Another dog related question

[dadmomh]

We're getting ready - I hope - to get our plans together for our move from West TN to Lakeland, FL in the next few weeks. As if things aren't chaotic enough, our DS, who is handicapped, cannot ride for more than a couple hours or so without getting out of the truck and walking around. We are selling darned near everything as the new house is completely furnished, but will rent a U-Haul to carry the things we are taking. The plan so far is that DH and DS will have the U-Haul with DS's truck on a dolly. They will take Cubbie, the Border Collie, with them. I will drive our F150 with my little car on a dolly and Foxy, Biscuit and Lily with me. With DS having to stop so frequently, it takes us 2 overnights to get 800 miles. So motels for 2 nights. I started looking online for pet friendly motels and to call themselves "pet friendly" is a joke. Many charge a $100 NON REFUNDABLE deposit per pet. I don't want to buy the place, just stay overnight. This move is enough of a challenge without looking at $800 in NON REFUNDABLE deposits for the dogs. Biscuit and Lily are crated at night, Foxy sleeps with us and Cubbie with DS. They are all well behaved, don't bark - usually, not destructive. Traveling with DS and 4 dogs is interesting enough without this. We'll be coming south on I-65 through Birmingham and usually a good stopping place for us is Montgomery and the second night Lake City, FL. Anyone have suggestions? DH said he'd get an airbag and sleep in the back of the truck (with topper) with the girls before he'd pay that ridiculous amount. That could work, but we're still stuck with figuring out 2 more people and 2 more dogs. We're surely not talking a 4-Star Hotel, but just something clean and.....inexpensive. I have lots more work to do on this, but any suggestions would be appreciated.

[rockhillmanor]

mrmichael80 wrote:
I don't understand if it's only a deposit you get it back after checkout assuming your pet has not damaged the room??

I have never been at one that had a 'returnable' deposit. They all were an 'additional' fee.

A returnable fee is based on the owners 'opinion' if it should be returned. I'm not about to hand over a $100 to some motel manager to decide if he or she will give it back. :R

[mrmichael80]

I don't understand if it's only a deposit you get it back after checkout assuming your pet has not damaged the room??

[2012Coleman]

stpauligirlmn wrote:
What about camping cabins at a state park or koa along the way? Would you be open to tenting?

This is an excellent idea, but pets may not be able to stay in the cabin. It does not hurt to check state parks along your route though.

[rockhillmanor]

rbpru wrote:
We have spent $10.00 a night for our dog.

But on a recent trip we were going to leave the TT and motel until the motel wanted $35.00/night. We took the TT.

As mentioned the cost can vary from place to place.

X2!

My last trip from up north to Florida I decided NOT to take the MH. Because I travel with dogs I have always 'in the past' stayed at the chain motels which are all pet friendly no extra charge.

Well.....all that has certainly changed since they have all been bought out by third world countries.:(

Every motel I stopped at wanted an addtional fee of $35.00 "PER DOG". I have 4 small dogs.

OP: Why are you not taking your RV with? Or did I miss it on your description of who would be driving what?

[westernrvparkow]

On the outside chance the OP actually wanted some advice and bothers to take the time to check out what we all have posted here there is no shortage of pet friendly hotels along their route. Since they want to take 3 days to travel 800 miles I search Chattanooga TN and Tifton GA which are each about 1/3 of the total distance they need to travel. Within 5 minutes I found a Best Western in Chattanooga that allows two dogs per room for a $15.00 Fee each. Tifton, a Wyndham, Microtel for the same $15.00. That would be a grand total of $120.00 pet fees for their trip, a far cry from their supposed $800.00. Which is really not that much since they are traveling with 4 dogs, a virtual kennel full of dogs. Personally, I think we were once again "Catfished". But why, I have no idea.

[stpauligirlmn]

Lakecitycampground.com

the cabins dont allow pets, but the tenting sites appear to.

[stpauligirlmn]

What about camping cabins at a state park or koa along the way? Would you be open to tenting?

[Murphsmom]

You might want to check out BringFido.com to see if they have any info for the areas where you will need to stop.

[DownTheAvenue]

GaryWT wrote:
Who has the camper? How long do the stops have to be? An 800 mile ride is 12 hours plus stops. With towing it might be a little longer. We can do that trip with 2-3 fifteen minute stops. If you can't find places to stay then one might need to take all the dogs and drive straight through. With an early start I would think you could cut it to one night. Good luck, lots to think about and worry about.

You apparently did not read the OP's original post very well. They have a handicapped son who must stop frequently and walk which significantly slows the travel.

Your post was not helpful.

[dvitale300]

I would be surprised if you have any major problems finding a room. We normally pay nothing or a minimum $10 pet fee. Sounds like your dogs will be under your total control, and, it's only a sleepover so it shouldn't be a problem.

[westernrvparkow]

We usually see $10 to $50 depending upon property. Usually it is not refundable. The higher fees are generally one time fees, which are fine if you are staying a week, not so fine for a one nighter. we used to stay almost exclusively at Residence Inns, liked the separate bedroom and living room and they had good breakfasts, but they have gone to very high fees for the stay that just are too high for one night. Best Westerns used to be all pet friendly with low fees, but that is changing. Now you just have to shop around.
In my opinion, like most fees and restrictive policies, large pet fees are being driven by a few bad guests. And if you had a room torn apart by fido, you probably would either say no pets or collect enough money to make it worth your while too. And before someone chimes in with the inevitable "charge the bad guest" post, just remember that bad guest will respond to that charge with the equally inevitable "dispute the charges with the card company" response. Innkeepers are left with charging everyone so they can pay for the sins of the few.

[phillyg]

I haven't experienced more than $15 per animal, usually $10 or so.

[NCWriter]

X2 for La Quinta.

[rbpru]

We have spent $10.00 a night for our dog.

But on a recent trip we were going to leave the TT and motel until the motel wanted $35.00/night. We took the TT.

As mentioned the cost can vary from place to place.

[GaryWT]

Who has the camper? How long do the stops have to be? An 800 mile ride is 12 hours plus stops. With towing it might be a little longer. We can do that trip with 2-3 fifteen minute stops. If you can't find places to stay then one might need to take all the dogs and drive straight through. With an early start I would think you could cut it to one night. Good luck, lots to think about and worry about.