The Hotel Industry Goes to the Dogs

Anyone who knows me knows that I love dogs. I love my two rescue dogs so much that I have lost annoyed Instagram followers because I post too many pictures of them. If you want to make me feel better about my life choices, you can always follow me there @ahoisin. And follow me on Twitter @HNN_Alicia, too, where sometimes my #akita Harvey will comment on hotel news.
 

 
Anyway, I like when my two loves merge. That is, my love for rescue dogs and my love for hotels.
 
Tampa, Florida-based McKibbon Hotel Group made my day when I heard its Aloft Asheville Downtown in North Carolina had partnered with a local animal shelter in an effort to increase dog adoption numbers.
 
Here’s the gist: The goal is to help find permanent homes for several dogs, rescuing pets from possible euthanasia at area shelters, according to a news release. As guests arrive at the Aloft Asheville Downtown, one of these rescue dogs will welcome them from behind the registration desk dressed in an “Adopt Me” vest. Guests can interact with the dog during check-in as well as at the hotel lounge and in other designated areas.
 
The adoptable dogs live at the hotel and are cared for by the Aloft team, Lauren Bowles director of communications for McKibbon, told me via email.
 
She said the company has had guests as far as Massachusetts adopt dogs, but most guests are from the Southeastern United States. Several Asheville locals have adopted dogs. So have a couple of Aloft team members.
 
“McKibbon’s chairman John McKibbon has been a huge supporter of animal rescue shelters for many years and has two rescue dogs himself,” Bowles said. “Giving back to the communities we serve is a huge part of the McKibbon culture, and this has been a great way to do so by saving orphaned dogs’ lives.”
 
It’s a great idea for a 24-hour business such as hotels. 
 
Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs. About 2.7 million shelter animals are adopted each year, but just as many are euthanized.
 
Dog-friendly hotels that open their doors to shelter animals give them one more chance at life. Since McKibbon launched its program in August 2014, more than 20 dogs have found permanent homes. The company hopes to reach 100 adoptions this year.
 
Compared to the millions of animals in shelters, 20 or 100 might seem like small potatoes. But it’s not for those 20 or 100 dogs who have found their place. And I bet those 20 or 100 families would say the same.
 
This blog wouldn’t be complete without pictures of dogs to make you go “aww.” Here’s a cute listicle of dogs at the Aloft Asheville (all photos courtesy of McKibbon):
 
This dog ready to check you in, sir

 
This friendly concierge who knows all the best parks in the area

 
This guy who got caught snoozing on the job

 
This friendly pooch ready to assist you with your bags, ma’am

 
A call to action
Not long ago my fabulous colleague Stephanie Ricca requested tweets showcasing dogs in hotels.
 

 
I’m upping the ante. Please tweet us more pictures of #DogsinHotels. Cats welcome, too. But tweet those to @HNN_Samantha. She’s the crazy cat lady of the office.
 
Email Alicia Hoisington or find her on Twitter.
 
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