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Pets?

F

FL Guy

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
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Jun 3, 2013
Messages
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Location
Lakeland FL
I'd like some Tuggers' input on pets at timeshares.

I own at Wyndham. I know all Wyndham resorts "official policy" is that only registered and trained ADA service dogs are allowed. But I've been to several resorts where I've seen several people have dogs that really don't appear to be true ADA service dogs. I have seen places online where you can essentially get any dog certified as a "service dog". Amazon sells "service dog" harnesses that come with certification/ADA cards. A sales rep even told me one time during an update that he would give me the information on where to apply for certification for my dog that would satisfy the requirements for all Wyndham resorts. He told me he takes his own dog frequently. (He never gave me the information during the meeting, and I forgot about asking him before leaving the meeting. I followed up with the parking pass person 3-4 times and left messages for the sales rep to contact me with the information, but he never did.)

I really would like to be able to take my dog, (small, about 17 pounds), with me sometimes.

What have you experienced, or advice do you have, regarding getting a companion dog certified so it can be taken to timeshares, specifically Wyndham timeshares?

Thanks!
 
Pets require no certification to be considered ADA eligible. Just do what those other people do with their pets. Lie about it. Call it an emotional support animal or just sneak it in. The reality is that an emotional support animal is not protected under ADA, but the resorts often don't care or turn a blind eye. The resorts are only legally allowed to ask two questions as it relates to service animals. Those people who bring what are really just pets either lie when they answer or aren't asked.

I've also found that a number of Wyndham resorts are actually dual HOA. They have whole owners and they have Club Wyndham rooms. Whole owners are allowed pets, so it is possible that you are seeing them around the resorts.

We are at The Westin Kierland Villas, when we were checking in late at night taking our bags to our room there was a woman with two small dogs being dropped off. I suspect the front desk asked her about her dogs as she was talking on the phone to someone explaining she told them they were emotional support animals. I'm sorry, but pets in general are there for comfort and emotional support. That is why people get pets and it isn't a legitimate service animal. There are dogs that are trained for PTSD and such, but that is much different than "emotional support".
 
I’ve owned several dogs that were well trained, but I never tried to pass them off as “support” dogs. I felt it wasn't fair to people with allergies to have to suffer when they stayed at a supposedly “pet free” facility. Just because I enjoyed having my pet there or didn't want to pay a dog sitter, they shouldn't have to stay in a room after my pet. When we did travel with our dog and stayed in the pet friendly rooms at a few hotels, I was appalled at how smelly those rooms would often be. I even had some allergy issues because our dogs were nonshed breeds, and I'm sure most dogs before us weren't.
 
dioxide45 said:
Call it an emotional support animal
Click to expand...

Worldmark doesn't allow esa's according to my AI. I'm not certain about other resorts.

Bill


No, WorldMark does not allow Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) at their resorts, only ADA-defined service animals are permitted. According to their guidelines, only service animals that are trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities are allowed. ESAs, which provide comfort and support through companionship, are not considered service animals under the WorldMark policy.

While WorldMark welcomes service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they do not extend the same allowance to ESAs. The WorldMark policy explicitly states that "all other animals, trained or untrained, whose sole function is to provide emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companionship do not qualify as service animals and are not permitted". This means that even if an ESA has documentation, it will not be allowed at a WorldMark resort.
 
Personally, I think bringing pets is annoying to others, and like one person said, affects people with allergies. It's completely disrespectful to others medical conditions. If they enforced specific pet rooms and those pet people paid the extra costs to MFs then fine. Basically, enforce the rules and let me know honestly if I'm going to be surrounded by dogs and I'll make an informed choice.

I almost stepped on a little dog here at Smuggs trying to go down the stairs to get ice because the dog was off leash and decided to suddenly dart in front of me over to "my side" of the stairs and his owner had to reach down and grab the dog. I was also of course a little concerned about biting, luckily this dog didn't do that, and seemed very friendly if oblivious.

The other thing about the pets we see even when allowed is discriminatory to people who have large dogs, it's always 50lbs and smaller. I know why - a pissed off Newfie at 110+lbs can do more damage quicker than a medium lab, but I just also hate the hypocrisy.
 
My experience is that Westgate and Vacation Villages offer per friendly accommodations
We’ve personally used them
There is a small fee but I honestly don’t recall the amount
 
Pennytx said:
My experience is that Westgate and Vacation Villages offer per friendly accommodations
We’ve personally used them
There is a small fee but I honestly don’t recall the amount
Click to expand...

Some mixed inventory units allow pets too. We've taken our dog to some of these places that allows dogs.

We were at a Hilton Hotel for a night on our way to Palm Springs and decided to get some coffee and what nots at the breakfast lounge. A couple came in with a 60+ pound dog on a leash that threw up on the floor next to the food. We were sitting down and I did ask them if they were going to clean it up. They said nope and left the mess there while explaining their dog was a service animal blah blah blah. I only said what ever and that started another round the blah blahs so we left.

Bill
 
You have to live with yourself.
When I take my dog to pet friendly resorts, I pay the extra fee. If they are not friendly, I don't take my dog there.
 
easyrider said:
Some mixed inventory units allow pets too. We've taken our dog to some of these places that allows dogs.

We were at a Hilton Hotel for a night on our way to Palm Springs and decided to get some coffee and what nots at the breakfast lounge. A couple came in with a 60+ pound dog on a leash that threw up on the floor next to the food. We were sitting down and I did ask them if they were going to clean it up. They said nope and left the mess there while explaining their dog was a service animal blah blah blah. I only said what ever and that started another round the blah blahs so we left.

Bill
Click to expand...
That’s so rude
Bet their kids are awful also 🤣
 
Call and ask if the timeshare has pet friendly units. If not- leave the pet home or find a kennel nearby the timeshare if you must have your dog with you.

I find it despicable that people pass their dogs off as service animals when they are not.

And as far as emotional support animals, all pets by their very nature are emotional support animals. That’s why people have them in the first place.🙄
 
Our friends faked their dog as a service animal, even through TSA with completion of paperwork to swear that it is a service dog. We used to invite them to travel with us and did that for many years. In the beginning they didn't have a dog but later they adopted one. In the end we stopped inviting them to join us because we have had it with their pet.
 
We always hire a House/Pet Sitter when we travel. People that lie about their pets and break the rules are no better than folks that sell methamphetamine.
 
Last edited:
"A sales rep even told me one time during an update that he would give me the information on where to apply for certification for my dog that would satisfy the requirements for all Wyndham resorts. He told me he takes his own dog frequently."

====
This has to be one of the most hideous timeshare salesman lies ever shared on TUG.
 
WinniWoman said:
Call and ask if the timeshare has pet friendly units. If not- leave the pet home or find a kennel nearby the timeshare if you must have your dog with you.
Click to expand...
I like your new profile pic!
 
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