Cancellation for pet dander in advance

[Heather509]

Hi. I had a guest show up Friday and cancel and ask for refund immediately bc they said they could smell dog. And my next guest the next night, tonight, has asked for a full refund (after using my home to prepare for a wedding though.) I have 2 different guests next Friday and Saturday.  Should I message them in advance and tell them as a reminder that if they have any allergy sensitivities to dog dander that will cause issues that they should reconsider their reservation? I don't want to have to be out of my home and then have a cancellation, and of course don't want to have bad reviews and record.  Thanks. 

[Sarah977]

@Heather509  Your listing isn't even showing. I was going to look at it to see if you are clear in your listing description that you have a dog. Are you? Because just because your profile photo is with a dog, it may not be enough for guests to understand that there is a dog that lives on the premises.

Yes, I think you might message the upcoming guests to confirm that they don't have dog allergies. And in the future, it's a good thing to mention in a welcome message to guests when they book or request to book.

And no offense, for all I know, your place might be totally immaculate, but maybe you need to vacuum and wash things down a bit more? I have a dog, who mostly stays outside, but she does come inside sometimes and right now she smells really bad because the weather is rainy and she's damp most of the time. But my house doesn't smell like dog inside. Even if someone doesn't have allergies, staying somewhere that smells like dog could be unpleasant and trigger cancellations.

There's also the possibility that the guests were just using that as an excuse to cancel and get a refund.

[Heather509]

 Hi. I actually put my account on hold bc I didn't have time to go through the whole calendar and set open/closed dates. And I think I've realized that it's too much work to clean and organize to the extent I do for just 1 night visits.  AND TBH, I realized I didn't have a note that I have a dog in my home so I did edit the listing to say so. And the currents guest should see that.  And I have had no complaints from any other visitors... just both this weekend oddly.  How would you message to upcoming guests about allergies and suggest they cancel if they do have allergies? 

[Heather509]

I should add that I had my friends dog come through that afternoon and she stinks a little hurt she wasn't there a minute.... hate that maybe she left a smell... though I had 3 diffusers going as I always do to be honest so the house smelled like eucalyptus...

[Victoria567]

@Heath3er

I have a wee sausage dog, who does not access bedrooms.

I mention this in my listing.

I actively state in my listing that I have a dog, it’s my family home and regretfully not suitable for guests with allergies. period!

I have an immaculately clean home, but allergies are becoming a new excuse for guests to either get a refund or cancel.

There is a painful thread on the community centre, about discrimination and just reading the commentary makes the mind boggle!

I would be cheesed off, if I were in a situation similar to yours with guests on the doorstep cancelling, on the flimsiest of pretexts.

I can’t be arsed with time wasters or cheapskates, who funnily enough were NOT allergic whilst they took advantage of you by using your accommodation to get ready for a wedding, but strangely became allergic once they had figured out they would have to pay for a nights stay......totally entitled parasites and well out of order.

I would be crystal clear about the description of your accommodation.

[Heather509]

How would you message to upcoming guests about possible allergies? I didn't explicitly say I have a dog and/but that I spend house wiping my home dine, including the baseboards with bleach.... so should I say, a previous guest had an issue with allergies, so I want you to he aware and cancel in advance if you feel the need to ? 

[Sarah977]

@Heather509   "Guests: Please note: My dog Rover lives on the premises. If you have allergies to dogs, my listing will not be suitable for you. Refunds after arriving will not be given on the basis of a dog allergy. Please confirm that you understand this, thanks."