Tips for Running a Pet Friendly Property

If you advertise your property as pet friendly (i.e. your property accepts pets), here’s a few things to consider, and you may wish to do more than this; it’s not an exhaustive list.

Include additional information in emails and in welcome packs and/or on signs at the property

• In emails sent to holidaymakers before their holiday, you could:

  • let them know the number of the local vet(s) and out of hours vet(s) with an appropriate disclaimer about them being subject to change, and ask holidaymakers to double check them, and print or save them, before their visit;

  • remind them to check the property and its surroundings when they arrive for anything that could be hazardous to their pet e.g. chocolate in welcome packs, daffodils, rhododendrons and other plants that are toxic to pets, and ask them to keep their eyes on their pets accordingly, they know their pets best.

• In welcome packs, or signs at the property, why not repeat the above messages? An example of a sign that could appear at a property is:

“Akin to parks, woodlands, pub gardens etc. there may be plants or other matter that is poisonous to dogs at the property, we appreciate this includes daffodils that appear in many a garden, please check the property and its surroundings and keep an eye on your pets accordingly.”

Make it easy for holidaymakers to contact the vets in an emergency

While mobile phones and WiFi take precedence in most modern holiday lets, landlines are a reliable form of communications when signal goes awry.

Consider a landline in your property if you've got no/poor-quality WiFi, or simply due to the fact that WiFi could let holidaymakers down when they need it most for their pet, guests or the property. Keep emergency numbers (including the vets) close to the phone, again with appropriate disclaimers that they may be subject to change.

An alternative for installing a landline could be making your guests aware of the nearest public phone or location with a strong signal.

Assist holidaymakers:

• The above encourages holidaymakers to check the property and its surroundings when they arrive for potential hazards. They know their pets best and are responsible for them, but why not help them out:

  • put welcome baskets with chocolate, raisins in etc. in the middle of tables, out of reach of pets unless they climb, or don’t include items that could be harmful to pets;

  • put chemicals, dishwasher tablets etc. regularly used by households in higher up cupboards, and ensure they have appropriate tops on them. Remove from the property or lock other chemicals away;

  • have bins with lids on them for holidaymakers to use if they want to keep certain foods or substances away from their pets; ideally holidaymakers will have sturdy outside bins, similar to the ones provided by councils, with lids on that they can use for this purpose;

  • put up blockades so pets can’t get behind appliances such as washing machines, dryers, refrigerators or air conditioning units;

  • try and secure or tie up all cables or window blind pullies; and holidaymakers can also choose to unplug things or put things in front of wires too. You may want to purchase plug socket covers, and holidaymakers can turn off plug sockets when they are not in use (this applies to indoor and outdoor electrics);

  • let holidaymakers bring their own pet toys, they know which ones are best for their pets and if they are still safe for their pet to play with, or if you do choose to leave pet toys please let holidaymakers know they are responsible for checking them and deciding if they are safe for their pet to use or they can put them away if not;

  • where you can, plant plants in the garden that aren’t toxic to pets if eaten, and remove ones that you spot are; some pets like to dig and eat plants not recognising that they could be toxic to them, the same applies for household plants, which it’s often a good idea to place out of reach of pets in a similar way to the welcome basket;

  • where you advertise an enclosed garden, make it difficult for pets to escape from it, whilst appreciating some curious pets may always find a way – tall fencing, patching up holes etc. may help. If you are concerned your garden isn’t completely enclosed, ask us to add a note to your property description

  • establishing a designated area such as a sand pit for dogs to play or dig.

• There are some things holidaymakers wouldn’t know about, ensure you use non-chemical, pet-friendly pest and weed control products on your garden.

Looking to manage your pet-friendly holiday let?

At Sykes, we can offer a range of different services to help manage your property.

If you've got a property you're thinking of letting out, why not download our free owner's pack today? Or get in touch with our Managed Services team on 01244 917724. We are available between the hours of 9am-5:30pm, Monday to Friday.