Service Animals

[Travis-and-Angel0]

I am getting mixed responses from AIRBNB support versus the written policy regarding service and esa animals. We are strict on no pets. I understand we have to allow service animals, but has anyone experienced a guest saying they have service animals but they are actually just pets. What do you do in that type of situation?

[Helen3]

Having read the policy I'm sure you're familiar with the questions you can ask guests in this situation and that you can confirm to guests that as a service animal it must be with the owner at all times and therefore can't be left at a property by themselves. @Travis-and-Angel0 

guests who aren't genuine service animal owners will often pull out of the booking when they realise pets can't be left alone. 

[Greystone0]

Hi @Travis-and-Angel0  - as @Helen3  mentioned you can have a rule that the animal cannot be left unattended. 

and yes, we have had multiple times where the animals clearly were not service animals. They were poorly behaved when we could see them, dragged owners out doors, didn't come when called, barking and so on. 

You can't really 'do' anything. You can try and guilt people from doing this. It's poor behaviour. 

We have now added that the main booker is financially responsible for any damage caused by such animals to help alleviate poor behaviour along with the not being left alone.

good luck!