PET care directly at RV site...Just a thought

[snocrossmechanic]

I have heard the kennels have started to offer more services yet we pet owners seem to be coming back an forth to take care of our pets and let them out during the day.

Back here at home I hire a service that comes to my home and takes care of the pets. They let them out three times a day for 30min to an hour each time, play with them, walk them, and feed them. The dogs are happy and seem in much better spirits when we return home.

Is there such a thing done at the Fort? If not it may give me a reason to move down. I just think it would help, when at the parks, if you did not want to come back and forth. We have seen many unhappy people who let there pet out for 5 min then head back to the parks.

Anyway.....just a thought......your thoughts????

Mark

 

[becky1960]

I havent heard of this or seen it, remember you are out of state and it would be strangers opening your RV, and what would be the cost. The kennels have gotten pretty high to me.

 

[des1954]

I like the way you're thinking....but there would probably be too much "red tape" to this service. I would bet anything that the suits at Disney have already thought about this, but nixed the idea. It would probably cost more to pay, bond, and insure the cast members, than the profit they would receive.

 

[RocklandRVers]

...I just think it would help, when at the parks, if you did not want to come back and forth. We have seen many unhappy people who let there pet out for 5 min then head back to the parks. Mark

We find that coming back from the parks to walk the dog was a welcomed break for us. The parks can be tiring and its easy to burn yourself out if you go at it commando style. Being "forced" to come back "home" lets us take a rest during the heat of midday. Our usual routine was to be at the park du jour at opening to beat the monsterous crowds and head opposite of where most people go. This way we maximize the number of attractions we hit. Then when the parks get the most crowded mid-afternoon we head to the Fort, walk the dog, eat lunch, take a dip in the pool and generally relax then head back late afternoon early evening. Our dog gets his fun time and we aren't worn out.

 

[BradyBz12]

It's funny, DH and I joke that this is our retirement plan.... camp at FW and provide pet sitting services for other campers. Of course I'm sure Disney would frown on us hanging out a shingle at our campsite, but it's a nice dream.

We're actually with the PP in that coming back to the camper for the dogs is a good way for us to be able to take things slow, take breaks and actually feel like we're on vacation and not a park marathon. But we have the luxury of being there for a few weeks too. Plus our dogs are super high energy border collies and if they don't get their breaks, walks and exercise, there's no possible way they're going to be content cooped up in the camper (or a kennel for that matter).

I could see a service like this being quite helpful to some folks for sure, but agree that the liability/red tape would be enormous for Disney.

The other big issue I'd see is the risk that the dog walker - who doesn't know your dog and vice versa - could accidentally lose your dog. Collars break, leashes slip... At least at a kennel your dog is in a securely fenced area. If someone walked out of your camper and the dog bolted.....

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I havent heard of this or seen it, remember you are out of state and it would be strangers opening your RV, and what would be the cost. The kennels have gotten pretty high to me.

I like the way you're thinking....but there would probably be too much "red tape" to this service. I would bet anything that the suits at Disney have already thought about this, but nixed the idea. It would probably cost more to pay, bond, and insure the cast members, than the profit they would receive.

I agree with both of you.
I don't know how it would work,, but I really like the idea,

 

[BradyBz12]

Of course the other, possibly biggest perk would be to the dogs. They could be stay in their comfy, familiar environments as opposed to the kennels. Especially good for those dogs not normally used to being kenneled.

Maybe someday Disney will figure a way to offer this service. And the minute they do, I'm retiring, heading south, and putting in a job application.

 

[dfchelbay]

I'm not so sure that I'm that comfortable with a complete stranger in my motorcoach...just a thought.

 

[Captdonswife]

We find that coming back from the parks to walk the dog was a welcomed break for us. The parks can be tiring and its easy to burn yourself out if you go at it commando style. Being "forced" to come back "home" lets us take a rest during the heat of midday. Our usual routine was to be at the park du jour at opening to beat the monsterous crowds and head opposite of where most people go. This way we maximize the number of attractions we hit. Then when the parks get the most crowded mid-afternoon we head to the Fort, walk the dog, eat lunch, take a dip in the pool and generally relax then head back late afternoon early evening. Our dog gets his fun time and we aren't worn out.

I like this way of thinking!! When we head to the Fort we'll have our 6 year old grandson with us and aside from Daisy needing to go out, we will probably be ready to go in for a while and rest!

 

[snocrossmechanic]

I love the great exchange of ideas here. I would like to expand on my original post. Here is our thoughts.

My company would be licensed, bonded, and insured. We would use a cushman type vehicle to get around the fort and spend most of the day and evenings taking care of peoples pets. Our service would allow for ala carte selections where you could choose to let the pets out for a short time or more extensive play times like taking them to the runs to play. We can do multiple times a day or once. We would provide play toys and treats if the owner allows.

We would not be part of Disney but would be able to offer our service at a much better price. We have a general love of animals and would also like for people to enjoy their vacation and know that thier pets are having fun too. It also allows us to check on the safety of the pets and your coach. We always worried if our pets would be ok if the air stopped working on a hot August day and we were out.

This is the basic premise that our current pet sitter has for our dogs and her business. She has helped us when we are on vacation and even when an emergency has happened. We are looking to move into the area and this would be an opportunity that we would love to explore.

Your comments are always welcome.

Thanks again for responding.

Mark

 

[chipscamping buddy]

I like the general idea, but I can see a lot of issues from the Disney side. You would have to be approved and insured to operate on property and you would be taking away their business.

When my DD was younger we enjoyed the midday break, but now she is nine and can run all day long. She doesn't want to stop and relax until they kick us out of the parks. It would be nice to know the four legged kids were taken care of without having to send them to the WDW kennels.

 

[mamaloya]

I don't believe the fairy godmothers are a part of disney. They come to people's hotel rooms, and even campers I have heard, to babysit children. Disney allows this, not sure what type of contract or anything though. If they don't have a problem with a babysitting service, then I don't know why they would have a problem with a pet sitting service.

I also don't think that it would take away business from the kennel. Some people prefer to keep their pets in their camper and some the kennel. I don't see that changing. It will just change the camper people having to come back and forth. Not sure if they would ever allow you to give a pet sitting service permission to go to the kennel for you or not.

I never did understand why you had to come to the kennel to walk your dog. The kennels here include walking the dog in the boarding fee.

Well, just my $.02.

 

[BradyBz12]

Mark - I think your idea is great. I'm not sure how the particulars/legalities would be worked out with Disney, but if they could be, I'm sure quite a few campers at FW would be interested in such a service.

Beyond that, it becomes a simple situation of people allowing you access to their campers - no different than pet sitters that have access to your home.

I know even for DH and I - while we don't have a problem taking care of all the playtime/exercise with our gang - we would love to just have a service where someone could just pop by and make sure everyone is ok, a/c is still running, etc..

If you do work something out, please be sure to let folks here know!

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd be interested in a once a day potty break for the pups when we visit US, IOA or SW. Great idea.

 

[Shan-man]

The biggest difficulty I can see is how would you advertise? Obviously Disney is not going to allow you to hang out at the dog-park distributing flyers! The DIS won't allow you to self-promote here. It's kinda like the folks who rent their campers, largely they have to rely on customers pointing potential clients to their websites, like MakeCampingEasy.com and CampAtTheFort.com. I would think the easiest thing to do would be to get a Cart with vinyl graphics advertising your service. That way you don't have to deal with gate security, you aren't stuck parking in the street on your visits, and can do some subtle advertising as you drive to and from your clients (and maybe a little looping thrown in, which is certainly frowned on with a car).

 

[Born 2 Fish]

The biggest difficulty I can see is how would you advertise? Obviously Disney is not going to allow you to hang out at the dog-park distributing flyers! The DIS won't allow you to self-promote here. It's kinda like the folks who rent their campers, largely they have to rely on customers pointing potential clients to their websites, like MakeCampingEasy.com and CampAtTheFort.com. I would think the easiest thing to do would be to get a Cart with vinyl graphics advertising your service. That way you don't have to deal with gate security, you aren't stuck parking in the street on your visits, and can do some subtle advertising as you drive to and from your clients (and maybe a little looping thrown in, which is certainly frowned on with a car).

Just my opinion but I think that once the word got out amongst the campers already at the Fort that word would spread like wild fire. After all, take those MORON JERKS who do pressure washing the RV's all day long next to you when your on your vacation, they can't advertize either, BUT for some reason when they get ONE customer, everybody around ME has to get their RV pressure washed too.
Only this "dog walking service" wouldn't pose nearly the noise factor. And I still like the idea,

 

[4mickey2]

not a bad ,thought. but, i agree with not wanting someone to come into my rig. i feel i have the dogs and they are my responsibility. yes, there are times i wish i had someone at home that could let them out. but, those occasions only really come about once a year. we just know we have to be there for them.

it has gotten into our blood.

but, for those that wouldn't mind them coming into their rig. i say "go for it".. just put a sign on your camper or vehicle and have a go at it..

 

[snocrossmechanic]

Thank you all again for such wonderful input. We are working on the details but it would involve using a cushman type cart that we could drive around and not take up space like a car would. We would be living near Disney. I am thinking Celebration as we like it every time we cruise through the area.

We would advertize by word of mouth. We are not out to retire on the profits of the business. We love pets and Disney so this would be a job that we really enjoy. Our service will speak for itself and we will gain customers trust and loyalty.

If it all works out you will see us putting around the fort.

Thank you again and see you camping in December.

Mark

 

[railmail]

Mark - I think your idea is great. I'm not sure how the particulars/legalities would be worked out with Disney, but if they could be, I'm sure quite a few campers at FW would be interested in such a service.

Beyond that, it becomes a simple situation of people allowing you access to their campers - no different than pet sitters that have access to your home.

I know even for DH and I - while we don't have a problem taking care of all the playtime/exercise with our gang - we would love to just have a service where someone could just pop by and make sure everyone is ok, a/c is still running, etc..

If you do work something out, please be sure to let folks here know!

I'm with you Brady. Our terrier is very skittish of people (timid little thing) and has been known to "show you her smile" when approached by an overzealous stranger. I wouldn't want to put anyone in that position. We normally just go back to our camper during the hot part of the day, take the pups out, relax for a little while and then hit the park again. It would be wonderful to be assured that the a/c was still running ok and that everything seems to be good at our campsite while we're in the park.

 

[terri01p]

You want to know what I would love to see : It's a doggie play day type thing, where you could drop your dog off in the morning and let them play at the doggie park or where ever with other pups until our return, our dog would love that and I would pay for him to be able to play with other doggie during the day, he just loved the dog park.

Although I would pay for someone to come out to our RV during the day just to make sure everything is still cool, I wouldn't have to worry about anything being stole, heck they probably wouldn't be able to make it in the front door after the first three days of camping anyways.