Allowing pets in your vacation rental can be a rewarding decision. It’s no surprise that Americans love their furry friends and loyal travel companions—66% of US households own a pet and since November 2022, over 3 million pets have stayed at an Airbnb. So, why not tap into this large market to fill up your booking calendar and increase your rental income? If you’re on the fence about making your vacation rental pet-friendly, we’ll cover the perks, how to protect your home, and how to drive more bookings from pet owners.
Why you should allow pets
There are many benefits that come from allowing pets in vacation rentals. When you partner with AvantStay, your pet-friendly rental will shine on our platform. Only 37% of AvantStay homes allow pets, and we showcase these properties with a dedicated filter and “pet-friendly” icons (check out our pet-friendly vacation rentals collection that makes it easy for travelers to find the perfect pad for their pooch). In addition, owners with pet-friendly homes often enjoy:
Increased earning potential
Not all vacation rentals allow pets, so you can charge higher ADRs for this special accommodation. You can also charge guests non-refundable pet fees—for example, AvantStay charges $150 per pet
Guests booking longer stays
Because guests won’t have to leave Fido at home, they’ll likely book longer stays without the stress of boarding or finding a pet sitter.
More repeat guests
Finding the perfect pet-friendly vacation rental can be tough, so guests will likely be eager to book again after having a positive experience at your home.
How to make your vacation rental pet-friendly
While you may be dwelling on the cons and what-ifs of allowing pets in your vacation home, there are simple measures you can take to protect your rental property and create an exceptional experience for guests and pets alike.
Keep it clean
Hire a reliable housekeeping team who will thoroughly clean between each stay. Add extra steps to your cleaning checklist for pet-friendly vacation rentals, like deep cleaning the floors and furniture.
Prepare your space
Pet-proof your home as much as possible so your vacation rental can go the distance. Invest in HEPA air purifiers to reduce odor and dander, opt for tile or laminate flooring over carpet, purchase washable area rugs, and choose furniture with easy-to-remove (and wash) coverings. In addition, make sure your backyard is secured so pets can enjoy themselves off-leash.
Update your house rules
Update your house rules to reflect your pet policy. Be sure to include the number of pets allowed, any weight or breed restrictions, and off-limit areas for animals. If you have any fees or security deposits that cover pet accidents or damages, list those here as well.
Provide pet-friendly amenities
Impress your guests and reel in five-star ratings by supplying pup-approved amenities. Make sure you include these on your listing page or pre-check-in communications so guests don’t waste time packing them themselves. Consider providing:
- Water and food bowls
- Dog bed
- Waste bags
- Chew toys
- Leash
- Grooming supplies
- Treats
- Stain and odor removers
How to boost bookings from pet owners
Once your vacation rental is equipped to welcome pets, showcase it to the world. These simple tips can help you reach more pet owners and increase bookings.
Update and optimize your listing
When updating your headline and description, incorporate search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to further boost your reach to pet owners. Research search terms (“keywords”) that are popular in your market and add those to your listing. Some examples could be “dog-friendly Joshua Tree vacation rental” or “private beachfront cottage – pets allowed.”
In addition, entice potential guests to click “book now” by showcasing your pet amenities and listing nearby dog-friendly activities and attractions. Include these in your welcome book and pre-check-in communications so guests can easily access them.
Market to pet owners
Give your marketing strategy a revamp to make your pet-friendly rental shine; these tactics can help you target more pet owners.
Leverage niche listing sites
While you should list your home on all of the top distribution platforms, you can reach more pet owners by using pet-friendly listing sites. A popular option is BringFido, a pet travel and lifestyle brand that connects pet owners with more than 500,000 pet-friendly places, including vacation rental homes.
Tap into social media
Social media is a great way to reach new audiences and keep your past guests engaged. Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are popular among travelers looking to plan their next trip, so be sure to show off your home and its pet-approved amenities across these sites. Also, ask guests to capture photos of their pets enjoying your vacation rental so you can share them across your accounts.
Use paid advertising
Social media ads can amplify your reach to pet owners. Facebook and Pinterest make it easy to narrow your target audience. You can choose to show your ads to your ideal guest by using filters like location, age, interests, and more.
Pet-friendly vacation rentals by AvantStay
Making your property pet-friendly can be rewarding, but can also take a lot of work and is not without its risks. We set the new standard for vacation rentals by delivering a consistent, high-quality vacation experience for both homeowners and guests. One of the ways we’re able to do this is with our experiences and upgrades. Guests can use our app to schedule mid-stay cleans, request amenities like treats, toys, and dog beds, ask for custom pet-friendly itineraries and local recommendations, and much more. This level of service drives some of the highest ratings in the industry, repeat guests, and allows us to charge premium daily rates.
For homeowners, you have the choice to allow pets in your vacation rental or not, but you’ll always receive best-in-class care with AvantStay. At your home, our local operations teams manage maintenance, upkeep, and surveillance, while our housekeeping team professionally cleans after every stay in adherence with CDC cleaning standards and our 100-point cleaning checklist—say goodbye to unwanted pet hair!
Although guests are responsible for treating your property respectfully, there may be instances in which damages or pet accidents occur. We ensure any issues are fixed promptly and work with guests to determine what happened and collect the necessary payment.
Employing a combination of our best-in-class care, streamlined back-end operations, and elevated hospitality brand, AvantStay helps you earn more revenue than any other property management company. We take care of all the work to maximize your home’s returns—it’s that simple.
Interested in learning more about AvantStay’s management services? Our team is ready to help. Get started with our vacation rental management experts today!
