Report

Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.

General Hostel Operations

Fireandmirth started this discussion 13 years 11 months ago

This is my first post - so if this is covered elsewhere, feel free to redirect me.

I'm looking for wisdom, advice, tips, stories, or even dire warnings on the subject of hostel pets. Namely, my wife and I will be opening a small, green hostel (under thirty guests) in the Aussie bush, and we are considering whether or not to have a friendly house dog. We're trying to cultivate a very warm, familial, community feel. Any advice on breeds would be much appreciated. Also appreciated, anyone advocating another type of pet.

Ta!

Comments

Report

Josh Hostels

13 years

Just my experience:

Possible drawbacks are:

some guests are allergic
some guests are afraid of dogs or who don't like them. I was attacked by someone's wolf/German Shepherd hybrid once and it took me about 10 years before I felt like petting a dog again. Smaller dogs were an exception. I think a hostel Chihuahua is a much better idea than a hostel Great Dane.
The dog should be friendly. I was also once attacked by a hostel poodle in Asia who was aggressive towards the guests. The poodle was too small to do serious damage other than draw blood from my foot -- luckily in a country without rabies. :)

Possible benefits are:

Many guests like animals and the pet can contribute to the atmosphere.

Report

ACBBPatrick

13 years

No matter what type of pet, besides fish, you will get complaints of different types. So you have to weigh the benefits with the complaint factor. Many people consider pets to be unclean so you will get cleanliness comlaints for instance. Certain cultures believe that caged birds are bad luck, unclean and even that it is cruel to have them in cages. People with dog phobias don't care about dog size. We have had people in our homestay business (for ESL students) refuse to stay with us because they were petrified of our house cat, mainly Saudi and Koreans (cat stayed). Allergies are always a concern in a hostel, from laundry detergent use, food alergies (peanut butter in the kitchen) to perfumes etc so adding a pet will increase exposure to this issue. It's just that unexpected pets will bring a greater share of pet complaints in areas that you may not want people to complain about. (usually only perceived). As such we decided not to have pets or allow them onsite. I recommend (as a pet lover) that if you do decide to have pets to make sure all your marketing literature mentions it, including all booking engine descriptions. Some small hostels use pets onsite as a selling feature, as don't forget that there are many more pet lovers than pet haters. here is one in OZ that has chosen to do that: www.planetinn.com.au/latest-news-from-planet-inn/“alcoholic”-cats-at-the-planet-inn-perth

Report

ACBBPatrick

13 years

ooops.... I never read the comment at the end of the article about the hostel cats in the above example. yikes!! crap!! wonder why they chose to do that?

Report

Roi

13 years

We have a Labrador named Tomy. He is very friendly and most of the guest's love him and like to play with him.
We had one child who was afraid of dog's.
The main dog scare that we had was with the neighbor's Rottweiler who went for a walk on our lawn. still scare only as it's old and friendly as well.

Report

seanoge

13 years

We live in the West of Ireland and had a long haired Border Collie who was wonderful with the guests. But some were scared of him and would not come to the front door if he was outside. Some complained if he went in common room or kitchen but he was a wonderful guard dog. If anyone came near our private quarters he would let us know. I would do without the guests who complained (if you can afford to). Also don't forget Insurance, ours would not cover the dog so if anything did happen you could be in trouble. But go for it. You and the dog only live once.

Report

Nest_Bangkok

13 years

Make it another territory for only pet area outside the hostel. That will do

Report

Fireandmirth

13 years

Josh - Sounds like a fairly hostile hostel poodle. (Sorry ;))

I guess the question is, does the amount the pet contributes to 'atmosphere' for guests outweigh the negatives to them, like allergies and fear of dogs?
I'm afraid I'm not much of a Chihuahua fan. I was thinking more a lazy, takes rougher handling calmly, happy to be pet, sits by the fire, mid-sized dog. Something like a Lab, but not a Lab, as Labs have such a strong smell.

Report

Fireandmirth

13 years

I recommend (as a pet lover) that if you do decide to have pets to make sure all your marketing literature mentions it.

Excellent advice, ACBB.

Roi - I just saw that you have a Lab. How do you find the smell?

Seanoge - My wife and I love border collies. Unfortunately, they need so much space to run, and I don't want them frightening (or herding) the native wildlife.

Report

ComodoDragon

13 years

If you do have a hostel cat, it is imperative that you don't allow that cat into the kitchen. They can spread toxoplasmosis.

Report

rmzhao82

13 years

Just read this thread and I find it an interesting discussion. My husband and I are about to open up a hostel in China and we are considering having our dog (a teacup poodle) be there sometimes. I've read through a lot of hostel reviews in China and I found many positive comments when properties had pets onsite. The complaints I did find were when dogs were tied up (all day) or didn't go to the bathroom outside. Oh, and I did see one complaint due to cat allergies (though the hostel makes it perfectly clear on the booking site that they have cats). I think a lot of travelers miss their pets and like having one around. It can also be a good ice breaker.

Search form

Report 'Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Report 'Re: Seeking Advice On Having A Hostel Pet.'?

Pages

Join the world's largest community of hostel professionals.

Check Your Email