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

[HitchHiker71]

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.

Agreed - my middle son has fairly bad pet dander allergies for example, as do many others these days. As a Wyndham owner, I wouldn't be opposed to adding "Pet friendly" units similar to how we already have ADA accessible units at most resorts, where owners can search/book into these units explicitly when needed if pets are a requirement for whatever reason, while owners without pets can also book into these units with foreknowledge that the unit in question is "pet friendly" for example. I've mentioned this in the past however doing this would apparently require amendments to the governing documents/by-laws, so doing so would take some effort in other words.

If this approach was taken, at least owners would know in advance that pets have been in the unit since it's a designated "pet friendly" unit, so as to avoid a pet allergy issue. I'd rather a solution like this be implemented over the current scenario, where people simply feel entitled to bring pets along despite the stated policies otherwise, since the resort staff is often unwilling to do anything about it even if the issue is reported to the front desk, beyond perhaps making a phone call to the unit in question, which typically results in no resolution. In the current scenario, owners with pet allergies really have no idea whether a pet was in the unit or not. I think this issue has become more prevalent over the past several years as more folks rent out their timeshare ownerships. I've seen a growing number of dogs at resorts - and not a single one was a genuine service animal labelled as such - it was simply a pet dog.

 

[pedro47]

The problem with this is that this designated building will be lacking in some amenities that the "regular" buildings" get. Then there is the potential for a lawsuit based on discrimination against those with "support" animals. Yeah, I know...but it'll happen.

Cheers.

Plus, this building have to be occupied 52 weeks in a year. Thus the resort or hotel would lose revenue, when this villa/building is not fully occupied.

Also, special amenities must be built for this designated building. Examples
A dog trait and an enclosed area for the animal to exercise
A special bathroom to bath/wash the animal
A waste disposal compartment area
The carpet must be shampoo after every visit
The villa be should soundproof; so not to disturb any guest or animals in that building.

 

[easyrider]

God no. What about us humans with severe allergies? Do we have no "rights"?

I'm not sure how most companies enforce un-hygienic or disruptive service dogs but in both cases the animal can be refused. Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to refuse a service dog.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Hear me out
If it’s trending toward people “illegally” bringing dogs to properties why not potentially use it as a new revenue steam
Designate specific buildings and units for pets, establish a fee schedule that benefits the owners
I’ll give you an example
If I travel alone or with friends I don’t bring a pet, that opens me to multiple networks
If I travel with my youngest son who has a dog we choose Westgate or Vacation Village, recently Massanutten opened up a specific area with fees to bring his dog, therefore we choose that location.From a business point of view, if people are. Doing it anyway and disregarding the rules why not find a way to designate an area and make $ out of it?

So a company can charge a pet fee but they can't charge a service animal fee.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

I've seen a growing number of dogs at resorts - and not a single one was a genuine service animal labelled as such - it was simply a pet dog.

I noticed more dogs at resorts since Covid times and even though I think most of these dogs are pets, I can't tell the difference between a well trained dog and service dog. When I see a person making their service dog wear a service dog vest I always think it's fraud unless it's handler is blind.

Bill

 

[pedro47]

I'm not sure how most companies enforce un-hygienic or disruptive service dogs but in both cases the animal can be refused. Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to refuse a service dog.

Bill

A trained service animal will not attack another animal or a human being unless; their owner is in danger or being attack.

 

[Lakeshore]

Plus, this building have to be occupied 52 weeks in a year. Thus the resort or hotel would lose revenue, when this villa/building is not fully occupied.

Also, special amenities must be built for this designated building. Examples
A dog trait and an enclosed area for the animal to exercise
A special bathroom to bath/wash the animal
A waste disposal compartment area
The carpet must be shampoo after every visit
The villa should soundproof so not to disturb any guest or animals a

Plus, this building have to be occupied 52 weeks in a year. Thus the resort or hotel would lose revenue, when this villa/building is not fully occupied.

Also, special amenities must be built for this designated building. Examples
A dog trait and an enclosed area for the animal to exercise
A special bathroom to bath/wash the animal
A waste disposal compartment area
The carpet must be shampoo after every visit
The villa be should soundproof; so not to disturb any guest or animals in that building.

Exactly. And it doesn’t guarentee that the people wouldn’t still bring their pets into the no pets area. That is why I think only new pet friendly timeshares would be the answer. Uphold the rules in place that people bought into.

 

[pedro47]

A blind disable person will have two items a crane(with a white tip on the end ) and a service animal 24/7.

Not all blind disable person can afford to have and maintain a service animal. IMHO

 

[Lakeshore]

A trained service animal will not attack another animal or a human being unless; their owner is in danger.

Yes….that’s why it’s so obvious when these “service animals” start growling and barking at humans and even attacking other “service animals”…we saw this a few years ago at a timeshare..a person with two dogs(in matching outfits) and another person with a dog, were on the front lawn by the fountains at NCV and they started attacking each other…it was nuts….so obviously not service animals.

 

[easyrider]

A trained service animal will not attack another animal or a human being unless; their owner is in danger or being attack.

Yes they do. They are dogs after all.

Bill

 

[pedro47]

Yes they do. They are dogs after all.

Bill

Was that disabled person being attacked by a human or another animal?

A trained service animal have been taught to stand down unless, the owner is being attacked by another human or animal.

Every dog walking cannot be a trained service animal.

I forgot to mention it takes 12 to 24 months to fully trained a service animal.
After this training they are certified as a service animal (with documentation)...

 

[Vacay0606]

Last year at Westgate Vacation Villas, a dog off leash attacked one of the swans severely injuring it. Security said the dog ran off and they didn't know who the owner was. Thank God it wasn't a child. I've heard non-stop barking dogs left alone in the units without the owner's being present. They don't have pet specific units. I see dogs coming and going from random units. We stayed in a unit that had a strong odor upon check in and asked for cleaning services to come in on the 2nd day. I'm pretty sure the previous tenants had a dog in there and the unit wasn't thoroughly cleaned. Westgate is pet friendly and there is a $150 service fee but I wonder how many people sneak their dogs in and not pay.

 

[Pennytx]

Last year at Westgate Vacation Villas, a dog off leash attacked one of the swans severely injuring it. Security said the dog ran off and they didn't know who the owner was. Thank God it wasn't a child. I've heard non-stop barking dogs left alone in the units without the owner's being present. They don't have pet specific units. I see dogs coming and going from random units. We stayed in a unit that had a strong odor upon check in and asked for cleaning services to come in on the 2nd day. I'm pretty sure the previous tenants had a dog in there and the unit wasn't thoroughly cleaned. Westgate is pet friendly and there is a $150 service fee but I wonder how many people sneak their dogs in and not pay.

My experience with Westgate is limited to Branson Woods, at that location you must redgister your dog and they are only allowed in specific units
Same as Vacation Village in Orlando

 

[PigsDad]

So a company can charge a pet fee but they can't charge a service animal fee.

And that's one of the reasons so many pet owners "claim" their pet is a service animal.

Kurt

 

[Pennytx]

Was that disabled person being attacked by a human or another animal?

A trained service animal have been taught to stand down unless, the owner is being attacked by another human or animal.

Every dog walking cannot be a trained service animal.

I forgot to mention it takes 12 to 24 months to fully trained a service animal.
After this training they are certified as a service animal (with documentation)...

He is correct
If you have an animal properly trained it’s cost vary from 3 to 30k depending on what skills are needed. In the case of autism, which is my only experience it runs about 15k. The animal is matched with the child or adult and then trained for specific tasks. You are given a I d card and it’s also approved by, you won’t believe this but the department of agriculture, please don’t ask me why because I truly can’t answer that one.

 

[Pennytx]

If the staff really wants to eliminate people deceiving them they should simply ask for that card. The I D is accepted almost worldwide and required for a great deal of international travel.

 

[Pennytx]

On a different subject, even if you have a service animal you should imho only stay at places that are deemed “pet friendly” otherwise you are infringing on other people’s rights

 

[geist1223]

Under the Federal Law concerning Assistance Animals no ID is required. Nor are they required to wear any special clothing item. While it is true that organizations that train Service Animals might issue their own ID it is not required by Federal Law.

 

[dioxide45]

Under the Federal Law concerning Assistance Animals no ID is required. Nor are they required to wear any special clothing item. While it is true that organizations that train Service Animals might issue their own ID it is not required by Federal Law.

This might be what needs to change, but unfortunately it would take an act of Congress to make it happen. Those people aren't impacted by these things and there is no one there handing them money asking for change, so it won't happen.

 

[pedro47]

Service animals are protected under the ADA federal regulations.

A service animal must be at all times be under the control of its handler;
Either by a leash or a harness or tethered.

Service animals are not required to wear a vest.

Emotional service animals are not protected under ADA federal regulations.

 

[Lakeshore]

This might be what needs to change, but unfortunately it would take an act of Congress to make it happen. Those people aren't impacted by these things and there is no one there handing them money asking for change, so it won't happe

Under the Federal Law concerning Assistance Animals no ID is required. Nor are they required to wear any special clothing item. While it is true that organizations that train Service Animals might issue their own ID it is not required by Federal Law.

The law needs to change.

 

[JohnnyO]

A true service dog will be at his/her owner feet in a restaurant.

Problem : No hotel/timeshare employee can afford to have a paying customer to file a negative complaint against them.

One bad written complaint can be the kiss of death for their career.

Start filing complaints about them allowing non service animals … that should have the same effect.

 

[JohnnyO]

*HGVC/GPP has doggie poo bag dispensers along their walking path in Carlsbad....

Are you talking about the path above the flower fields? I’m pretty sure that’s city property and regulated.

 

[mountainboy]

Are you talking about the path above the flower fields? I’m pretty sure that’s city property and regulated.

Nope; the wavy path within the secure gates of GPP (parallel to Villa C, on ocean facing side), NOT the wide public path outside...

 

[easyrider]

A trained service animal have been taught to stand down unless, the owner is being attacked by another human or animal.

Generally, aggressive behavior disqualifies a service dog so most service dogs have a good demeanor and interact with people and other animals well. I really don't know how service dogs interact with people and pets for the most part. I've never owned one. I do know that as a business, that I'm not allowed to ask certain questions and I can't treat a person's service dog, real or fake, with any difference or bias.

Bill