Manipulation of Airbnb's Assistance Animal policy by guests that just want to travel with their Pets

[Ben242]

Who here has had a guest arrive with undisclosed animals and when questioned guest claimed that they were ESA's (Emotional Support Animals)?

For an unscrupulous, unethical guest that just wants to travel with their pets, what is to stop them from just verbally saying "this is an ESA"?  Per Airbnb policy any guest can bring a pet and just call it an ESA

The Federal laws do not allow this sort of abuse...why does Airbnb not protect the hosts investment like if it was their own?

Federal law protects Service Animals under ADA, ESA's are allowed under FHAA.  FHAA only covers for sale housing and Long Term rentals.  It does not cover commercial property, hotels => short term housing.  Airbnb since they don't have to deal with extra cleaning costs, or issues with future guests allergies due to pet dander  has no problem allowing guests to abuse this law and going over the top to prevent extra cleaning fees to be charged.

Airbnb policy on Assistance Animals (they classify service and ESA's together)

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869/what-is-an-assistance-animal

ESA abuse is real problem....

https://therapypet.org/blog/esa-hotel-laws/

https://www.boredpanda.com/restaurant-sign-emotional-support-dogs-not-allowed-service-animals/?utm_s...

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/aug/12/fake-emotional-support-animals-service-dogs

https://beckerlawyers.com/will-the-fraud-and-abuse-in-emotional-support-animal-requests-finally-be-c...

https://www.naahq.org/news-publications/states-lead-efforts-curtail-rampant-abuse-emotional-support-...

https://www.npr.org/2020/01/23/798662547/federal-government-may-tighten-restrictions-on-service-anim...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/us/emotional-support-animal.html

[Helen427]

@Ben242  Do you know they are trialing Covid detector Medical Detection Dogs in the UK?

I wonder if we hosts will be asked to share our homes with them next?