Pet Owners Want To Take Pets With Them

By Author: Ganapathy Krishnan
Total Articles: 3
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Honda has developed a specialized model of the Element, creating the first "pet-friendly" version which will be released next month. The APPA adds that Omaha Steaks, Harley Davidson, and Old Navy are examples of companies that have expanded their customer base to include products for pets. Several lodging chains have also announced pet-friendly accommodations to include everything from oversized pet pillows and plush doggie robes, to a licensed dog masseuse on staff.
It may be smart for you to jump on board too. We hear all the time from our customers, "I have a very well-trained dog and will do whatever it takes to bring him on my trip! I will pay an extra deposit, whatever is needed!"

You may have put the walls up in the past to customers with pets, but considering the market out there, you may want to reconsider this. Here's why:

Dog owners going on vacation with their pets are generally highly responsible and will go out of their way not only in keeping your rental clean, but also in ensuring that no damage is done.

To safeguard yourself, you can add an extra pet deposit to the rental. ...
... You determine the amount, but we have seen anywhere from $100-$300 for this. Some are refundable, some are non-refundable - this is up to you as well.

It can be quite simple to qualify your renters to determine whether or not they are a responsible pet owner - just have a chat with them!

The next thing to remember is that cleaning up after a pet may not be any worse than cleaning up after your guests! For example, for the occasional mess, one of our employees uses "Anti-Icky-Poo" - yes it's true, but she swears by it. You can find more information at www.antiickypoo.com.

Want to take the plunge but still a bit concerned? Here's some counsel from the ASPCA:

Create dog-beds in the house - dogs will likely stay off furniture when they have their own, cozy place to lie down. Fabric shades and draperies are a better alternative to mini-blinds because they don't damage as easily
Rooms should be painted in a washable, semi-gloss paint - they are easy to clean
Tile, sheet linoleum, and Pergo® are pet-friendly floorings that allow you to easily wipe away accidental droppings
Spill-proof water bowls help prevent drooly drinkers from spilling on the floor
Have plenty of lint-rollers in stock
Before renting to a customer with a pet, make sure you lay some ground rules. For example, you may want to add a stipulation to your customers that they must vacuum and/or sweep up any pet hair for those breeds that shed - and - use the lint-roller on any furniture that they may have jumped on.

Creating a welcoming, pet-friendly environment will go a long, long way to expanding your customer base and bringing your rental to full capacity with bookings. It will increase your bottom line! No matter the size of dog - customers who baby their pets and bring them on vacation will most likely take extra care of your home and be forever grateful to you for opening it up to them (we predict positive customer testimonials as a result!). We'd love feedback from our pet owner customers as well.
Dr. Krishnan is the President of RentExpert (http://www.rentexpert.com), the leading site for high quality, well managed vacation rentals. Dr. Krishnan is a serial entrepreneur and has built multiple successful companies over the last 15 years. You can find more detailed information at http://www.rentexpert.com/alf/corporate/about_us.