“Pets are part of the family, and just like bringing kids, we wants
guests to bring their pets,” says Cole Millen, operations director
at Delta Kananaskis. “There is a shift for hotels to go pet friendly,
and people expect it.”
Approximately 50 per cent of hotels in the mountain parks are
pet friendly. In the Kananaskis/Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise area,
expedia.ca lists 34 of 82 accommodators as pet friendly, and in
Yoho National Park, 11 of 25 have pet friendly rooms.
Millen says that although they have had cats, snakes and ferrets
as guests at the hotel, dogs are the most common pet companion.
On long weekends in particular, at least 10% of guests have a dog
staying with them at the hotel.
Many hotels offer a welcome package when dogs are booked in
advance. At the Delta, canine guests are greeted with an amenities
package including a dog bowl, treats, toy and dog bed. And
for guests worried about leaving the furkid unattended in a hotel
room, the front desk staff will dogsit, including regular walks, for
up to three hours. The program, which started in June 2012, donates
all proceeds to the Bow Valley SPCA, and in a five month
period, has generated more than $370.
Although being pet friendly is not a new approach for the Delta,
other accommodators in the mountain parks are adapting to the
demand for pet friendly accommodation and have only recently
welcomed pets.
Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff, Alberta has been pet friendly
for less than a year and has already doubled the number of pet
rooms they make available to guests.
“There is a segment of the market that wants to bring pets,” says
Martin Parkes, assistant lodge manager. “I was shocked how
quickly (the pet friendly concept) took off.”
Like many other hotels that offer pet amenities, Buffalo Mountain
Lodge is also initiating a dog-friendly welcome package, including
locally sourced elk dog treats from the same farm as the
meat they serve in the on-site restaurant.
Both Millen and Parkes support the pet friendly approach, but
they also say it’s important for pet owners to be responsible – not
only in the hotel, but outside as well.
“Being in a provincial park is a unique aspect,” says Millen. “It’s
important that pets are on leash. The last thing we would want to
see is a dog running after a squirrel or deer.”
Parkes agrees that the wildlife component is extremely important for
pet owners to be aware of. With the possibility of a guest opening the
door in the morning to find a deer on the lawn, it’s especially important
for pet owners to be aware that they are in a park with wildlife.
It is also important that pet owners take advantage of the services
and amenities available by booking their pets as a registered guest.
Although hotels charge a pet fee for the necessary cleaning that is
required, it notifies staff that a pet is in the room, and if there are any
issues, they can contact the owner directly.
Not all dogs are perfectly well behaved all the time, but Millen says
that shouldn’t prevent owners from bringing them to a hotel.
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This story will be published in our 2013 edition of Experience The Mountain Parks.
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“Don’t be embarrassed,” says Millen. “If your dog is a barker, ask for
help, assistance, support and suggestions.”
For the travellers more inclined to camp on their mountain holiday,
most campgrounds in the mountain parks permit pets to stay, but it
is wise to confirm with the campground when booking. Even more
so than hotel accommodation, wildlife awareness is important. Leaving
dog food out in the open, for example, can attract wildlife to the
campsite.
Leaving a beloved pet at home is a tough decision. Doggy daycare is
an option. Friends or family could look after him/her. A house-sitter
can make sure your dog is fed and has water.
Or bring your pet with you. Walk the trails, enjoy the snow or the sunshine,
breathe in the fresh air. With hotels opening their doors to our
furry friends, there is no decision to make. Your furkid will thank you.
[Furkid] Used to refer to a pet that is treated as though it were someone's child. |
|
~By Jen Lowery
Photo credits:
Top photo a submission to our 2012/2013 Photos and Videos Contest by Jason Nolan, "Cat Creek, Highwood Area, Kananaskis Country".
Bottom photo a submission to our 2012/2013 Photos and Videos Contest by Joanna Nemrava, "We made it! (Illecillewaet Glacier and Rogers Pass in the background)".
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