If you and your family have pets, it can be difficult to leave them at home on vacation. Putting your animals in a kennel can be expensive, but it can be difficult to find someone to care for them from home. Fortunately, there is a solution. Pet-friendly hotels are becoming more popular in many cities.

Pet-friendly hotels allow travelers to bring their animal friends with them instead of boarding them in a kennel or hiring a sitter to stay with them during their trip. These places are dedicated to making animals comfortable while giving owners peace of mind that their animals are safe and well fed.

Some luxury establishments even treat animals like miniature VIPs, catering to their every whim and pampering them. For example, they may have a special room service menu for animals, leave toys in every room, and provide special beds for dogs and cats that will give animals a good night’s sleep. One hotel in Seattle even has animal psychiatrists, acupuncturists, and massage therapists on staff to truly pamper the pets that come to stay there.

An establishment in California has a “Yappy Hour” where dog owners can bring their dogs to a special area for a play session. These events are a great way for dogs to run and hang out while their owners socialize. Some places have even hired “Animal Relations Directors” who plan special events and discover new services and offers that will make animals feel right at home.

Some pet-friendly hotels have also begun providing replacement animals for travelers forced to leave their four-legged friends at home. For example, the Burnham in Chicago has begun providing goldfish for guests, as has the SoHo Grand in New York. Some establishments have even begun providing cats or dogs to guests who want the company of an animal during their stay. The goal is to make guests feel more at home and to work to ease the pain that comes with leaving a beloved animal friend at home.

These pet-friendly hotels can accommodate devoted animal lovers by requiring a non-refundable deposit from guests who bring animals with them. This allows them to provide extra services and also repair any damage that animals may cause, such as chewing on furniture, scratching carpets or urinating inside the room.