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+--- Thread: ESA animals - beware (/showthread.php?tid=198)
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ESA animals - beware - poly660 - 08-11-2025
This is your friendly regular reminder that ESA support animals are ALLOWED by Airbnb. Make sure you avoid the fake one's by asking the usual questions!
(1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”
Majority of the time they will stop inquiring or not reply as you are 1 out of 5 hosts they reached out to asking about ESA animals and they'll find some other unsuspecting host.
RE: ESA animals - beware - Inspired - 08-18-2025
I'm totally a dog person but ESA animals are just not trained or disciplined like service animals.
RE: ESA animals - beware - ElDude - 09-09-2025
Thankfully, I'm a host out in Las Vegas and I don't think that I've ever gotten a guest that brings an ESA animal, legit or not. I guess everyone that wants a weekend trip to Vegas would rather just have someone watch their pet back home rather than drag it out into the desert or have to think about it while they are out enjoying themselves.
RE: ESA animals - beware - poly731 - 09-11-2025
There are way too many people who lie about service animals, I personally know 4 people who travel everywhere with them and everyone is always too scared to question them. If the big corporations like Target, JetBlue just let them through without asking questions how are we little guys supposed to do anything about it?
RE: ESA animals - beware - cba13 - 09-11-2025
As soon as someone mentions service, I reiterate the Airbnb policy of that animal never being allowed to be left in the home alone. Leaving a service dog alone is grounds for immediate eviction.
It's only been an issue for the people that don't actually need them and has 100% kept me from having any issues.
RE: ESA animals - beware - reno741 - 09-13-2025
Is notifying of a service animal required? Last time I booked through VRBO they specifically stated that I did not need to notify the host of a service animal.
With that being said, I typically DO notify, but I’ve forgotten before. My service animal such a routine part of my daily life that sometimes I forget that he’s something that I should mention and to be honest people can’t legally deny so its more of a courtesy than anything.
RE: ESA animals - beware - ballys889 - 09-17-2025
I have a lot of shrubs on my property that are beautiful but dangerous to dogs (and humans - but I would think most people don't go around eating random vegetation). I disclose them in the listing. I'd be happy to host service animals, but I haven't hosted anyone with a dog so far. Perhaps they are scared of the disclosure.. who knows.
RE: ESA animals - beware - tomdodo - 09-18-2025
(09-13-2025, 08:55 PM)reno741 Wrote: Is notifying of a service animal required? Last time I booked through VRBO they specifically stated that I did not need to notify the host of a service animal.
With that being said, I typically DO notify, but I’ve forgotten before. My service animal such a routine part of my daily life that sometimes I forget that he’s something that I should mention and to be honest people can’t legally deny so its more of a courtesy than anything.
My understanding is that only if it is a true "service animal" (not emotional support animal). This may differ if you are in CA/NY. Per airbnb's policy:
"A Service Animal is not a pet. Guests can generally be accompanied by a Service Animal during a home, service, or experience reservation on Airbnb, regardless of rules that prohibit a pet (for example, “no pets” policy at a home). See below for more details on specific rules for homes and for services and experiences."
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869
RE: ESA animals - beware - REV17k - 09-18-2025
It all comes down to this...if it’s a real service animal, guests will need it when they leave the property. If it’s not a real service animal, then they’re a lot more likely to want to leave it at the property. You can basically make it uncomfortable for them to bring the fake service animal by reminding them of this policy of animals left alone and mention that charges will be applied for damages caused by negligent animals. Refrain from even using the word "pet" in communications as it's a bit accusatory and your best case scenario is that they don't even respond and just go somewhere else after you mention this. The last thing you want is a drawn out back and forth where you accidently say something you shouldn't and they report you.
RE: ESA animals - beware - the810 - 09-19-2025
This thread makes me feel so sorry for the people with support or service animals. Imagine what happened in the past to make these rules that you are not allowed to ask. For someone already "challenged" to have to constantly defend yourself. I feel sorry for them. Travelling must be such a hassle.