We have 2 dogs for which we have to pay a fee at the majority of sites. Facilities provided are normally nothing. Sometimes an exercise area and sometimes doggy bags. If it's a £1 each then it's too small to worry about but some sites charge £4.50 each per night in peak. I've never understood the justification for any charge for a dog when zero facilites are provided, just a litre of water per day perhaps. What do others think of charging for dogs. I'm also incensed when there is a charge levied for awnings which are in the confines of your pitch. Any views ?
I agree - the charge should in some way reflect the costs incurred, and £4.50 seems extortionate. Even if they provide a dog walk/exercise area that seems way OTT.
Problem is, the only remedy you have is not to stay there, and that isn't going to solve anything if they are unaware why people are going elsewhere...
I should add that I don't have an axe to grind here - I don't have a dog.
I try to avoid sites which charge extra for the dog - but usually I look at the overall cost so if it's still within reason then that is Ok. Usually the ones that charge high amounts for dogs are out of my price bracket before I even add that on.
As Pepe says, if they charge a lot maybe it's to discourage folks with dogs from going there.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
This keeps coming up as a topic. Personally as a dog owner I am happy to pay to take our JRT.
ALL sites that accept dogs provide some facilities. just accepting the dog is a service. Virtually all provide bins and or bags. Not everyone uses them so in addition to emptying the bins the site will have to clear up excrement.
Many sites will also provide dog walks and a few provide showers.
One other cost to the site usually overlooked by dog owners - not everyone likes dogs and some may avoid sites accepting dogs preferring dog free sites. That's potentially lost business.
BUT regardless of how a site makes up it's charges it is the bottom line total cost that counts. If you don't like that don't go there.
I have never had to pay for our dog but I have seen all manor of charges for dogs ranging from a £1 a night to £5 a night and as far as awnings go it is the same.The site we use for our summer holidays has an all in pay structure so we know were we stand and by the way its £20 per night and that includes dog,awning,car and visitors.Ian
------------- Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July
Before we bought a touring caravan we often used to go to Haven sites and stay in a static caravan once a year. You couldn't hire any of their 'Gold' or 'Silver' grade caravans if you wanted to take your dog so you had no alternative but to opt for their lowest 'Bronze' grade which many were disgusting to say the least with part rusty cookers, fridges and broken window stays etc. The problem was that even hiring a down graded caravan there was an extra charge of £40 per week per dog. I thought there was no justification in this fee so we eventually opted out of hiring static vans and decided to have our own touring caravan instead. Based on this principal I would never pay for my dog now as it's our own accommodation so there's no excuse for any staff wages paid for any cleaning involved and the facilities they provide for dogs anyway are minimal therefore if I can't take my dog for free then I will find a site that does. We have always been responsible owners who always clean up any mess afterwards (everytime) but in my view it's just another penalty clause for dog owners in general. If any sites require an extra charge for either dogs or awnings then it's up to the individual to refuse and find an alternative site elsewhere as I'm afraid it's another lost income for the site owners and if everyone did the same they would in time have to adjust their policy due to lost revenue. When you pay your pitch fee you are actually paying for a specific plot of land whether you want to erect an awning or not and some guests will rather use a porch awning or canopy rather than a full awning so awnings of any description should actually be included in the pitch fee.
They only charge for dogs, awnings etc. as they know folk will pay. Anyone know if there are dog-free sites out there, as a matter of interest, along the lines of 'kid-free'/adults only?
Sorry but in my opinion, any one asked to pay for a dog and does is a mug ! Its a rip off, and the only way to try and stop rip offs is to INFORM the sites why you will go elsewhere, but if you pay up and say nothing, the owners are laughing all the way to thier banks.
I dont own a dog, and dont like owners who allow them to foul the site without clearing up, but I also find unruly children just as bad.
As a side note, the CCC do not charge for animals,nor awnings unless of course they are that large they would take up an extra pitch area.
I do feel some sites feel they are doing campers a favour by allowing these extra charges, when really its the otherway round, and always remember its the campers who have the money. If you went into a shop and it charged over the top, you would walk out and go elsewhere, so the principle is the same.
As a side note, the CCC do not charge for animals....
So all we've got to do now is to get all the dog-owning-campers,to join the C&CC and in doing so,making the vast majority of other sites,dog free then...
Result!
As for pitch fees and what they're for,well surely,as others have said,it's the overall price that matters...not how it's broken down...
If the use of something which is quite obviously pivotal to to someone's "camping"(a canopy/tarp or awning etc),is going to take the cost above what is acceptable to them,then fair enough,quibble or go elsewhere...
..but if it's just the fact that these have, in affect just been "itemized" on the bill,for example...
Just a reminder that if you use an ACSI low-season discount card, the first dog is free, on sites where they normally charge for dogs. There are an increasing number of ACSI sites in the UK, though mostly down south.
we normally only stay on cc sites, on one at the moment, rookesbury park, masive dog field, we have 2 border collies, when we do book a site, and there is a charge for dogs I just refuse to pay, they can't see them in the motorhome, never had any problems.
I think a charge for dogs is fully justified. A small charge if there is no exercise area to cover cleaning up after them and any extra insurance that the site probably has to pay to cover accidents involving dogs.
But if the owner sets aside a dog walking area, a part of his site that could possibly take at least six outfits, then why shouldn't dog owners pay for the privilege? In this case a higher cost is justified. If he is losing the revenue that could be obtained from a large patch of land there is no reason why the rest of us should make up the loss with increased pitch prices.
Talks of a rip-off are, in my opinion, very unfair and simply show that the person making such accusations hasn't really considered why a charge may well be reasonable.
I do agree though that sites imposing high charges for dogs may well be doing it to deter them!
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Topic: Charges for dogs (
Topic Closed)
