{"id":2498,"date":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-07-19T00:00:00","slug":"perfect-pet-friendly-getaways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bookabach.co.nz\/holiday-ideas\/travel-guides\/getaways\/perfect-pet-friendly-getaways","title":{"rendered":"Perfect pet-friendly getaways"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sharon Fong has been greeting creatures great and small \u2013 from Chihuahua puppies to Great Danes \u2013 at her clifftop Snells Beach bach, Ferndale Cottage, for the past three years. She now has a continuous stream of pet owners wanting to stay at the north Auckland property which has views over the waters of Kawau Bay from the top of the section, and 1.8-metre-high fences to keep even large dogs contained.<\/p>\n\n\n

Living nearby, Sharon ensures she meets and greets all her canine and human guests on their arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve never had a problem with any of the dogs,\u201d says Sharon. \u201cGuests are asked to leave the bach as they found it but I always go over it thoroughly when they leave. Ninety-five percent of people are really good and the bach never smells of dog. The people who bring their dogs are responsible and look after them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

Owners are asked to pick up their dogs\u2019 droppings and keep the gate shut to prevent unruly escapades by escapees. One animal-loving couple not only brought their two dogs to Sharon\u2019s bach but also a cat and a pet bird!<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cThe cottage was immaculate after they left but I don\u2019t want to encourage cats as we have a lot of bird life here,\u201d says Sharon, who enjoys walking her chihuahua-foxie cross on the off-leash beach below the property. Take the walkway next to the property and it\u2019s just one minute to Snell\u2019s Beach\u2019s eastern end. At low tide you can walk to the white stand of the western end of Snells or in the other direction, Algies Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n

Off-lead at Ohope<\/h2>\n\n\n

Jane Fedo, the owner of one of the Whakatane region\u2019s few fully fenced, pet-friendly holiday homes, permits pets inside her fresh and funky bach. It\u2019s one block back from the 11km long Ohope Beach, where dogs can, at set times, run off-lead.<\/p>\n\n\n

The two-bedroom, freshly painted house has a big tiled bathroom where dogs can sleep, and if you need to leave your pets while you go out, there\u2019s a double garage on the property. Jane asks that doggie droppings are scooped up and disposed of in plastic bags, and likes pets to be kept off the new furniture and beds. \u201cAs the area is residential it is important your dogs don\u2019t cause a noise nuisance with excessive barking,\u201d says Jane, who has a golden retriever.<\/p>\n\n\n

With a one-metre high fence, this property keeps small dogs safe on the section and they can also be contained on the sunny balcony.<\/p>\n\n\n

Twenty minutes east of Ohope at Ohiwa, Hugh Douglas\u2019s original \u201850s bach is a welcoming spot for dogs tired out from running on the area\u2019s many miles of deserted dog-friendly ocean beaches. This is a true canine paradise! A friendly Lab next door will enjoy the company of your pooch while you sit back with a Chardonnay and enjoy the sunset over the water.<\/p>\n\n\n

Half of those renting this two-bedroom clifftop retreat are dog owners. You can relax with your pooch inside as furnishings and floor coverings are older, it\u2019s clean and there are plenty of games, books and memorabilia for rainy days.<\/p>\n\n\n

What to expect<\/a> from a pet-friendly pad<\/h2>\n\n\n

Pet friendliness comes in varying degrees, from the likes of Sharon Fong, who even provides a doggie blanket for the comfort of pets on the couch, to Opotiki\u2019s Des Draper, who is cool hosting \u201chandbag- type dogs\u201d due to his Opotiki clifftop holiday home\u2019s polished floorboards.<\/p>\n\n\n

Ask the bach owner for the rules of the house for dogs, so you know exactly where your pet can go and what\u2019s expected of you. While some owners welcome dogs inside; others may stipulate they need to be kept outside. Don\u2019t expect all baches to have full dog fencing; check with the owner before you book.<\/p>\n\n\n

Check if there is a suitable place to leave your dog if you go out without your pet. As dogs can sometimes behave differently at someone else\u2019s house, it may be best to leave your dog in one room \u2013 such as a tiled bathroom or a locked garage.<\/p>\n\n\n

What\u2019s expected<\/a> of you<\/h2>\n\n\n

Even though you\u2019re on holiday, you\u2019ll need to dedicate time to walk and play with your dog so they don\u2019t go psycho in someone else\u2019s house! A content pet is a well-behaved pet.<\/p>\n\n\n

Open communications with any close neighbours so they can easily let you know if your dog is disturbing them.<\/p>\n\n\n

Unless otherwise agreed, leave the bach as you found it, or even a bit cleaner than when you arrived. This includes cleaning your dog\u2019s slobber off windows, thoroughly vacuuming and double checking for pet hairs. The next guests may not be used to pets, and may even have allergies to them.<\/p>\n\n\n

Before you go<\/a> on holiday<\/h2>\n\n\n