BETTER SOLUTION:
* Have a member account for animals. (Or pets if you prefer that word, the word you prefer is culture based)
Just like a person has an account where they list their profile and documents. Just like where a person is rated on behavior.The animals account can be linked to the owner.
This would serve several purposes that would create safety for the host and their pets. But, also create accountability for the pets.
Profile: The pets would have a profile. Where the owner could discuss the pets likes and dislikes. This would give the host a heads up about the animal, such as, “Spot likes balls” or “Spot isn’t allowed treats, only food from his bowl. He’s on diet.”
Documents: The Pet would also have a document file like a human. The owner could post the dogs licenses, immunizations records, certificates of behavior training, or certification of authentic service dog training.
If dogs are ‘part of the family’ and ‘my best friend,’ then let’s treat them like other members of the Airbnb Community.
Pet owners are going to be excited to have a place to Brag and share about their dog. They will say, “Spot had a 5 star behavior rating on Airbnb.” Pet owners are (almost) always excited to tell you more about their pet. Responsible pet owners will have no problems posting their dog license.
If a dog, causes issues, the host can (just like humans) alert the community to issues on the dogs profile.
This keeps everyone safe. I’d rather take proactive steps to keep everyone safe, then, dismiss concerns with - “hey, we got insurance and lawyers for that ..”
Rather then dismissing these real issues, and waiting for a tragic story to hit the media.
Why not be proactive ?
Give hosts more good information about the animal so that they can have the special gluten-free snacks the dog loves when the guest arrives. Or not pet or interact with the animal because it’s a service animal, ‘at work.’
Let the dogs rate the hosts, too. Was the host dog-friendly?
Was the house, yard or listing dog friendly?
Where the other dogs in the house, welcoming to the guest dog ?
The dog (via owner) could rate the house dog-friendliness in the dog profile. A pet owner needs to know, if a host acts, inappropriately toward another guest dog.
Hosts that have pets. I’ve stayed at Airbnbs where the owner had a pet. Those hosts could also create one of these “pet profiles,” for there pet which includes documents & a little bit about the pets likes and dislikes. Guests could rate the owners pet, did the cat hiss at them every time they walked by the couch? Did the Hosts dog, jump up on the table while they where eating? Did the puppies in the bath, totally make their journey magical ?
These are things, our guest, need to know, when booking a listing with a pet in the house.
I’ve posted a lot this issue and was disappointed at the solution. As it lacked, compassion, acknowledging a reasonable safety concern, concerns about compensation for housing pets and respect for diversity. In fact, it acknowledged none of the community concerns with a solution. It dismissed the Airbnb concerns with, “we got lawyers and insurance to cover that ..”
My solution of creating pet profiles, addresses the majority of the concerns brought by the community and gives hosts information about good pets to help them be better hosts to the pet. Gives the guest information about how well the host interacts with a pet.
My solution honors the ‘Spirit’ of the Airbnb community.
Please, consider giving this issue the time and respect it deserves.
Until that happens, my profile will read, “I’m allergic to pets.”