New Research Shows Half of Dog Owners Struggle to Find Pet Friendly Accommodation for Holidays
This Dog Friendly Ireland Day we're sharing tips so holiday accommodation can improve stays for dogs & their families
Dog owners are struggling to holiday with their furry friends, according to our latest research.
A recent survey we carried out found that four out of five dog owners would bring their dog on holiday in Ireland if the destination was dog friendly. However, further research showed that, almost half of dog owners who did bring their dog on holiday found it difficult to find somewhere to stay. And for those who did not go on holiday, almost two-thirds said it was because they could not find suitable accommodation, while one in ten found it too expensive.
The new data has been released to coincide with our seventh national ‘Dog Friendly Ireland Day’ (21 June). Our Dog Friendly Ireland campaign aims to make Ireland more accessible to dogs and the people who love them. As part of our initiative, we have added tips to our website for how hotels and holiday accommodations can improve dog owners' experiences.
My dog Elfie and I love to go on adventures around Ireland together, but it takes weeks of research and planning to ensure we can enjoy the break. Finding dog friendly accommodation is only part of the problem, as I also need to ensure there are places to eat where Elfie will be welcome. We’ve stayed in properties where she couldn't be left alone even for short periods, but also wasn’t allowed into the bar, restaurant or common areas. I think small adjustments by hotels and holiday accommodation could go a long way toward dogs and their families having a much more enjoyable stay. We’d love to see more places opening their doors to well behaved dogs, so more families can enjoy breaks away with their pets in Ireland.
Sinead Heffernan, A regular dog friendly holiday-goer.
We are calling on owners of holiday accommodations to take some simple steps to make stays more appealing for families with dogs.
We are delighted to see so many people wanting to include their dog on their holidays but understand the frustrations when they are unable to find somewhere suitable. Over two-thirds of respondents to our survey said they chose the accommodation simply because it was dog friendly rather than because they really liked it, showing there simply isn’t enough variety available. An overwhelming number of people also said simple things like having somewhere convenient for their dog to toilet with dog waste bins, or somewhere indoors to eat with their dog was lacking in many places. We feel that lots of holiday accommodations could ensure new or repeat business from families with dogs by implementing some of the simple suggestions we’re providing.
Melanie Kevelighan, PR & Communications Officer
This Dog Friendly Ireland Day, we are also encouraging the dog loving public to show their support for the campaign by sharing pictures of their dogs on holiday to social media and using the hashtag #DogFriendlyIrelandDay.
Go to DogsTrust.ie/DogFriendlyIrelandDay to find the tips we are sharing for holiday accommodation owners.
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