How to Market Your Short Term Rental to Pet Owners
Simply put, when you offer a pet-friendly vacation rental, you’re likely to see your bookings increase. These properties are harder to come by and highly sought after, so if you’re in a position to leverage this as an amenity, we recommend doing so. Here are some tips and insights into making and marketing your short term rental as a pet-friendly accommodation.
The long and short of the matter is that pet travel offers a big business opportunity. Let’s look at some glaring market statistics, according to MarketWatch:
The global pet travel services market was valued at approximately USD 1.64 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 9.63% over the forecast period of 2022-2029.
According to a 2021 survey by the American Pet Products Association, there are 69 million dog-owning households in the United States.
Approximately 90.5 million households in the United States, or 70%, have pets, according to the APPA Survey 2021-2022; this means that pet-friendly traveling services & rentals are creating a lucrative growth to the market.
Further, Airbnb reported that searches using their ‘Allow Pets’ filter leapt by 65% compared to the previous year. What does this mean for the short term rental market? Is it worth making your property pet-friendly? Data suggests that pet-friendly rentals enjoy increased earning potential, more bookings and longer stays.
Tips for Pet-Proofing & Optimizing Your STR for Furry Visitors
So, how can you ensure that your investment remains in-tact if you opt to move forward with allowing pets? Here are some tips for pet-proofing and optimizing your STR for our four-legged friends:
Write out / detail specific policies you have for guests with pets
Relocate delicate or edible items to higher surface so they’re out of reach for the average canine
Consider purchasing furniture covers to add an additional layer of protection and ensure they’re machine-washable
Replace carpeting with stain- and scratch-resistant flooring (tile, stone, laminate and vinyl are good options)
Set boundaries; i.e. invest in some indoor gates so that pets stay in common living spaces rather than bedrooms or other private rooms
If you have a yard, ensure that it’s fenced-in for safety reasons as well as for pet pleasure
Be prepared for minimal damage (i.e. accidents and potential wear and tear); collect a small deposit should anything become broken or unusable
Equip your short term rental with various cleaning products
If you want to go the extra mile, stock up on chew toys, treats, food bowls, waste bags, dog wipes, pet towels and dog beds
Leave a list of dog-friendly locations for your guests (off-leash areas, dog-friendly beaches and restaurants etc.)
Include a directory of pet resources, including: dog walking services, doggy day care centers, local veterinarian information, pet hospitals etc.
Update your STR listing
When you offer an amenity like this, you increase your prospect of receiving repeat business and loyal guests. Word of mouth can go a long way in the pet community, so if you market your STR properly by highlighting its unique and highly sought after features, you’re likely to see a substantial increase in your bookings. Here are a few tips for optimizing your listing:
Add pet-friendly to the listing title (i.e. “Pet-friendly beach cottage with an ocean view”)
Ensure the pet-friendly option has been selected on booking sites / engines
Include images that highlight your pet-friendliness (i.e. dog beds, pet supplies)
Specify which animals and how many you allow on your property
Add pet policies to your house rules so that owners are clear on expectations from the get-go
Lastly, take advantage of the spaces that enable you to market directly to pet owners. Identify with niche pet owner sites, network with travel and pet bloggers, encourage past guests to share and tag you in photos with their pets on your social media platforms, and highlight 5-star reviews from guests who have stayed at your property with their pets. After all, it’s a pet’s world and we’re just living in it!