Dogs in the units???

[JimC]

Not allowed on property at all.

One of the resorts I own at has had a real problem with people taking pets and saying they were service animals when they were not. For this reason they've passed a rule requiring advanced notice, cleaning deposit and liability with fines.

Have they been able to successfully sustain a legal challenge to those restrictions as they are contrary to ADA.

 

[JMLBrats]

So would you propose that this be a specific booking catagory? I don't see any way that could be facilitated in resorts like the DVC ones that strive for being completely booked at all times. I would think if they did this, it would need to be not only a seperate booking catagory, but even a seperate membership catagory....heck maybe a seperate resort. I show dogs and I travel to dog shows and stay in many hotels that do allow dogs. Do I take them up to the room? NO! First of all, most hotels that allow dogs only allow them in smoking rooms. I can't tolerate a smoking room, so I leave the dogs in their kennels in the van or I leave them at the dog show where their environment is climate controlled if that is necessary. I do NOT think there should be any exceptions to allowing pets in DVC or any other timeshare for that matter. Remember, you are NOT the ONLY one who owns it, and it could be a severe health issue for some other owners....Just as smoking is.

FYI, I also own a kennel, and I can tell you that most dogs LOVE coming to the kennel when their owners vacation. It's like thier spa trip too. I don't think it is fair to anyone to take a pet on vacation and expect it to stay with you. Certainly, the pet can't come to the parks, so it's going to sit all day alone in the unit???? I don't think so.

I hadn't really thought this out too much, it was just a thought. but I suppose that if there was a place on WDW that allowed dogs it would have to be a totally seperate resort just because of the barking alone. I was telling DH about this and he thought it would be really cool to have a DVC dog resort-it could have huge fenced in running areas and provide day care for those days people want to have long days in the parks and it could have a vet on the premises. I'm sure this will never come to be because the maintenance fees would have to be so high, but we thought it was a cool idea!

 

[BroganMc]

I was telling DH about this and he thought it would be really cool to have a DVC dog resort-it could have huge fenced in running areas and provide day care for those days people want to have long days in the parks and it could have a vet on the premises. I'm sure this will never come to be because the maintenance fees would have to be so high, but we thought it was a cool idea!

We'd nickname it "The Canine Campus". It could have 101 Dalmations as the theme. Perhaps be like that place the couple ends up in at the end of the live action version of the movie... the English country estate with acres and acres for all the doggies. Naysayers would get the moniker of Cruella.

 

[JMLBrats]

We'd nickname it "The Canine Campus". It could have 101 Dalmations as the theme. Perhaps be like that place the couple ends up in at the end of the live action version of the movie... the English country estate with acres and acres for all the doggies. Naysayers would get the moniker of Cruella.

Luv it!

 

[greenban]

err....This is not the first time I've come across a post about frogs in the units!! I'm not used to all of this "wildlife"! Are bugs and frogs common at DVC resorts?? Is it the humidity??

You are traveling to see a Rodent and his animal friends, Duck, Dog, Mouse-ette, and a Goof. So just consider the froggies, lizzards, snakes, aligators and very assorted buggies as extra CMs!

-Tony

 

[greenban]

Not allowed on property at all.

One of the resorts I own at has had a real problem with people taking pets and saying they were service animals when they were not. For this reason they've passed a rule requiring advanced notice, cleaning deposit and liability with fines.

All of which violate the Federal ADA mandate/act. Jim's link above is a mandate. A propriator may not even request proof of training, or service animal certification prior to admission. They may not require a deposit.

This is an area ripe for abuse.

CUT & PASTE COPY OF SERVICE GUIDE DOCUMENT, Emphasis Added by myself.
July 26, 1996


The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Association of Attorneys General have formed a Disability Rights Task Force to promote and protect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

We have found that many businesses across the country have prohibited individuals with disabilities who use service animals from entering their premises, in many instances because of ignorance or confusion about the animal's appropriate use. This document provides specific information about the legal requirements regarding individuals with disabilities who use service animals. It was prepared by the Task Force to assist businesses in complying voluntarily with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state laws.

Twenty-four state attorneys general* are distributing a similar document (including state specific requirements) to associations representing restaurants, hotels and motels, and retailers for dissemination to their members.

We encourage you to share this document with businesses and people with disabilities and their families in your community.



Deval L. Patrick Scott Harshbarger
Assistant Attorney GeneralAttorney General
Civil Rights DivisionState of Massachusetts;
U.S. Department of JusticePresident, National Association of Attorneys General




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS
IN PLACES OF BUSINESS
Q: What are the laws that apply to my business?

A: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.

Q: What is a service animal?

A: The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. "Seeing eye dogs" are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:

_____Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.

_____ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.

_____Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.


Q: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?

A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability.

Q: What must I do when an individual with a service animal comes to my business?

A: The service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers.

Q: I have always had a clearly posted "no pets" policy at my establishment. Do I still have to allow service animals in?

A: Yes. A service animal is not a pet. The ADA requires you to modify your "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability. This does not mean you must abandon your "no pets" policy altogether but simply that you must make an exception to your general rule for service animals.

Q: My county health department has told me that only a seeing eye or guide dog has to be admitted. If I follow those regulations, am I violating the ADA?

A: Yes, if you refuse to admit any other type of service animal on the basis of local health department regulations or other state or local laws. The ADA provides greater protection for individuals with disabilities and so it takes priority over the local or state laws or regulations.

Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?

A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.

Q: I operate a private taxicab and I don't want animals in my taxi; they smell, shed hair and sometimes have "accidents." Am I violating the ADA if I refuse to pick up someone with a service animal?

A: Yes. Taxicab companies may not refuse to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Private taxicab companies are also prohibited from charging higher fares or fees for transporting individuals with disabilities and their service animals than they charge to other persons for the same or equivalent service.


Q: Am I responsible for the animal while the person with a disability is in my business?

A: No. The care or supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of his or her owner. You are not required to provide care or food or a special location for the animal.

Q: What if a service animal barks or growls at other people, or otherwise acts out of control?

A: You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded. You may not make assumptions, however, about how a particular animal is likely to behave based on your past experience with other animals. Each situation must be considered individually.

Although a public accommodation may exclude any service animal that is out of control, it should give the individual with a disability who uses the service animal the option of continuing to enjoy its goods and services without having the service animal on the premises.

Q: Can I exclude an animal that doesn't really seem dangerous but is disruptive to my business?

A: There may be a few circumstances when a public accommodation is not required to accommodate a service animal--that is, when doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the nature of the business. Generally, this is not likely to occur in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities. But when it does, for example, when a dog barks during a movie, the animal can be excluded.


If you have further questions about service animals or other requirements of the ADA, you may call the U.S. Department of Justice's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or
800-514-0383 (TDD).


DUPLICATION OF THIS DOCUMENT IS ENCOURAGED.


7/96






http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/animal.htm <==== Link to Original Document

-Tony

 

[castleri]

I hadn't really thought this out too much, it was just a thought. but I suppose that if there was a place on WDW that allowed dogs it would have to be a totally seperate resort just because of the barking alone. I was telling DH about this and he thought it would be really cool to have a DVC dog resort-it could have huge fenced in running areas and provide day care for those days people want to have long days in the parks and it could have a vet on the premises. I'm sure this will never come to be because the maintenance fees would have to be so high, but we thought it was a cool idea!

Maybe some of the value view areas at AKV could be converted to new "doggie" savannahs. They just need to be completely separated from any of the other ones so the barking wouldn't bother the "wild" animals. It might require some extra soundproofing in those rooms that would overlook that savannah also. Vet costs could be shared with the lodge. Just adding to your thoughts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, Tony and JimC, that's an eyeopener. I didn't know we had a "kinder, gentler" American government.

I have seen children in wheelchairs at WDW either holding or having a dog tied or standing close to the wheelchairs. Not all the dogs had vests on, and I wondered why...now I know, not needed.

But still..no proof at all needed, oh my, that seems ripe for abuse.

Bobbi

PS. I've thought of taking my dogs on vacation with me, but I think they're happiest in surroundings that they know, and they've stayed at the kennel over a long enough period of time, that they recognize the owners and expect to be petted and taken care of by them.

 

[robinb]

I think that this is another one of those instances, like healthy people with GACs, where people can abuse the system. People are always looking for loop holes and being able to "game the system" to do what they want. And you know what ... I simply don't care if they do. I would rather have the existing ADA rules in place to make it easier for those people who truly need the help of a service dog. If I see a dog, I will assume that it is a service animal and give the owner the benefit of the doubt. Understanding and compassion cost me nothing.

BTW, here is an interesting post from late December about someone with a tiny service dog: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1299319

 

[donmil723]

BTW, here is an interesting post from late December about someone with a tiny service dog: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1299319

Thanks for the link! I really didn't know that a tiny dog could be a service dog! I'm glad I kept my thoughts to myself while at VWL last week when I saw the lady with the chihauhau even if I didn't notice any service dog identification.

Donna

 

[bobbiwoz]

Alright, now, what about people with dog allergies...what sort of precautions are taken when a service dog checks out of a villa?

Bobbi

 

[JMLBrats]

Maybe some of the value view areas at AKV could be converted to new "doggie" savannahs. They just need to be completely separated from any of the other ones so the barking wouldn't bother the "wild" animals. It might require some extra soundproofing in those rooms that would overlook that savannah also. Vet costs could be shared with the lodge. Just adding to your thoughts.

Sounds good to me, but I think we need to have another thread about this discussion, we are definetly in the minority here....

 

[JodyTG]

Alright, now, what about people with dog allergies...what sort of precautions are taken when a service dog checks out of a villa?

Bobbi

Exactly what I was wondering, Bobbi.

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

So would you propose that this be a specific booking catagory? I don't see any way that could be facilitated in resorts like the DVC ones that strive for being completely booked at all times. I would think if they did this, it would need to be not only a seperate booking catagory, but even a seperate membership catagory....heck maybe a seperate resort. I show dogs and I travel to dog shows and stay in many hotels that do allow dogs. Do I take them up to the room? NO! First of all, most hotels that allow dogs only allow them in smoking rooms. I can't tolerate a smoking room, so I leave the dogs in their kennels in the van or I leave them at the dog show where their environment is climate controlled if that is necessary. I do NOT think there should be any exceptions to allowing pets in DVC or any other timeshare for that matter. Remember, you are NOT the ONLY one who owns it, and it could be a severe health issue for some other owners....Just as smoking is.

FYI, I also own a kennel, and I can tell you that most dogs LOVE coming to the kennel when their owners vacation. It's like thier spa trip too. I don't think it is fair to anyone to take a pet on vacation and expect it to stay with you. Certainly, the pet can't come to the parks, so it's going to sit all day alone in the unit???? I don't think so.

Diane,

I know that we never got a chance to meet when I lived in Savage and you were in Prior Lake, but where is your Kennel? What types of dogs do you show? I have always kenneled my dogs when I travel and would have love to have given you the $$$$ when I was going to WDW in the past.

But alas, I am no longer in Minnesota......

-Edward

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

The ADA document is very informative.

I also wonder about proper cleaning of a room after a service animal was present. Would DVC or the Reosrt front desk even know that a pet was present? What if one of those posters who spoke of their allergies were the next to check into that same room? Who would be liable?

My son has a peanut allergy, I take this very seriously. I know how sensitive he is, and he has to actually ingest not just inhale as some. There has to some level of Health Standards for this, that do not impact people who need a service animal.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane,

I know that we never got a chance to meet when I lived in Savage and you were in Prior Lake, but where is your Kennel? What types of dogs do you show? I have always kenneled my dogs when I travel and would have love to have given you the $$$$ when I was going to WDW in the past.

But alas, I am no longer in Minnesota......

-Edward

When we were in Prior Lake/Savage (we always lived in the same place, but the address changed), we were right where 150th street and Louisiana Ave intersect. Now we are about 1.7 miles off the freeway down near the Elko Speedway.

 

[MarieA]

Alright, now, what about people with dog allergies...what sort of precautions are taken when a service dog checks out of a villa?

Bobbi

I'm wondering too since I am one of those people with severe dog allergies. (Asthma and Hives). I love dogs but cannot be in a room with them for more than 15 minutes and have to wash my hands right away if I pet one. I definitely cannot stay in a room where a dog has been.

 

[Dean]

Have they been able to successfully sustain a legal challenge to those restrictions as they are contrary to ADA.

Timeshares come under the same rules as Condo's and not hotels or businesses but I don't know of any legal challenges and I think I'd know if it had happened. The wording was specifically supplied by Marriott corporate lawyers.

 

[elijahpep]

We love our little dog, but would never bring her to WDW and break any rules.

IT would however be nice if the DVC resorts offered on site kennels for DVC owners. This would be a great advantage to pet owners of DVC and would make it conciderably easier to walk the pets. There would obviously have to be
charges like the other kennels (Epcot,etc) so as to not disadvantage the other non pet members. To make this work and keep the dogs out of the rooms (protecting those with alergies). There would be a specific area where the pets wouldn't be able to leave until check out.

Just a thought....

~DW

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love our little dog, but would never bring her to WDW and break any rules.

IT would however be nice if the DVC resorts offered on site kennels for DVC owners. This would be a great advantage to pet owners of DVC and would make it conciderably easier to walk the pets. There would obviously have to be
charges like the other kennels (Epcot,etc) so as to not disadvantage the other non pet members. To make this work and keep the dogs out of the rooms (protecting those with alergies). There would be a specific area where the pets wouldn't be able to leave until check out.

Just a thought....

~DW

Actually, that idea has merit, but I would expect it to be self sustaining and not be a maintenance cost to all DVC owners, but just those using the facility. I reality though, we already have this with the kennels at the parks.