How to Find Pet Friendly Rentals - TRIPPING base64Hash

How to Find Pet Friendly Rentals

Pet Friendly Rentals: How to Find Them

Tripping.com's comprehensive guide to ensuring that your pet will be right there with you on your next adventure.

Tripping.com's comprehensive guide to pet friendly rentals will help ensure that your pet will be right there with you on your next adventure. After all, How could you possibly exclude your four-legged friend from your holiday travl plans?

Pet Friendly Accommodation FAQ

Where is the pet-friendly filter?

Head to Tripping.com and input your destination and dates. Once you are on the search results page, access the pet-friendly filter by clicking on the green "Filter" drop-down menu that appears at the top-left of the page. The pet-friendly filter is conveniently located at the upper left-most position under “amenities."

I used the pet friendly rentals filter, but there were no search results. What should I do?

The pet-friendly filter can only identify properties that explicitly state “pets allowed." Many vacation rental owners do not include information on their pet policy in their property descriptions, while others may instead choose to list their rental under “pets considered." These properties do not necessarily prohibit pets, so you should not discount them from your search. Furthermore, many owners who label their rental “pets not welcome" may be open to hosting your furry friend if you ask.

Do pet policies differ on sites like HomeAway, FlipKey and VRBO?

Our partner sites place information about pet policies in various positions on their rental listings pages. Most sites will post about pets under the “suitability," “amenities," or “descriptions" tabs. Others may highlight the information in a prominent box to the right of the description or above owner contact information. If you still cannot find pet policy information, odds are that the property manager chose not to list it on their rental description page.

Tripping.com Tip

To quickly locate pet information on a rental page use ctrl + F (PC) or command + F (Mac) and search for “pet".

The vacation rental I found says “pets considered". What does that mean?

“Pets considered" is a term used to indicate that the property owner allows animals to stay in their rental home on a case-by-case basis.

Why are some vacation rental property managers opposed to hosting dogs, cats and other pets?

The main reason most property managers prohibit pets is irresponsible pet owners who will not properly clean up after their pet and/or monitor their pet's behavior. Other common reasons include allergies, mess, smell, noise, and hardwood floor damage.

What should I include in my email to the property owner?

Policy: “pets welcome"

Even though the cabin, home, condo, or apartment you wish to rent may say “pet-friendly" on the listing, you should still tell the owner that you plan on bringing your pet(s). The owner may have restrictions on the number of pets you bring or the type, so you do not want to be blindsided by these limitations when you arrive. Keep in mind that owners dread irresponsible pet parents, so reassure them of your excellent pet care abilities. Property owners can also lend you valuable advice regarding the best places to walk your dog, local veterinarians, pet stores, and other helpful tips.

Policy: not listed, listed as “pets considered," or listed as “pets not allowed"

For starters, provide the owner with information about the number and kind of pet(s) you have. The physical profile of your pet should also include its weight, hair type, age, immunizations, and neutering/spaying status. Describe your pet's training and behavior, including whether it is housebroken, comfortable around new animals, knows commands, and barks/chirps/meows frequently. If your animal holds any certifications (e.g. Canine Good Citizen or Service Dog) be sure to highlight those accomplishments. To be fair, let the owner know if your animal has ever bitten or caused injury to anyone and whether you have taken steps to prevent this kind of behavior since the incident.

Recall that most property owners are looking for confirmation that you will not be an irresponsible owner who leaves the rental looking like a tornado swept through the living room. Help reassure the owners by telling them about how many pets you have trained, how many years of experience you've had caring for pets, and the wealth of pet supplies you plan to bring with you on your trip. As a general rule, keep the tone of the email friendly and positive; there is no need to be presumptively defensive.

How can I prepare for my stay with my animal companion?

Once you've confirmed that your pets are welcome, you should further communicate with the owner about the pet supplies that will be provided at the rental. If you are going to a particularly hot or humid destination, make sure to get your animal's hair cut before you leave for your trip in order to reduce the chance of heat stroke. Likewise, if you are going to a winter ski haven, purchase snow booties and a sweater or jacket to keep your pet warm. You should also research the closest pet stores, animal clinics, and pet-friendly spots so your animal can come home healthy and relaxed, too. Refer to the below checklist to make sure you will have access to all necessary supplies upon arrival at your destination for an enjoyable vacation with your pet.

Water and food bowls
Pooper scooper or dog waste bags (if traveling with a dog)
Kitty litter (if traveling with a cat)
Food and treats
Leash
Pet bed
Your pet's favorite toys
Collar
Kennel (if your dog is not housebroken)
Cage (if traveling with a bird, reptile, or rodent)

What measures should I take during my stay to ensure that everything goes smoothly?

Be considerate. If you make sure to clean up after your pet, minimize the chances of excessive howling or barking, and bring your pet to places appropriate for its level of socialization, you will likely not run into any problems.