Vacation planning can be a challenge for dog owners. From the high cost of boarding to the stress incurred by owners and pets alike, leaving your furry friend with a stranger isn’t always the right option. However, if you’d prefer to bring Fido along on your vacation, you’re in luck. Because today, many major timeshare brands are pet-friendly! There are numerous benefits to owning a timeshare at a pet-friendly resort. These resorts offer stress-free lodging for the whole family, including your pet. In addition to pet-friendly accommodations, they sometimes feature amenities like dog parks, walking trails, and even doggy daycare centers onsite or nearby. Read on to learn more about pet-friendly timeshares and how to buy or rent one for less with Timeshares Only!
- Tips When You Vacation With Your Pet
- Learn More
- 1. Make Sure Your Pet Has a Micro-Chip
- 2. Planning Ahead is Key
- 3. Know Before You Go
- 4. When You Arrive at Your Pet-Friendly Timeshare
- 5. Be Courteous to Other Guests at Your Pet-Friendly Timeshare Resort
- 6. If You Need to Leave Your Pet Alone, Let the Front Desk Know
- 7. Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals
- Top Pet-Friendly Timeshare Resorts
- Pet-Friendly Resorts on RCI
- Interval International Dog-Friendly Resorts
- Pet-Friendly Timeshares for Sale & Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
Tips When You Vacation With Your Pet
As you think about the right pet-friendly timeshare vacation for your family, consider your pet’s needs, too. Not everyone’s animals are the same. While one resort may be great for small dogs, it may be too small for larger breeds. Keep in mind that not all pet-friendly timeshare resorts will accommodate pets over a certain weight and size. When you’re planning your vacation with your pet, make sure the resort will also be able to accommodate your dog if they are a medium to large breed.
If you are purchasing a timeshare with the intent to also bring your pet along for years to come, consider buying a Home resort that’s pet-friendly and takes the stress out of family holidays. A pet-friendly timeshare can be the solution that makes everyone happy, including your furry family member. Most pet-friendly timeshare resorts are large and have great walking trails and space to play. Plus, villas commonly have multiple bedrooms with spacious living room areas.
1. Make Sure Your Pet Has a Micro-Chip
Even though we don’t like to think about it, something could go wrong and your pet could get lost! In addition to having a microchip, always make sure your pet is wearing proper identification. It’s also a good idea to make a temporary tag with the dates and locations where you’ll be staying on your vacation.
2. Planning Ahead is Key
Always make sure you have plenty of food and water on hand. Four hours before the trip, feed and water your pet.
3. Know Before You Go
Before you leave for your vacation, take your pet to the veterinarian for a quick check-up. Believe it or not, pets can also get car-sick, sea-sick, and super stressed out during long trips. Your vet may be able to prescribe some medication to make your pet more comfortable during your upcoming travels.
Keep in mind that although some timeshare resorts are pet-friendly, almost all of them require an unattended pet to be crated in your suite or villa. A few weeks before your trip, make sure to leave the cage or carrier out in the open to let your pet get used to it if they aren’t already.
If you are traveling by airplane, always make sure you keep an eye on the weather where you are traveling to. The airlines will not allow any pets in cargo if the touchdown location is colder than 45 degrees or hotter than 85 degrees. If you are flying to a hot, tropical location, schedule a flight for nighttime. Or, if you are visiting somewhere cold, pick a flight during the day.
If you let your pet on the furniture at home, make sure to bring a sheet or blanket to cover the bed so they don’t ruin the bedspread while making themselves at home. Also, use the resort’s towels or extra sheets to cover any chairs or window seats.
4. When You Arrive at Your Pet-Friendly Timeshare
When you arrive at your pet-friendly resort and check in, ask the front desk or staff if there are any animal-friendly amenities around the area. They might have some great suggestions for pet-friendly restaurants with outside seating or nearby dog parks to get some energy out!
5. Be Courteous to Other Guests at Your Pet-Friendly Timeshare Resort
We all love and cherish our pets more than anything, but not all people are animal lovers! Strangers may have less patience for a barking dog on vacation, or for owners who don’t pick up after their pet.
6. If You Need to Leave Your Pet Alone, Let the Front Desk Know
If you need to leave your pet alone in your timeshare for any reason, make sure to crate them and place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. Give the front desk your cell phone number in case of any emergency or disturbance. Most timeshare resort rooms aren’t cleaned every day.
7. Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals
Is your pet a registered service animal? Per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), timeshare resorts, like other public accommodations, must allow service animals to accompany their owners in their units and all common spaces, including pool areas, dining spaces, lounges, and anywhere else owners and guests are allowed to go.
If you own an emotional support animal, check with your resort to confirm you are allowed to bring them along. While timeshare resorts are not required by law to permit emotional support animals, some resorts have ESA-friendly policies.
Top Pet-Friendly Timeshare Resorts
Some pet-friendly vacation spots are located within Westgate, Marriott, and Hilton resorts. While some resorts consider themselves pet-friendly, this could mean a couple of things. Pets may be allowed in rooms but not common areas, or they may be allowed in both. Additionally, it could just mean that the resort has an onsite kennel for your fluff ball. Before your trip, be sure to call the resort directly for the most up-to-date pet policies. Similar to hotels, some timeshare resorts might have breed restrictions and weight limits.
Westgate Resorts General Pet Policy
Just about every Westgate property is a pet-friendly timeshare. Up to two dogs are allowed per room, and there is a mandatory cleaning fee of $100. If you will be bringing one dog during your stay at a pet-friendly Westgate timeshare, they must be under 60 pounds. If you will be bringing two dogs with you, their combined weight must be under 60 pounds.
During your stay, your dog must be supervised by you or another guest at all times or crated when you are away. Westgate Resorts also does not allow dogs in public areas of their properties, including restaurants, spas, pool areas, casinos, etc.
Top Pet-Friendly Westgate Resorts:
- Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa in Orlando, Florida
- Westgate Town Center Resort in Kissimmee, Florida
Four Seasons Residence Club General Pet Policy
Four Seasons Residence Club is one of the most luxurious vacation clubs with top-notch amenities and accommodations, and their resorts are pet-friendly! All six Four Seasons Residence Club locations allow pets up to 25 pounds at no additional cost or fee. If you are an owner of Marriott Vacation Club, this is great news if you plan on spending your points at an affiliated Four Seasons resort.
Browse available pet-friendly timeshares with Four Seasons now:
- Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale At Troon North
- Four Seasons Residence Club, Aviara in Carlsbad, California
Pet-Friendly Resorts on RCI
One of the best parts of owning a timeshare is exchanging it on timeshare exchange platforms like RCI or Interval International. RCI certainly has several properties you can trade for that allow guests to bring their pets along! As we mentioned before, almost all of Westgate Resorts’ properties are pet-friendly, and Westgate is affiliated with RCI.
Top Pet-Friendly Resorts on RCI:
- Berkshire Mountain Lodge in Pittsfield, Massachusetts*
- Westgate Branson Lakes in Hollister, Missouri
- Grandview Lodge at Fall Creek Falls in Spencer, Tennessee*
- Vacation Village at Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia*
Properties with a (*) are noted for being one of the RCI Gold Crown Resorts. RCI Gold Crown properties have significant positive ratings from pet owners and members alike who have traded and stayed at the property.
Interval International Dog-Friendly Resorts
If your ownership is not affiliated with RCI, don’t worry, because Interval International also offers top-rated resorts that are dog-friendly. Simply deposit your ownership when you become a member to start trading and bring your pet along with you on your next vacation!
Interval International Resorts You Can Take Your Furry Friends To:
- Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Spa in Tennessee
- David Walley’s Resort in Genoa, Nevada
- The Bay Club in Ocean City, Maryland
- Rangeley Lake Resort in Rangeley, Maine
- Club Casa Dorada At Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Pet-Friendly Timeshares for Sale & Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals
Pet-friendly timeshares understand your desire to have your four-legged friends close by. Come discover new adventures with your pet as you explore new sights and sounds together. Hopefully, these helpful pet-friendly vacation tips will allow you to fully relax and enjoy your vacation with ALL of your family members! So, browse our resale marketplace at the link below to find pet-friendly timeshares for less. Or, explore our extensive selection of pet-friendly timeshares for rent and try before you buy! Have questions? Call 1-800-610-2734 or email us at [email protected] to speak with a representative!
