therapy pets

[Heather32]

Does anyone have any info on whether I can legally refuse a rental when the guest is asking to bring a therapy pet?

[Jessa0]

...and this is the point where I am happy I do not live in the United States. Is it someone inquiring to bring their "therapy" pet or did they arrive with it? If the first just decline... the latter, ask a US host but I'd imagine an animal can be barred entry to a private home. 

[Heather32]

What I am finding in my research is that service animals cannot be barred, even in a private home, but that therapy animals can. I truly do not think the inquirer understands what it takes to bring an animal in and out of Hawaii. Is is an arduous process at best.

She is inquiring if we woudl allow her to bring her cat with her. The building is not pet friendly, and does not allow any pets other than service animals.

I truly appreciate all you input, and did not see any info pertaining to my dilemma until I searced "service pet" Mahalo!

[Clare0]

@Heather32 A cat? Well, that's a horse of a different color!  Given that so many people have cat allergies, I wouldn't hesitate to decline as getting cat hair / dander out of the premises would be very difficult. 

[Donna15]

@Heather32, posting your question in the 'Search the community' box will bring up a few threads. Here's one.

https://community.airbnb.com/t5/General-Hosting/so-a-guest-shows-up-with-a-service-animal-what-are-A...

[Clare0]

Hi @Jessa0, nice to see you here!  Yes, @Heather32 there was quite a spirited discussion posted here a few days ago concerning a host who had somewhat of a disaster due to someone bringing what they claimed was a service dog.  You might search under Service Dogs to find the thread as there were many opinions on the legality of declining reservation requests from guests with service dogs.