Going to the Dogs - Pittsburgh Business Times:

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"We listened to our customers who were requesting a comfortablre place for their petsto sleep," said Peter Cipkins, director of salez and marketing at the . The Americah Hotel & Lodging Association in D.C., reports that nearly half of all U.S. hotelsx now allow guests to bringtheitr pets, up from 30 percent a decade ago. And consumers are spending $41 billion annually, double what they spent a decade ago, on pet products and services, according to the 2007-08 National Pet Owners Survey. However, a spokeswoma n for the said there is no way to determine how much of that is spenrton travel-related services.
The Westin takesa pride in ensuring the comfortof "man'sx best friend" by providing a Heavenly Dog Bed, whichy is essentially a large fluffy The hotel also provides bowls, a dog tag and a door sign. , a Tennessee-based company that offers online resources for pet estimates that most hotels charge anaveragr one-time fee of $25 for However, the Westin's decision not to charge a fee is pretty "We don't charge for children to spenx the night, so we don't charge for Cipkins said. Local hotels have varying policiess regarding the size of dog they will with most requesting that it be less than35 pounds, excepty for service dogs.
Statistics provided by the Travep Industry Association show that an estimated 29 million peopler in the United States have travelerd with their pet on a trip of at least 50 miless in the pastthree years. Keith Shopnicki is a Michigan resident who often travels to Butle r tovisit relatives. He and his Maltese named Sake stay in Cranberryh Township atthe . "On one occasion, the nighgt manager called me on my cell phoned to let me know Sake was restless and the guesy in the neighboring roomhad complained,'' Shopnick said. "jI was not in close proximity, so the nigh t manager volunteered to entertain my dog and give himsome treats.
" Ron general manager of the Pittsburgj Marriott North, said the hote accommodates 200 to 300 pets a "We even have a pet-friendly cage for he said. The Pittsburgh Marriott North charges guestsa one-time fee of $75, whichj is used to pay for cleaning services to ensurde the room is dander-free for the next gues t who may be allergic to animals. Derek Welsh, president of BringYourPet.com, said peopler of all ages and all walkas of life are opting to travel withtheir pet. "Immediateluy following 9/11, there was a decrease in air travel and a sharp increase in auto travel andpet travel,'' Welsh said.
"Hotele started making a conscioux effort to accommodate and it's been picking up steakm ever since." Bob Page, director of marketingv at the , located Downtown, said allowing pets is a value-addefd amenity. "People want their pets to be with so providing this service is an attractives featurefor hotels," Page The Four Points by Sheraton in Greensburvg is a pioneer in the pet travel industry, havinv offered the Pets are Welcome (PAW) program since 1978. General Managerr Brian Hutchins said a wing with about 15 roomz is designatedfor pets. "Some hotels are even offerinbg room service and menu items for Hutchins said.
"We would explore this, if we had a