Post by deborah on Sept 23, 2015 5:41:15 GMT
What part of "No Pets " is so hard to understand?
Reply:
I'm sorry.. were you saying i could bring my iguana to visit?
Early in my hosting career I got a few requests to bring pets.. I haven't in a very long time.
In my house rules is the following:
Reminder: this is a pet-free and non-smoking house, but you're welcome to smoke outside on the deck.
Once I added that I stopped getting pet requests.. I still get smokers but never once after that was added has there been an issue of anyone trying to smoke inside
Reply
"This is no pet - just my service dog." Or as we vegetarians hear often: "This is no meat, it's chicken."
Reply
No pet requests for months now. I even removed the "you can smoke on the deck" & changed it to "no smoking on the premises"; after finding numerous butts scattered on the ground.
Reply
I'm writing this in the main reply instead of a direct reply so I can add links and formatting:
There is a problem in the US and in California.. "Service Animals" have special rights... you can get service animal classification for an "emotional support" animal--which is odd, because this is what all animals provide.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act: 1.usa.gov/1ixJMXZ
"A service animal is not a pet. The ADA requires you to modify your "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability."
It's unclear as to whether or not offering a room in your home means you have to comply with "The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed."
Under San Francisco law, we're running businesses--private businesses that serve the public...so it *may* be that we have to allow "service animals".
The most frustrating part of the "service animal" regulations is that you're not legally allowed to ask for proof that the animal is a service animal.
specifically: "Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability."
So, you say, "I'll just charge a higher cleaning fee or deposit for the pet." aha.. well they're onto you as well:
"Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. "
So..what relief do we have... possibly this:
"You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others"
One can argue that offering a pet free household is done so that (which is my case--I love pets, but...) future guests with allergies can assume that they will be safe staying in this household.
Hotels are big enough to offer pet-stay rooms/floors so as to insure that areas of the hotel will be safe for those with allergies (a different disability).... it's hard to do in our individual homes, so this is where I hope I'm in compliance.
ADA covers the entirety of the United States, regardless of state laws. I'm guessing some countries have similar laws but may offer more exceptions.
Reply
We are not obligated to have service animals in private homes
Reply:
What Joseph said.
Reply:
Nothing is hard to understand about that. I find that many guests feel that hosts will make personal exceptions just for them because, well, of course they are "special." We just say that we'd be happy to host the guest who may ask about coming with their pets but tell them that they may not bring their pet with them as we don't allow guests to bring pets under any circumstances.
Reply
So first you have a rule saying "no pets." Then, for those who want to bully you around, claiming that they have a service animal and thus a right to bring pet dander into your home and make your home uninhabitable for those with allergies for the next few years, you add another rule, which says that all guests must declare in advance that they will be bringing an animal with them, and that those who bring an animal without notifying you in advance that they plan to do so, will be turned away at the door. ENd of story. Good riddance, goodbye. There are many places that will take pets. Find one of those for goshsakes!!