Pets at DVC

[Casey]

We love DVC and our pets. Are there any other DVCers who would like to take their pets with them? We're on the low end of points because we don't like leaving our golden retrievers for more than a few days. We would even pay a few more points per night for extra room maintenance if needed - although I bet DVCers would appreciate the opportunity and take good care of the rooms. WLV would be a great place where a dog walking area could be set back from the property.
We would buy more points if DVC would set aside a few "pet" rooms so that all our family could enjoy DVC. Would other pet owning DVCers buy more points? :)

[bres@westernMA]

We love our dogs, as a matter of fact we love all dogs (and cats for that matter) but they are inappropriate on vacation. I don't want to listen to a dog barking nor do I want to deal with poop whist on vacation.
Just my opinion......

[LindaDVC]

DH has a service dog so Ned comes along.

[Disnydad]

Leave the pets home please. We have a dog and he goes to the kennel (WDW trips) or the neighbors take care of him on short trips (local trips).

Don

[RoutemanDan]

...we have a dog and love him dearly,but I would not want to bring him on vacation.It wouldn't be a vacation if I had to stop what I was doing to go back and walk,feed,and spend time with him.I don't think it would be fair to pet free members nor the pet itself.Remember,your pet may be excellenty behaved at home,but put in a unfamiliar environment may very well make them become otherwise, and an annoyance to those trying to enjoy a peaceful vacation.
Just my .02¢

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[pinhopper]

I, too, love my pets, but would not bring them on a DVC vacation. Setting aside specially-designated rooms as "pet rooms" would, IMHO, complicate a lot of things:
- During high season, if no "pet families" were using these rooms, non-pet families might be assigned to them against their wishes.
- Sadly, a lot of people are mildly to highly allergic to pets. Their vacations would be profoundly affected if they were given these rooms.
- Cleanup time would probably be longer for these rooms. Even if the departing family's pet was impeccable accident-wise, there is still pet hair to be dealt with.
- Wear and tear on the rooms would probably be greater. Animals have more legs and longer claws than people, which will affect the carpeting. And imagine what might happen to furniture and walls on the frequent Florida rainy days when the dog comes inside from a walk!?!
- You may have the best intentions to leave a park at midday to return to your DVC unit to walk Rover, but the Disney transportation system can easily delay those good intentions!

As I said, I love my pets. But I firmly believe they are happiest being cared for in the familiar surroundings they live in -- at home. Just my two cents from under the soapbox! ;)

[PamOKW]

It's a nice thought that you'd like to bring your dogs along but, at least at OKW, dogs & golf courses don't mix very well.

[Tommy]

I'm alergic to animal hair...

DVC Hilton Head Member since 1997
My DVC Hilton Head Resort Page (http://www.members.tripod.com/~ttowery)

[Dean]

A couple of thoughts. First, you can't be allergic to animal hair, you can be allergic to animal dander. That means that a good cleaning and normal vacuuming will not be enough to clear the unit. Cats are worse than dogs and the cat dander is so small and sticky that people can become allergic just from being around friends at work or school that have cats.

We too love our pets and would love to take them on vacation. We appreciate and respect that DVC doesn't allow pets and some of the reasons why have been explained above. I just wanted to add that there's a hotel we normally stay at on the trip home. They have always allowed pets but now have stopped. I called them and asked about it and was told that the upkeep and maintenance was just too much. We nicely asked for an exception since we'd been staying there several times a year for a number (10) years but they said they could not.

Dean

[Debbie H]

The DVC is not a place for pets. Service animals of course are a must. We have 3 dogs and a cat. My oldest daughter is allergic to animal dander so therefore, we know exactly where the animals can go and where they can't. Also, she's developed an immunity, somewhat, to our animals, however, now she is married and when she comes here, it bothers her again.
Some people also don't care where their pets may deposit itself. How many times have you been out walking somewhere and seen it not picked up? Some think well, it's just a little piddle. I wouldn't want it! Period! Also, as far as most people taking care of the DVC, forget it. If you get really friendly and socialize with some of the cast members, most say that some of the owners are the worst! They got rid of the peanuts in the bar because some owners thought they could toss them all over the floor and make a big mess because after all "THEY WERE OWNERS". Don't kid yourself, most of us on this board are the minority of people who own and we all know better, hopefully.

Please, if you want to bring your pets, take them to the kennel at the transportation and ticket center or to Fort Wilderness Kennels. I hear they are nice.

DVC Member since '9

[This message was edited by Debbie H on 02-17-01 at 09:50 PM.]

[walter]

Unfortunately all pet owners are not respondsible.Therefore pets end up being a nuisance to other DVC'ers. We have pets but leave them home, for we are on vacation and are considerate of other DVC'ers who donot own animals. We visited VB not too long ago and a women had her dog on the second floor of the main building. I saw her later letting her dog do its "duty" outside the building (and not cleaning up afterwards). I thought this was very inconsiderate and wondered why the no pet restriction was not enforced.

[Margie J]

I truly love animals but do not want them around on vacation. Besides the wear and tear on the rooms and the potential allergy problem for other Members, there is the possible risk of injury to others if the pet decides to go "wacko" and attack someone or another pet.

Flying is risky to animals too, especially in the summer. Most are held in the baggage compartment and deaths have occured. Why put your pet in this circumstance if it can be avoided.

[dianeschlicht]

We are breeders and exhibitors of Airedale Terriers. Our first 4 trips to WDW were combined with trips to the January dog shows in the Tampa area. On those trips, we had to leave our dogs at the kennels in the TTC. or Wilderness, or each park entrance. It was not something we had a choice about, and we didn't mind taking breaks in the day to feed, water and excersise them. The issue is that WDW is not set up to offer complete boarding facilities like they are at your neighborhood kennel. After those first 4 trips, we started taking separate trips for dog shows and vacation. It was not fair to us or the dogs to try to combine them.

I would not like to see dogs kept in the DVC units. I have 9 dogs at home, but they don't belong in my WDW vacation home. Dogs are very flexible critters. So many times people put human thoughts and feelings into what dogs do and think, but those emotions are not within their realm. They won't cry (they can't), pine, or die of lonliness while you are on vacation. We board many dogs at our kennel while others travel. They all just act like normal dogs while they are here, and are very happy to see their owners when they return--nothing more, nothing less.

Disneydiane

[baileybrad]

Didn't vote in your poll due to an applicable choice, the choices were kind of limited. We have pets at home...that being said if there were pets at the DVC resorts, we would not have purchased. I avoid hotels/motels when I travel on the road that allow pets.

The only pet that I hope to ever hear about at a DVC resort is Shadow at HH. He/She is the best type of pet that there is...invisible. I am sure other folks feel differently but these forums are about expressing opinions. The exception to the pet rule would, of course, be guide animals.

[TinkerbellRules]

I've been trying to tell people that the WDW "so called kennels" are cages NOT kennels. No one seems to understand or believe me! I have a three yr old collie and couldn't stand to see her in that little cage 24/7! But, unfortunately, there is a small chance she may have to in Oct. She has been fighting an autoimmune disease (pemphigus) for a year and now has liver damage, we believe, from the meds. She's slowly improving on other meds and prescription food. We're hoping the liver will regenerate and "grow" back plus stop the scar tissue from forming. We took her to the campground with us in Oct (stayed in the camper) and she did wonderful. Always does. She's an exceptional dog though (and I'm not just saying that as a proud "mom" ;) But, I found it quite the "pain" to HAVE to go back and let her out during the day. Kind of missed up the touring plans, if you know what I mean. I love her dearly, but would have to consider the kennel she was in her at home (10x5 outside with a 10x5 inside run!) Plus, she'd have access to all her vets (allergist, internalist, and reg vet)!

Been there, done that, going back!

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[Peter Johnson]

We would have to say no too. We love our cats, but they're happier and safer left at home in the care of a pet sitter. We also would not want to be the next occupants of a room that had pets, nor watch out for pet "byproducts" around the resort.

Peter and Syl
DVC (OKW) '92, VB '95
Going to OKW May 19-30 and Dec 8-19 :)

[LooHoo]

In response to the issue of buying more points if animals were welcome, I think it would be a wonderful option for those of us who view our animals as members of our family. I would also like to explore a philosophical issue that Disney Diane brought up. DisneyDiane stated that animals don't have emotions, that "they won't cry, pine or die of loneliness..." I wouldn't presume to know the depth of an animal's capacity for emotion, (something tells me it's quite deep and powerful) but I have not only read about but experienced the emotional "intelligence" of animals.
"The day may come when the rest of the animal creation may acquire those rights which never could have been withholden from them but by the hand of tyranny...It may come one day to be recognized that the number of the legs, the villosity of the skin, or the termination of the os sacrum are reasons equally insufficient for abandoning a sensitive being to the same fate. What else is it that should trace the insuperable line? Is it the faculty of reason or, perhaps, the faculty of discourse? But a full-grown horse or dog is beyond comparison a more rational, as well as a more conversable animal, than an infant of a day, or a week, or even a month, old. But suppose the case were otherwise, what would it avail? The question is not, Can they reason? nor Can they talk? but Can they suffer?" Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832, English philosopher, economist and jurist)
just a thought to share with those who share their lives with animals...

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I also view my animals as members of my family, BUT, I do leave them at home on vacations, just like I occasionally did with my children (I also love them and think them members of my family :) ) But, please, no pets at DVC. Service animals excepted, of course. Remember, no matter how well we care for your pets, not everyone does, a lot simply don't care what they do. Who wants to even get into that? With the possible exception of the campground at Disney, no Disney resort allows pets (service animals, again, excepted). Let's not rock this boat.

Gail

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[dmadman43]

I understand than many consider their pets "part of the family" and would love nothing more than to include them in their travel plans. But, as many here before me have said, the downsides far outweigh the upsides. I would be very disappointed if DVC relented and started to allow pets.

And to LooHoo, while those thoughts are very noble, I must agree with Diane-- animals do not have the capacity to exhibit many emotions beyond fear and "happiness" (although I'm not sure it's quite that) - innate to most mammals : I've yet to see proof that animals have a sense of right and wrong. Until that happens, animals will have a hard time justifying being afforded "rights" (as defined by most of us). That's not to say I advocate cruelty or neglect. (Yea, I know...way...way off topic. Sorry PamOKW :) )

[fl]

Have you ever:
a) Walk around your inmediate neighborhood and steped on dog litter or smelled cat urine?
b) Awaken in the middle of the nite to dog barking or noisy cat fights?
c) Been afraid your todler being devoted by your neighbor "friendly" pitbull?
d) Asked if you have seen a "pet" snake lately?
e) All of the above.
Now imagine OKW being "changed" by one of this as a result of allowing owner pets. We love our cat deeply since he came to us in a time that we could not concive babies. Every time we go to WDW he is boarded in the FT kennel. Granted, it might not be a place to please everybody taste (you pay for a cage not a small house for your doggie) but at least he stay closest to us as posible (and sometime get to walk outside with the horses too). The contract we all signed clearly specify that the only pet allowed are service pets. Hopefully, the Disney "difference"
and high quality of service will keep it that way.

[Goofy's Mum]

We don't have dogs - we have four cats. Even if our babies were amenable to travel (alas, even a trip to the vet is a nightmare with one of them), I wouldn't bring them on vacation. I think the point of a vacation is to get away from the stresses of life, and believe me, pet ownership, for all its advantages, can be stressful. I don't have to worry about getting back to the room to feed them, I don't have to worry about anyone accidentally letting them out when the room is serviced, I don't have to worry about any diseases that might have been inadvertently spread by a previous visitor (yes, that can be a problem with cats - FIV, FEL, FIP, etc.), and I don't have to worry about any damage that they might inflict on the room.

Believe me, I would love to have animals with us all the time. Our cats often run our lives here at home, and I wouldn't change it for anything. Still, it is almost a relief at times that we can come and go as we please without worrying about them. Plus, by the end of our trip, we are ready, willing, and extremely anxious to get home to them, and they are just as happy to see us again. It often enhances our relationship - we are ready to be "parents" to our animals again, ready to hug and kiss and spoil them because we have had a chance to relax and recover from the stresses of life.

Just my opinion.

Susan and David (plus Noah, Abigail, Lydia and Jesse)

[Nickymouse]

I'm afraid I have to agree with the majority of you. I love dogs, but don't think that a DVC resort(or any resort for that matter) is the appropriate place for animals. Some dogs are very quiet and their owners do a good job of cleaning up their messes, but along with them, you will always have those who will abuse this privledge if it is granted.

[LooHoo]

While I would love the option of bringing my dog Seamus on vacation (I'm thoroughly convinced that he is a Disney character and that Michael Eisner would sign him on for a five year movie contract if he only met him), I certainly respect the "no pets" rule. What I was responding to earlier was the sentiment that some people were putting out there that animals don't have feelings and are not worthy of rights due to their lack of ability to distinguish between right and wrong. While this is a huge philosophical discussion that certainly warrants our attention, we've strayed a bit from the original post. But while I'm here, I do wish that our collective consciousness would embrace the idea that all living things are worthy of our compassion and respect. To follow the logic of an earlier post, that rights should only be afforded to those who can distinguish between right and wrong, would most certainly neglect a huge segment of our population - those with Alzheimer's or developmental disabilities, for example.
To return to a lighter note, I must agree with Goofy's Mum and the notion that the kitties are happier at home. My persians have not yet developed a yen for domestic or international travel (I think Angus would love Scotland, though)It is also interesting to note that many European B&Bs and upscale hotels welcome pets... just a different sensibility I guess. Perhaps one day, when cats inherit the earth, they will insist that we all just take naps and play with catnip mice.
Oh, and just a legal question. My dog signed the DVC contract, but it comes out of my account. If he signed it and I'm paying for it, who technically has right of ownership?

[dmadman43]

LooHoo,

I did concede that pets are worthy of respect and care and should not be subject to cruelty. Which, I think supports the argument that they are better off staying back 'home' while their 'owners' are on vacation, as they would not be afforded the same level of care during a vacation to WDW. But that concept is different from "animal rights"

If animals have rights, then what gives us the right to enslave them as pets, or use them for our own selfish purposes, no matter how necessary we think that use or how humanely we assert we do it to them? ;)

[LooHoo]

Hi dmadman43,

I think we will be banished to the debate board if we continue this interesting discussion! But to respond to your thoughts - properly caring for domestic animals is not an act of enslavement, as they are dependent on us for their survival. Zoos, circuses, laboratories, etc. are an entirely different story, though.

So where's the best coffee in Seattle?

[spiceycat]

TinkerbellRules - I know the kennels at WDW have runs - my cat walks close enough to them to get the dogs upsets. Have you asked to have your dog there? Many owners want their pets inside the building, so they do not want the runs (they are outside). When Spicey is there we use the one at Epcot did use the one at FW but they did away with the small animals room there. Not only cats were kept here. Anyway I make a pest of myself - I generally go between 3 and 6 times - but he is my baby (don't have children) and I have had him for 15 years. He loves it - all the new smells and different animals - loves to chase the lizards, squirrels, birds, insects, bunnies and anything else that crosses his path. He is on a leash so he can't catch anything - so don't get upset. He does not like the horses or the deers (too big and smell to different) - but everything else he loves as much as I do. He even loves being in the kennel. When I have to leave he generally gets in the cage all by himself, this use to bother the workers but after the first time they get used to it. But my sister in law has a trouble with animals, so I can see the other problem too.

[pentex]

I am a huge animal lover but I'm agreeing with the folks here. If it could be ascertained that all pet owners would be responsible, that would be great but that could never be.

One time in OKW, the person staying above us did sneak in a dog. He sounded like a little one from the sound of his never-ending yipping bark. The people would go out to the parks and leave him there to bark. We didn't complain but the neighbors next to us told us they did, and then doggie had to go to the kennels.

But I think this shows how pets can pose a problem. If this was a bonafide "pet" room, the people would have resisted moving the dog, I'm sure.

[Galahad]

We have never used the kennels at WDW. Some of the posts here imply that they aren't really kennels. How do they work? Can pets be left there overnight? It sounds like walking/feeding during the day is the owner's responsibility? What is the cost? Thanks!

[TnRobin]

At the request of the original poster, I am locking this thread.

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