Over the past several years, an emerging contingent of apartment operators have grown to understand the importance of elevating pet-friendliness. Those on the cutting edge have reaped the benefits in the form of higher renewal rates, a pet-responsible atmosphere, and properties that are more appealing to a wider pool of potential renters.
While this initiative has largely taken place within the traditional apartment sector, additional forms of rental housing can undoubtedly benefit from forward-thinking pet policies. Among them are short-term rentals, or vacation rentals, which often lack clear and formal policies that help to reduce liability risk and ensure all renters formally acknowledge a property’s pet-related rules.
Naturally, short-term rentals are a bit more nuanced than traditional apartment living because residents are amid a temporary stay, sometimes only days at a time. As such, pet policies and processes must be tailored accordingly.
Here is a look at what short-term rental operators should consider from a pet-management perspective:
Evaluate Pets and Assistance Animals Ahead of Time
As with traditional apartments, being pet-friendly also comes with some liability risk. One way to mitigate that risk is to vet pets and owners prior to their short-term visit, which can help uncover any previous incidents. Tools are available to assess the risk associated with each pet, including bite and behavioral histories. Prospective short-term renters can also submit key details such as breed, weight, and vaccination records—as well as formally acknowledge a short-term rental community’s pet guidelines—prior to their stay, which provides the owner with plenty of information when determining whether to approve the pet.
Resources are also available to handle the evaluation of reasonable accommodation requests for service animals and emotional support animals, including the verification of any accompanying documents. Understanding the federal assistance animal guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Department of Housing and Urban Development for both short-term and long-term rentals can sometimes be confusing and convoluted. Applying the right assistance animal review standard to the right type of housing is incredibly important.
Ensure Pet Policies Are Easily Accessible
Lease agreements sometimes are not as extensive at short-term rentals, where the stays are much quicker. Clear and comprehensive pet policies are often among the missing pieces.
Short-term rentals should have a platform to ensure that all pet fees are collected up front and to ensure all relevant information—including vaccination records and the other items mentioned above—is submitted prior to arrival. This also provides a chance for owners to provide any property-specific rules (such as no pets allowed from outside visitors) so no surprises occur upon arrival. If rules are formally acknowledged, this covers the owner from a liability perspective if there is an incident with an unauthorized visiting pet. Owners also can utilize the technology to report pet damage or bite incidents, data that follows the resident and pet for future properties to consider.
As part of the effort for clear and easily accessible policies, owners can leave reminders for any in-house rules at particular properties. For instance, beds, couches, or certain portions of the property might be off limits to pets. A lighthearted sign that reads something like “Paws off, please” can help visitors remain compliant during their stay.
Create a Welcoming Environment for the Pet Visitor
More than ever, pets have become companions on vacations and other getaways. According to the American Pet Products Association, 78% of U.S. pet owners travel with their pets each year. In summer 2023, Airbnb saw a nearly 50% increase in bookings with pets when compared with the prior year. This emerging trend increases the odds that pets will accompany a short-term renter, even if the stay is ultrashort.
To prepare for the ever-prevalent pet-owning visitor, short-term rentals can take steps such as offering pet-waste stations, providing a fenced yard when possible, and supplying pet-friendly covers for beds and furniture. While most pet-friendliness is geared toward dogs, cats often serve as travel companions, as well. Features such as secure screens to prevent easy escape routes help accommodate the feline visitor.
Owners can expand on the hospitality effort by creating a welcome kit for pets, which can consist of food and water bowls, chew toys, treats, and additional pet-centric items. Owners also should provide easily accessible information about nearby pet parks, pet-friendly restaurants, and local veterinarians or emergency services.
A Growing Opportunity
According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent $152 billion on their pets in 2024 and are projected to spend another $157 billion in 2025. Some of those costs undoubtedly include pet travel. Short-term rentals are bound to experience the boom even more profoundly in the coming years and should be ready to embrace it rather than resist it.
By evaluating pets and owners ahead of time, creating clear, forward-thinking pet policies, and taking efforts to prepare for pet-owning visitors, short-term rental operators can remain ahead of the curve and make their properties more attractive for this on-the-rise segment of renters.
