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The
subject of pet guest fees is often top of mind for many travellers
with pets. Many people question whether such fees are simply
designed to penalize for pet-toting travellers, or if there is
actually a rationale behind the fee. There are, in fact, a number of
considerations at play when properties that welcome pets charge an
additional fee for pet guests.
1.
Proper Cleaning - Any traveller knows that a clean guest room is
an absolute must when it comes to enjoying your stay. Any pet owner
can also attest to the fact that rooms which your pet is allowed to
frequent require more attention when it comes to cleaning than rooms
which are "pet-free" zones. Like it or not, most pets shed at least
a little. So in order to adequately clean a guest room following the
departure of a pet guest, deep cleaning procedures are required.
Drapes, carpets, furniture and linens can all collect pet fur and
dander, and therefore need special attention in terms of washing and
sanitizing. Switching air filters and utilizing air purifiers are
often part of the procedure. All of these tasks require an extra
expenditure of time and supplies on the part of the establishment's
cleaning staff, and therefore can merit a reasonable pet guest fee
to compensate for the extra expense incurred by the property.
2. Allergies - The issue of proper cleaning takes on a new
element when you consider potential allergic reactions experienced
by subsequent guests who stay in rooms that have housed pet guests.
Much like staying in a smoking room when you are allergic to
cigarette smoke, a traveller who is allergic to pets would have a
miserable time staying in a guest room that had not been cleaned
properly. The best pet guest program is one that carefully considers
the needs of both travellers with pets and travellers with
allergies.
3. Occupancy -
One well-established facet of the hospitality industry is the
concept of occupancy (the number of guests in a designated room) and
how it is related to room rates. In the majority of cases, room
rates are based on double occupancy and additional fees are levied
in cases where more than 2 guests are sharing one room (quite often
$10-$25 per additional person). This is primarily based on the fact
that additional "bodies" translate into additional use of supplies
and general wear and tear on the room and its furnishings. Cleaning
procedures aside, pet guest fees can also follow this same
rationale.
The
majority of establishments belonging to the Pets Can Stay program
charge a pet guest fee of anywhere from $5-$25 (per night or per
stay). A smaller number of properties allow pet guests to stay for
free, while another subsection have higher than average pet fees
based on certain special circumstances (e.g. Egyptian linens that
must be carefully hand-washed and sanitized following a pet guest's
stay). Pets Can Stay's guideline for this area is as follows:
"If an additional fee is charged to guests travelling with pets, it
is a reasonable amount reflecting the extra cleaning costs or
maintenance expenses the lodging incurs for accepting pets. The fee
should not represent a financial penalty to the pet owner for simply
bringing an animal to the premises."
In
most cases,
the fee should not be more than 25% of the overall room rate. |
