Pets- Should they stay or go?

If you know me at all, you know that I love animals of all types. On our ranch we have goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys. We've even had pigs and peacocks. But above all these creatures great and small, I love my dog, Thor, and our new puppy, Pepper, the most. Whenever possible, they travel with us on all of our trips.

So when we started hosting, we naturally allowed pets to stay in our homes. Our dogs travel with us, so why wouldn't I allow other pet people to visit our homes with their pets?

In the last years, I've learned many lessons about hosting. But sadly, one of the primary lessons I've learned is that not all people are good pet owners. Pets are left alone to bark bark bark all day long, disturbing other guests. Pets have been allowed to do their business in the most unfortunate locations, creating health and safety hazards. Pets have been allowed to chew furniture, scratch doors and trim, eat pillows. Cleaning requirements have increased as pets have been allowed to sleep in the beds and climb on furniture.

​Because of these and other destructive behaviors, we now limit the number, type and age of pets allowed to stay. We also require pet owners to complete and return the following approval and rules agreement.

What we require is listed below:

How many pets will you bring? __________________________
What is the breed of your pet? __________________________
How much does your pet weight? _______________________
What is your pet's age? _______________________________
Has your pet ever caused any injury to other pets, animals, or people? ______________________________
Has your pet ever caused damage to any property including scratching, chewing, urinating or defecating indoors, damaging furniture or other property, digging holes? ______________________________

In addition, you will need to show that you agree to our rules regarding pets by initialing next to each rule:
I agree to abide by the following pet rules:

1. Pets must be kenneled.
___________ If I leave pet/s alone in the condo, I must kennel them for their safety, safety of maintenance staff, and to avoid unintentional damage. If I use a kennel provided by the property, I will clean and return it to storage after use.

2. Pets are not allowed on furniture or beds.
___________I will not allow pet/s on the furniture or beds.

3. Pets must be treated for fleas and ticks.
___________ I will be aware of local risks to pet/s such as wildlife and pests. All pets who visit Sonenalp must be treated for fleas and ticks.

4. Pets must be supervised at all times while in public or shared spaces.
___________ I will supervise pet/s in common areas including the foyers, garage, garden, and shared balcony.

5. Pets may only relieve themselves in the garden.
___________ I will not allow pet/s to relieve themself on the balconies, garage, patios or indoors.

6. Pet waste must be collected and disposed of safely.
___________ I will use waste bags to clean up after my pet in the garden. Leaving waste, even in bags, can attract bears. I will dispose of all waste in the bear safe dumpster located in the garage.

7. Booking guest is responsible for pets hosted under their reservation.
___________ I agree to be responsible for any and all damage to the building, grounds, condo, condo property, guests and guests' property that are caused by pet/s hosted under my reservation. I agree that in addition to the pet fee, my security deposit can be charged for costs including: property or personal damage and/or any additional cleaning costs associated with but not limited to pet waste, hair on furniture or bedding or any other issue related to my pet's stay.