Report

Do you allow pets in your hostel?

General Hostel Operations

Rucksack Brian started this discussion 11 years 11 months ago

Would you allow a guest to bring their pets to your hostel?

Two hostels in the SYHA have opened their doors to travelers with four legged friends.

We are often asked if dogs can stay in our Youth Hostels and until recently the answer was no. Now, we are delighted to announce that we have introduced a pilot project of welcoming dogs into our Youth Hostels at two of our sites – Cairngorm Lodge and Torridon Youth Hostel.

From 1st December until 31st May 2013, dogs will be welcome to stay at these hostels when guests have booked a private room. A small fee of £5 per dog per night will be charged for those wishing to bring their dogs with them.

According to the SYHA website, the following conditions apply in order for a guest to bring their dog.

Dogs are permitted where a private room has been reserved.
The dog owner is responsible for cleaning up after the dog at all times
Please ensure your dog does not disturb other guests by noise or disruptive behaviour.
Dogs not to be left for long periods in bedroom alone (1 hour max.)
Dog owners must not leave the hostel premises without their dog!
You will need to bring your own equipment (bowls, bed, poop bags etc).
Dogs should be attached to leads at all times, both inside the hostel and within the hostel
grounds.
The charge will be £5 supplement per night per dog.
Offer bookable through Sales & Reservations Team and participating Hostel’s directly.
Dogs will have access to some public areas as designated at the relevant hostel.
Any damage incurred by the dog will need to be paid for by the owner.
Dog owners are fully responsible for their dog at all times.

Would you allow guests to bring pets other than dogs?

Comments

Report

sydney

11 years

My inner child would LOVE to allow dogs but other than the fact that it is against health code here legally I feel like it would be too much of a hassle.

My concerns would be:

Extra clean up for house cleaners and cost of damages. The shed fur or dog smell left behind especially if they let them sleep in the bed with them.

I'm sure some people would just let you charge them instead of actually cleaning up after their dog which would just again be extra work for the cleaners.

It would also be a huge hassle if the dog chewed furniture.

You can never know if anyone is allergic/has a fear of the animal who is also staying at the hostel.

The legal issues if someone were to be bit/ attacked.

I think I'm just used to people doing what they want and not care about the rules. To be honest, it's bothersome enough when people bring their kids along! I don't want to imagine what hell would break loose with a dog. The amount of times I've found used nappies just wrapped up in the laundry or hidden on the top shelf of a closet blows my mind. They aren't Easter eggs people!

Report

Rucksack Brian

11 years

I agree with you 100%. You mentioned pretty much all of the major concerns about accepting pets.

Extra mess
Shed fur
Lingering smells
Chewed furniture
Allergies
Phobias
Legal liability

Maybe also throw in

Fleas/ticks/bedbugs
Loud barking

The amount of times I've found used nappies just wrapped up in the laundry or hidden on the top shelf of a closet blows my mind. They aren't Easter eggs people!

HA! I'm suddenly picturing the world's worst Easter egg hunt in your hostel. "Remember what I told you kids, that's not chocolate inside!" Blech!

Report

malvinacroft

11 years

We actually have a pet in our hostel, it's a cat, and people seem to love it. Occasionally, we get travellers with allergies or who simply don't like cats, and this is when we let the cat out. During summertime, half of the time it stays out anyways, it's a bit of a wondering cat.

Report

Rucksack Brian

11 years

I have seen quite a few hostels with their own pets. The reactions from backpackers were mixed, but mostly positive. I always liked it.

Malvina, when you let the cat out does that satisfy your guests who don’t like him?

Once when I visited Aboriginal he brought his puppy by the hostel. One of the guests was upset that there was no warning on HW that a dog would be present. His dog was a furry little bundle of love, but the girl was terrified anyway. Sadly, even the cutest and sweetest of hostel pets can trigger reactions from guests.

My hostel has an aquarium and no one seems to be afraid of it yet.

Report

malvinacroft

11 years

We haven't had big problems so far, and the guests who didn't like our cat were pretty satisfied when i let it out. The funniest was when this Finnish woman, who wasn't smiling AT ALL, to anybody or anything i said, started to smile when she saw the cat come in, and told me she is allergic to cats so she cannot touch it. I immediately let the cat out, and i was careful that the cat stood out when this woman would be in the hostel. And still, even if she was allergic to cats, the only time when she would smile was when she saw the cat. It was the weirdest thing.

Search form

Report 'Do you allow pets in your hostel?'?

Report 'Re: Do you allow pets in your hostel?'?

Report 'Re: Do you allow pets in your hostel?'?

Report 'Re: Do you allow pets in your hostel?'?

Report 'Re: Do you allow pets in your hostel?'?

Report 'Re: Do you allow pets in your hostel?'?

Join the world's largest community of hostel professionals.

Check Your Email