Should I welcome pets in my holiday rental?

Should I allow pets in my Short Term Holiday Rental (Airbnb, Stayz, Booking.com) property? The short answer is, yes. Welcoming furry travelers in your holiday accommodation can significantly increase your occupancy rates and revenue and make you a stand-out host amongst a growing number of pet owners. Over 47% of all the households in Australia live with a dog and 25% of them have already been on a holiday with their pooches. Pet friendly holiday rental is one of the fastest growing categories in Australia with 1 in every 10 searches on Stayz being for pet friendly accommodation.

But what about all the extra cleaning and damage caused by dogs staying at my property? After talking to over 300 pet friendly hosts on Airbnb, they all confirmed this is a false assumption. Damage to the property is very rare and although there might be some extra cleaning involved after some (not all) furry friends, at the same time most guests travelling with their dogs are happy to pay a small pet fee to cover the extra cleaning requirements.

To help you with introducing pets to your holiday accommodation, we have partnered with MyPerfectHost to find out the TOP 10 tips on how to become a great pet-friendly host as well as things to consider if you are ready to become pet-friendly.

MyPerfectHost is a free online platform, with a mission to connect property owners with the best property managers, and help them find the right tools for their business efficiently and with confidence. If you are a property manager or a local service provider, you can list your business with them for free. They can even help you with the registration process and help you to make your listing stand out.

Find out more about MyPerfectHost

1. Welcome pets inside your property

Dogs inside, please! This is the most important thing to get right if you want your property to be pet-friendly. Working farm dogs may live outside, but dogs that live with their owners inside do not go on vacation without them. That’s why it’s important to allow dogs inside your property.

If you don’t allow dogs inside, dog owners may either cancel their booking or ignore your rule. Here at Pupsy, we have years of experience helping dog owners with their travels, and this is the only dog rule we require from the properties listed on our site, all other dog rules are set by the owners. Find out more about our dog friendly booking platform!

2. Clear Pet Rules

When hosting dogs at your property, it’s important to have clear rules and etiquette in place. This will help to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable stay.

Here are some tips for setting clear pet rules:

Be specific about what is and is not allowed. For example, you may want to specify whether dogs are allowed on furniture, beds, or in the kitchen. Communicate your rules to guests in advance. This can be done in your listing description, check-in instructions, or even in a welcome note at the property.

Be understanding and flexible. Dog owners are often very happy to play by your rules, but they may have some questions or concerns. Be willing to listen to their feedback and make accommodations if possible.

Here are some specific examples of pet rules that you may want to consider:

No dogs on furniture or bedding please.

Please supervise your furry friend at all times and do not leave them alone at the property

Make sure your dog goes to the bathroom in designated areas.

By setting clear and reasonable pet rules, you can help to create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for both dogs and their owners.

3. Add Furry Features to your property

Do I have to provide bedding, bowls, towels… for dogs?

You don’t have to, but it’s a nice way to make your property more welcoming to dogs and their owners. Most dog owners travel with their own supplies, but it’s always a good idea to have a couple of extra bowls on hand. You can also leave some old towels at the entrance for dirty paws.

If your property is fenced, make sure it’s secure so that dogs can’t escape. If you don’t have a fence, don’t worry. Most dog owners are happy to keep their dogs on a leash when they’re outside.

Here are some additional tips for making your property more dog-friendly:

Provide a comfortable place for dogs to sleep, such as a dog bed or crate.

Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available.

4. Help dog owners to find dog friendly places & activities near you

As mentioned before, we don’t recommend allowing dogs to stay unattended at your property. Therefore it is important to help dog owners to find places they can take their dogs with them. Many wineries, bars, beaches, cafes… welcome furry travellers to join their human parents. Every time dog owners book a property on Pupsy they receive a Dog Friendly Travel Guide to the area.

5. Welcoming (instead of allowing) your furry guests

Using the phrase “dogs welcome” instead of “dogs allowed” sends a more positive message to dog owners. It shows that you’re happy to have their dogs at your property and that you’re looking forward to their visit. Maybe leave a small treat for your furry guests and if you know their names, include them in your welcome note. Simple things can make a big difference.

6. Get great reviews and recommendations

Going the extra mile with dog owners is a great way to get positive reviews. After all, pet parents are more likely to recommend a property to other pet parents if they had a good experience. At Pupsy we even encourage dog owners to write reviews from their dog’s perspective, which adds a fun and unique touch.

7. Include photos of your furry guests in your listing

Pictures tell stories so much better than words. Make sure you have some cute photos of your furry friends at your property as part of your listing. This will have an incredible impact right away and demonstrate your pet friendliness.

Pets can offer comfort and companionship to guests, and featuring their pictures can greatly influence potential bookings.

8. Make cleaning supplies easily available

It’s not required, but it’s a nice touch to leave some cleaning supplies at your property for dog accidents. Accidents happen, and dog owners may not travel with their own cleaning supplies. By leaving some available, you can help to make the cleanup process easier for your guests and reduce the risk of damage to your property.

9. Pup Entertainment (and remove things that look like toys)

Providing some entertainment for your furry guests is a nice way to make them feel welcome and comfortable. However, it’s important to remove any items that may look like toys, such as soft toys and balls. This is to minimise the risk of temptation and accidents.

10. Don’t discriminate by breed or size

It’s important to remember that dog owners rarely discriminate by breed. There are good and bad dogs in every breed. Instead of stating “no Staffies” or other specific breeds, you should simply state that well-behaved dogs are always welcome. What about size? If you have a small apartment without a yard, you may be wondering if it’s suitable for large dogs. The truth is that many large breeds, including Great Danes, can make great apartment dogs. As long as they get their daily exercise and stimulation, they are happy to simply chill at home.

Ready for making your property pet friendly or promoting your existing pet friendly accommodation to thousands of dog owners.

With our knowledgable and helpful staff, Pupsy is an easy way to give it a go. You define the rules, we make sure dog owners are aware of them before they even book your place. They also receive a V.I.Pooch Travel Kit + Dog Friendly Travel Guide to the area to get the holiday started in the best possible way 🐶

INTERESTED? FIND OUT MORE HERE!

About our Partner

Looking for expert guidance in mastering hosting or finding a reliable property manager in your area? MyPerfectHost is the perfect partner for beginners and seasoned pros alike.

Visit MyPerfectHost today to learn more about their comprehensive services and how they can help you achieve hosting success.

Here’s what you can expect from MyPerfectHost:

Hosting tips and advice: Benefit from MyPerfectHost’s wealth of knowledge about hosting – from creating a listing to managing your guests, they’re happy to share their expertise with you.

Property management: Connect with an experienced host in your area who can help you manage your property, allowing you to sit back and enjoy your hosting income.