Dog News

Hotels Offer Unique Program for Bored Shelter Dogs and Guests

by Fred

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7.5.14 - Hotels Offers Unique Program for Bored Shelter Dogs and Guests

The Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah has started a new program where shelter dogs get a chance to get out of the kennel and be walked by guests.  The Pound Puppy Hike is what they are calling the complimentary amenity, and it’s a big hit with guests and the lonely and bored shelter dogs participating.

Guests are matched with a dog from a local shelter or a puppy.  Then they get to take a long, much needed walk through some of the beautiful scenic trails in the area.

“We know that busy executives are visiting the property to recharge and disconnect, yet stay active and not sit around,” said hotel general manager Tracey Welsh.

The HSUS has an estimation that in 2012 about 62 percent of American homes had at least one pet as a part of the family.  This information prompted another resort facility in Aspen, Colorado setting guests up with local shelter dogs when they are away from and missing their furry family members still at home.  There is no fee for the service, and they consider you a short term volunteer, and you get to take the dogs on walks through town, or take a nice long hike with one.

“The outings provide exercise and socialization for the dogs and often lead to successful adoptions,” Aspen Animal Shelter director said in an interview.

There are actually many hotels and resorts all through the Aspen area.  When their guests are participating in the program, the usual $125 pet stay fee is waived.  There even two hotels offering back and forth shuttle transportation for the guests and their shelter dogs.

Hadley Schroll, a spokesperson for the FRHI Hotels and Resorts, the company that owns the Fairmont brand, which has spots nationwide.

“The program results in higher guest satisfaction and more personalized guest experiences, while the positioning the hotels as unique and distinctive in their respective destinations,” said Schroll.