Catering to pet owners by offering a pet-friendly holiday let is a fantastic way to expand your guest base and increase bookings. However, ensuring your property is well-prepared for furry visitors is key to providing a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable stay for both pets and their owners.
At Reliance Retreats, we’ve compiled these expert tips to help you create a standout pet-friendly property that guests will love—and keep coming back to.
1. Keep Guests Informed Before Arrival
Setting expectations and providing helpful information in advance ensures a smooth and worry-free stay for your guests.
Pre-Arrival Essentials:
- Local Veterinary Services: Share contact details for nearby vets, including out-of-hours numbers. Remind guests to verify these details before their stay.
- Hazard Awareness: Warn guests about potential risks, such as toxic plants or harmful items like chocolate in welcome packs.
Suggested Message for Guests:
“As with parks or woodlands, there may be plants or items at the property that are harmful to pets, such as daffodils in the garden. Please inspect the surroundings and keep a close watch on your pets accordingly.”
2. Make Emergency Contacts Accessible
Emergencies can happen, and clear communication is essential.
Tips for Emergency Preparedness:
- Provide a landline phone if mobile signals or WiFi are unreliable in your area.
- Display emergency contact numbers, including vets and out-of-hours services, prominently within the property.
3. Create a Safe Environment for Pets
Guests are responsible for their pets, but you can make their stay easier and safer by pet-proofing your property.
Safety Measures:
- Food Safety: Store potentially harmful items, such as chocolate or cleaning products, out of pets’ reach in locked cupboards or high shelves.
- Secure Hazardous Areas: Block off spaces where pets could get stuck, like behind large appliances.
- Protective Measures: Manage cables and wires with protective covers or encourage unplugging unused devices.
- Enclosed Gardens: Ensure garden fences are secure and free from gaps to prevent escapes. Add a note in your property description if the garden is fully enclosed.
- Pet-Friendly Plants: Remove toxic plants and replace them with non-toxic alternatives in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
4. Add Thoughtful Pet Amenities
Small touches can make a big impact on your guests’ experience and show that you value their pets as much as they do.
Pet-Friendly Additions:
- Toys: Offer pet toys, but clarify that guests should check their condition before use.
- Designated Play Areas: Create a space, like a sandpit, for pets to dig or play safely.
- Secure Bins: Provide bins with secure lids to prevent pets from rummaging.
5. Use Pet-Friendly Products
Ensure that all pest control, cleaning, and weed-killing products used in your property are non-toxic and pet-safe. This small but essential step offers peace of mind for pet owners and protects the environment.
6. Communicate Clearly During the Stay
Providing clear instructions through welcome packs or signs ensures guests understand how to navigate the property safely with their pets.
Key Information to Include:
- How to contact local vets.
- A reminder to check the garden and surrounding areas for hazards.
- Guidelines for using any pet-specific amenities, such as designated play areas.
7. Offer a Welcoming Experience
Pet-friendly properties are in high demand, and creating a seamless experience can set your property apart.
How to Stand Out:
- Provide high-quality pet amenities, such as bowls, blankets, or treats.
- Ensure the property is clean and free of lingering pet odours from previous stays.
- Highlight your property’s pet-friendly features in your listing to attract pet owners.
Ready to Elevate Your Pet-Friendly Holiday Let?
Running a pet-friendly property requires careful preparation, but the rewards are well worth the effort. A well-equipped, welcoming environment ensures happy guests, glowing reviews, and repeat bookings.
At Reliance Retreats, we offer expert property management services to help you create the perfect pet-friendly retreat. From guest communication to property maintenance, we’ll ensure your property meets the highest standards for pet owners and their furry friends.
📞 Contact us today to learn how we can help you manage your pet-friendly holiday let and deliver unforgettable guest experiences.