cats allergy (too much ? guests asking for refund)

[Sophie605]

Good afternoon everybody

My cleaning lady spent hours cleaning my apartment before my guests arrive. My cat was rehomed for a month in my family before going to travel and I guess she missed a few cat hair on the couch and apparently on washed sheets (must have "stuck" in the washing machine)

The thing is , the lady and her daughter straight away left and ask for a full refund

I. understand cat allergies, but this seems super extreme (we're talking 4 hours cleaning, few cat hair and no cat on site anymore), what's the right balance between "i should have mentioned there's a cat the rest of the year" and "guests should ask if a cat has been in the apartment because any cat hair left will induce strong allergies" ? 

Thank you for your help, I did not see that coming

Best

Sophie

[Helen3]

Hi @Sophie605 

I would suggest you amend your listing to make it really clear up front that a cat lives at the property most of the time to help warn guests with allergies.

My son ended up in hospital with a severe attack after playing with cats at a camp ground we were staying at when he was younger. It can be very dangerous for some people.

It doesn't matter if it was 'a very hairs on the sheets and the couch' that is enough to trigger an attack (if any case your cleaner should be checking bedding when she makes up the beds and there shouldn't be any hairs).

[Carolyn22]

There is a n airbnb box you can tick i think that says "pets live on property". 

Removing pet dander is difficult - we run portable hepa filters in the house. Hepa is good for guests who come down with respiratory infections btw.

You MUST mention your cat usually resides on property for lots of reasons not just guest allergy. 

We are also worried the guest may allow our ragdoll Meowfoy to escape outside if they are not careful with checking where he is before opening the doors or windows ! Or bring a pet who will hurt him. 

My pets are not always in residence on day one so i can concentrate on settling the guest in - except the fish who are indoors in aquaria clearly shown in the photos

Some guests apparently also particularly look forward to meeting Meowfoy. (Fluffy not so much)  bwhahaha airbnb needs another button for "pet attraction" I'm thinking about listing interacting with them as an optional event so we don't dissapoint.