you can find housing that where pets are allowed.
WHAT TO ASK WHEN RENTING SHORT-TERM LODGING
When you stay in a pet-friendly vacation accommodation,
you will likely be sharing close quarters with other guests or the hosts.
All accommodations have rules. Before you decide on a place to rent, find out:
- Pet Policies: accommodations need to keep all of their guests happy,
both those with and without pets. You will find that common pet policies include
restrictions on "excessive" noise - in other words, it's not okay for
your pet to make so much noise that it disrupts the peaceful enjoyment of
another guest or the host.
Another common restriction is that pets can't be left unattended in the rooms.
This is with good reason - unattended pets might get stressed out being left alone
in a strange place. And stressed out pets can lead to noise or destruction! It's a
good idea to find yourself a good local pet-sitter or a doggy daycare for those
times when you can't take your pet with you (for example, if you have to go to
work, or when you're house-hunting).
Also find out whether there are restrictions on the types of pets allowed
(some places will only allow dogs), and if you intend to bring multiple pets,
whether there's a maximum number of pets permitted. Generally speaking, 1 or 2
pets per room is a very common policy.
Ask also about extra fees or deposits for pets.
Finally, get a copy of their pet policy if you can, so that there are
no surprises when you get there.
- Rates: ask whether the accommodation will offer you discounted
rates if you stay for an extended period of time. Most vacationers will
stay 1-2 weeks; you just might find hotels and smaller lodgings willing to
negotiate a better rate for a longer stay, especially at slower times of
the year.
- Nearby Pet-Related Amenities: are there parks or trails nearby,
or off-leash areas or dog beaches? Are pet-sitting, doggie daycare, and
dog walking services available nearby? Where is the closest vet clinic?
How about the closet pet supply store?
- Cancellation Policies: are there any penalties if you have to
cancel the remainder of your stay? You just might find a great pet-friendly
rental housing sooner than you thought.
Short term housing, especially for people with pets, can be an
excellent temporary solution until you find a place to call your own.
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