Do you think Pets should be allowed at HGVC resorts? (? Dogs, Cats, rabbits, snakes)?

[mountainboy]

Seeing lots of pets at HGVC resorts recently...
What is your opinion re this?
(Service Dogs for disabled folks are an ADA compliance issue; so, always should be allowed).
Question is re 'Pets', in general....
TY!

 

[dioxide45]

Pets have an added cost to the association.

 

[dayooper]

No, pets should not be allowed in the resorts. As @dioxide45 mentions above, they are an added cleaning cost to the HOA.

 

[ljmiii]

Nope.

 

[pedro47]

No pets should be allowed at any resorts. Certified Service Animals..Yes. IMHO

 

[WorldT]

Are you trying to start a war with animal lovers? There are some people who think their pets take preference over other humans.

 

[alwysonvac]

Seeing lots of pets at HGVC resorts recently...

Which resorts?
HGVC resort, Affiliated resort, Diamond resort, etc?

 

[weems637]

Now that would be a niche market. Week stay at a HVC club for pets. Owners allowed a day pass, but must stay off property! But wait, they already have boarding kennels for that......

 

[HuskerATL]

We just stayed in the Hampton Inn in Franklin, NC., and they allow pets. Our carpet was wet when we checked in but I thought it was just because they had the AC cranked down to 61. It was gross to walk on, musty all night, and then when you would walk from the carpet to the tile, it left wet foot prints. I didn't comment to the front desk until the next morning when we checked out, just 1 night there, and they apologized saying that when a pet stays in the room, they clean the carpets but didn't realize it was so wet and the room smelled so musty. I suggested that she go to the room since the next morning, the carpet was still wet and the room smelled like we had a hot tub in there.

The problem with any pets, especially ones that have hair and dander, is that there is no possible way for the already over worked cleaning staff to completely clean it, especially in the window that they have to do it. Then owners bitch about about getting into rooms late or can't get in early.

Also, you have people allergic to various animal dander/hair...so it really isn't fair to them. Just imagine, you plan your whole vacation, spend the money to get there, and looking forward to a great relaxing vacation but then deal with allergic reactions in your room. Sometimes, you can ask for a different room but then you have to move all of your stuff and it may not be available or may not be as nice. So, one guest impacts another.

I actually don't think that any pet should be allowed, except a seeing eye dog and there should be proof that it is needed. Unfortunately, people work around the rules for a service animal because they are either just to lazy to board them or too cheap and could care less about the impact on others. But, we do live in a selfish society now where folks could care less if they impact others.

 

[dioxide45]

I actually don't think that any pet should be allowed, except a seeing eye dog and there should be proof that it is needed.

There are certainly other service animals than just guide dogs (seeing eye). Many which can be considered life saving. Diabetics have seeing dogs that can sense a low blood sugar. Other dogs for detecting an oncoming seizure.

The problem with most hotels, resorts and other establishments is the staff is not asking people with animals the questions they should be asking to determine if it is indeed a true service animal and not a pet. I don't know if it is lack of training of staff, they don't want the confrontation. Then there is also where people just sneak their pet into a resort.

 

[HuskerATL]

There are certainly other service animals than just guide dogs (seeing eye). Many which can be considered life saving. Diabetics have seeing dogs that can sense a low blood sugar. Other dogs for detecting an oncoming seizure.

The problem with most hotels, resorts and other establishments is the staff is not asking people with animals the questions they should be asking to determine if it is indeed a true service animal and not a pet. I don't know if it is lack of training of staff, they don't want the confrontation. Then there is also where people just sneak their pet into a resort.

True. There are other less intrusive ways to detect low blood sugar but I get your point.

I am sure that it adds a lot of burden on the front desk because then the next step for them, if the owner couldn't "prove" the need, is to tell them that they can't check in. That puts the owner in a weird position to find boarding in a town that they may not know, time of day that they are closed, or a weekend. Then it leads to confrontation... So they just take the easy route and besides, if the next owner staying there has an issue, oh well. Hopefully, they aren't working that day.

And I have had dogs basically my whole life but have boarded them for trips and it is expensive plus a hassle... But that is life.

 

[andre10056]

My 119 unit building does not allow pets but must do so if the pet is certified to be necessary by a doctor. Hence, according to our building's management, virtually all of the dogs and cats living in the building are deemed medically necessary due to their being "emotional support animals". And, therefore, no residence or hotel or timeshare resort may refuse to allow the owners to bring those medically necessary animals BY LAW.

It's sometimes interesting to walk by apartment doors where all you hear is the most vicious growling and angry barks coming your way. To me, such pet is an "emotional aggravation" pet, not an emotional support pet.

 

[dioxide45]

True. There are other less intrusive ways to detect low blood sugar but I get your point.

I am sure that it adds a lot of burden on the front desk because then the next step for them, if the owner couldn't "prove" the need, is to tell them that they can't check in. That puts the owner in a weird position to find boarding in a town that they may not know, time of day that they are closed, or a weekend. Then it leads to confrontation... So they just take the easy route and besides, if the next owner staying there has an issue, oh well. Hopefully, they aren't working that day.

And I have had dogs basically my whole life but have boarded them for trips and it is expensive plus a hassle... But that is life.

I know that resorts have a list of local boarders and their hours. Perhaps they could also work out an arrangement with one or two that they could refer guests to 24/7. Owners and guests who are brining their pets know full well they are breaking the rules of the resort. They just hope the resort doesn't challenge them and for the most part the resorts don't. If resorts started growing a backbone, the shenanigans would go away.

Perhaps have one or two staff that are trained properly in this situation, knowing what to ask and can handle confrontation and deny the guest the ability to checkin for the night with their pet. Like providing a list of local boarders, the resort could also provide the guest a list of nearby hotels that can accomodate them with their pet until they can find boarding accomodations.

 

[HuskerATL]

I know that resorts have a list of local boarders and their hours. Perhaps they could also work out an arrangement with one or two that they could refer guests to 24/7. Owners and guests who are brining their pets know full well they are breaking the rules of the resort. They just hope the resort doesn't challenge them and for the most part the resorts don't. If resorts started growing a backbone, the shenanigans would go away.

Perhaps have one or two staff that are trained properly in this situation, knowing what to ask and can handle confrontation and deny the guest the ability to checkin for the night with their pet. Like providing a list of local boarders, the resort could also provide the guest a list of nearby hotels that can accomodate them with their pet until they can find boarding accomodations.

That is a very good suggestion. I am sure that HGV has talked through this but that would be a good suggestion for them.

 

[Hindsite]

Personally I don't want to be around other people's pets, I have enough problems with neighbours at home disturbing us because of their poorly trained dogs, and cat poop in my vegetable garden.

I do think that some resorts are large enough that there could be a designated area for people with Pets to be without disturbing other guests, but the inevitable outcome of that would be people abusing the system and then everyone ending up having a problem.

Long distance Ferries throughout Europe seem to manage and I've been amazed how well all the dogs behaved, better than many children and adults. Chaos did ensue in the security line when a cat had to be taken out of its carrier to go through the arch scanner, but that soon passed and kudos to the cat for handling it well.

 

[brp]

F no.

Cheers.

 

[HuskerATL]

Long distance Ferries throughout Europe seem to manage and I've been amazed how well all the dogs behaved, better than many children and adults. Chaos did ensue in the security line when a cat had to be taken out of its carrier to go through the arch scanner, but that soon passed and kudos to the cat for handling it well.

I have noticed that in Europe also but I think the issue is that we have more idiots here....

 

[Lakeshore]

No..definitely no. When we purchased our timeshare 20 years ago, this was not even a thought-having pets in the rooms. I don’t want animals butts on the furniture that I’m going to be using. I didn’t pay for that. No pets. And what about people who are allergic to pets? There is no way they clean thoroughly enough. At Marriotts we are already seeing requests for the owners to “help” with the housekeepers jobs. This really is getting out of control with the pets. People just blatantly ignore the rules….entitlement at its finest…well, really worst.

 

[HuskerATL]

No..definitely no. When we purchased our timeshare 20 years ago, this was not even a thought-having pets in the rooms. I don’t want animals butts on the furniture that I’m going to be using. I didn’t pay for that. No pets. And what about people who are allergic to pets? There is no way they clean thoroughly enough. At Marriotts we are already seeing requests for the owners to “help” with the housekeepers jobs. This really is getting out of control with the pets. People just blatantly ignore the rules….entitlement at its finest…well, really worst.

How dare you not allow my emotional support ostrich in the room....

 

[Panina]

I would love to take my dog but ultimately I say no.

There are people who have extreme allergies to pets. Some have fear of pets. There is an added cost to cleaning and it will never be free of pet hairs or accident smells. Leaving a pet alone when you leave the unit with no one there can be high stress for the animal. Noise from the animal would also be heard in other units. Existing timeshares should not change the rules. New ones can allow dogs as buyers will know what they are in for.

FYI, my dog was trained as a service dog. I have the papers for him. When he joined our household, retired, we never used his status to take him anywhere. Those with true disabilities that need a service dog 100% yes. Unfortunately I know too many people that claim their dog is an emotional support dog and they are not thus I say no to dogs unless they have legitimate Service dog paper.

 

[dioxide45]

Unfortunately I know too many people that claim their dog is an emotional support dog and they are not thus I say no to dogs unless they have legitimate Service dog paper.

Even an "emotional support dog" isn't protected under ADA and this is where resorts need to draw the line and tell people they can't bring them to the resorts. So even if people claim they have an "emotional support dog" they aren't something that is protected.

 

[geist1223]

Under Federal Law there is no requirement that the Service Animal wear anything special. Nor does it require that the owner prove certified training. Management is allowed to ask two questions. 1. Is your dog a trained certified service animal? 2. What life essential task is your service dog trained to perform? Under Federal Law only 2 animals can be service animals - Dogs and ? (Guess). If a service animal misbehave or disturbs other guests it can be told to leave.

 

[WorldT]

Even an "emotional support dog" isn't protected under ADA and this is where resorts need to draw the line and tell people they can't bring them to the resorts. So even if people claim they have an "emotional support dog" they aren't something that is protected.

Aren't some states or cities passing laws now that they don't have to be properly trained service animals. Any emotional animal is allowed as long as a doctor signs a piece of paper.
The criteria for getting that is simple: you pay a consultation fee, tell me you need this animal for support because of..... (Fill anything in the blank) and bingo, you have an emotional support animal certificate.

 

[HuskerATL]

Aren't some states or cities passing laws now that they don't have to be properly trained service animals. Any emotional animal is allowed as long as a doctor signs a piece of paper.
The criteria for getting that is simple: you pay a consultation fee, tell me you need this animal for support because of..... (Fill anything in the blank) and bingo, you have an emotional support animal certificate.

This is how my wife takes me on trips....

And then when she doesn't want me to go, she conveniently forgets to get the doctor's note...

 

[sponger76]

My 119 unit building does not allow pets but must do so if the pet is certified to be necessary by a doctor. Hence, according to our building's management, virtually all of the dogs and cats living in the building are deemed medically necessary due to their being "emotional support animals". And, therefore, no residence or hotel or timeshare resort may refuse to allow the owners to bring those medically necessary animals BY LAW.

It's sometimes interesting to walk by apartment doors where all you hear is the most vicious growling and angry barks coming your way. To me, such pet is an "emotional aggravation" pet, not an emotional support pet.

I know that at least as far as air travel goes, Emotional Support Animals have been deemed legally not the same as Service Animals, and therefore can indeed be refused. Not sure if there is a different standard for hotels/resorts or not, but there is at least some precedent that ESAs can be treated differently from, say, seeing-eye dogs.