For Immediate Release Media Contact: Pam Jones or Marjorie Beenders
September 20, 2010 Phone: 573-636-8282 « Email: pam@tbwgroup.net
Bring the Whole Family, Including Furry Friends
to Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO - When the Meyer family of Hermann, Mo., vacationed at the Lake of the Ozarks, Zach and dad played in the pool, while Jackson and mom relaxed in the room. Zach is an energetic 5-year old boy and Jackson is a mellow 2-year old beagle/Jack Russell terrier mix. The Meyers are typical of families who increasingly travel with their pets to the Lake of the Ozarks and other vacation destinations. In fact, according to travelhorizons™, more than 49 percent of U.S. adult leisure travelers consider their pet to be part of the family and 18 percent of U.S. adult leisure travelers usually bring their pets along when they travel. Recognizing this growing trend, more than 40 lodging facilities at the Lake of the Ozarks welcome Fido, Fifi and even Featherhead (if he’s in a cage).
Policies regarding pets vary among lodging properties. And most properties that do welcome pets prefer that a reservation be made in advance for the pet as well as the people. It’s worth it to check in advance to see if your Lake lodging choice is pet-friendly.
Where The Pets Are
“More and more people are traveling with their pets to the Lake of the Ozarks,” says Jeff Wohlt, general manager at the Inn at Grand Glaize in Osage Beach. “In a single week this summer we had a beautiful Sheltie named Tony and a very entertaining monkey.” The Inn has designated pet-friendly rooms and charges $25 per pet per night, “because afterwards we clean each room very thoroughly,” Wohlt says.
The Inn prefers that travelers let them know when a pet will be coming. “That way we’ll know where each pet is, and its name, so we can greet it and help it feel at home,” Wohlt says. The Inn provides dog bedding for use in the room and bags to be used in the potty-break area outdoors, where pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets may not be left alone in guest rooms.
“We’ve had very good results from our policies,” Wohlt says. “But most people who travel with their pets are responsible and prepared. I truly believe welcoming pets has been a great advantage for us.
At Dogwood Hills Resort in Osage Beach, Sales Manager K. C. Kirtley says, “Our theory is pets are family members and we don’t think any family member should be left at home!” The resort charges a fee of $25 per pet per visit. Each dog receives a biscuit at check-in, or any time it comes to visit at the front desk. “We prefer a reservation in advance because we have designated pet rooms, as well as a designated walking area with a fire hydrant,” Kirtley says. “Once the pet’s here, we ask owners to take it for a walk to accommodate housekeeping. And after a pet leaves, we do extensive cleaning in that room. But pets that travel with their owners are for the most part very well behaved.”
Kirtley adds, “We’ve had interesting pets here including a parakeet, some kitty cats and one time we had three Newfoundlands in one room! There was a dog show a few years ago at The Lodge of Four Seasons and several of the participants stayed with us, as well as a lot of dogs participating in the annual Canine Cannonball, (a competitive dog-jumping event). So we’ve hosted a lot of furry pets here!” Kirtley says when a pet leaves a toy behind, resort staff always send it back. “And if a pet we know passes away, we always send a sympathy card. We say our guests’ pets are our guests as well.”
Kirtley believes more people are traveling with their pets these days. “It seems that people are staying closer to home for their vacations,” she says. “As a result they can take their pets with them, because that means the pet doesn’t have to stay in the car for hours and hours.”
Because so many people travel with their pets, Econo Lodge in Osage Beach has designated two entire buildings—a total of 20 rooms (smoking and non-smoking) -- as pet-friendly. Kathy Norris, guest services representative, says, “It seems like something people really want. They don’t want to kennel their pets.” The hotel charges $20 per pet per day (up to seven days). Leashed pets can be walked on any grassy areas around the property. “Mostly we have dogs staying here, and we’ve had a cat and caged ferrets,” Norris says. Hotel staff require a dog-owner’s contact information if they’re going to be gone and their dog barks too much. “But we’ve never had to call anyone,” Norris says. “Usually the pets are pretty well behaved and their owners, too.”
There’s no deposit required at the Golden Door Motel in Osage Beach, but owner Geniece Tyler says she will assess pet owners for any damage, which happens very seldom. She also says she has had to “say something” to a pet owner about his dog’s barking “just once in more than 20 years.” She adds, “If we have a barker we handle it individually. Mostly our dog guests don’t bark. They’re good travelers and used to it.”
Tyler prefers a reservation for a pet but she’ll allow those who show up if their owners are passing through the Lake area. “We do ask that dogs walk on a leash around the property but we have a lot of woods behind us where they can play,” she says. In addition to dogs and cats, Golden Door has hosted a macaw, as well as a pot-bellied pig and horses (the latter two “roomed” outside, Tyler adds). “I think as people get older and become empty nesters, if they travel a lot they can’t just leave their pets behind, so they bring them along,” she says. “And we are happy to have them here.”
Unusual pets also have stayed at Lone Oak Point Resort in Sunrise Beach, where owner Terri Humphrey has welcomed a parrot, gerbils and hamsters. The resort will accommodate pets in the off-season, Labor Day to Memorial Day. A deposit is not required but owners will be assessed for any damages. “I used to say small pets only but now we welcome any well-behaved pets, regardless of their size,” Humphrey says. She prefers an advance reservation, and asks that dogs stay leashed outdoors. “There’s a lot of green space here where dogs can walk,” she says. “Pets will have a good time.” humphrey notes, “Most pet owners are very responsible. I think mostly older couples travel with their dogs and treat them like their children.”
Dogwood Acres Resort in Sunrise Beach always has welcomed pets, says owner Lindy Steinmann. Pet reservations are preferred, and Steinmann requests a $75 refundable deposit that’s mailed back after guests and pets leave. “I think I’ve kept it maybe once or twice,” she says. Dogs must be leashed or well-behaved in the front of the property. “But we have six wooded acres all around us where dogs can run free and also a great area where dogs love to play in the Lake,” she notes. “We just had two big golden Labs here and they had the best time. A family is here now with a chocolate Lab that’s playing in the Lake!”
Steinmann says, “If you travel with your pet it’s because you love it and take good care of it, and you know your pet will travel well.”
And at The Resort at Port Arrowhead in Lake Ozark, one of the few full-service resorts in the area that allows pets, the Meyer family especially enjoyed their vacation because Jackson could come along. They paid the Resort’s $12 per-day, per-dog fee plus a refundable deposit. “We kept Jackson in a kennel in the room while we were out and he was on a leash when we went outside,” says Paula Meyer. “He enjoyed going for walks around the Resort’s nice grounds and we got a kick out of the doggie-designated area with a fire hydrant.”
Away For The Day
If your lodging at the Lake doesn’t allow pets, or if you have a day-long outing planned and don’t want to leave your pet alone in your room, call Ladies & Tramps in Osage Beach, a full-service pet facility located behind the Stone Crest Shopping Center. Opened by owner Karen Kelly more than three years ago, Ladies & Tramps is the perfect place for pooches to have fun (and use up some energy) while owners are out. “We offer structured activities that help develop their social skills and agility,” Kelly says, noting someone is with the dogs at all times, indoors or out in the big fenced play yard. Pets also enjoy the swimming pool, toys, treats and nap time.
Kelly charges $18.50 a day or offers weekly daycare rates. Doors open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. A Canine Cab is available to pick up and deliver pets within a 15-mile radius for $10 one way. All dogs, no matter what breed, age or size, are welcome, Kelly says. “We have a Great Dane and a Chihuahua who come here and play very well together. But there’s a special area for small, fragile dogs and for the geriatrics.” Reservations are preferred by not required—however, you must show proof that your pet is up to date on vaccinations.
Ladies & Tramps also offers pet boarding. “A family camped at Lake of the Ozarks State Park and it was too hot for their dog, so they boarded it here for a week,” Kelley says. “They’d come over and take the dog out for a walk and for ice cream.” She notes, “Boarding your pet here just makes so much more sense than putting it in a kennel or leaving it at the vet’s. Here you can come visit your pet and just pick it up on your way back from the Lake.”
Boarding areas include the Princess Suite, the Bachelor Pad and the Lodge of Four Paws, Pan-Tar-A and the Sports Room with a race-car theme. These luxury accommodations feature TVs, radios, VCRs (where pets can watch videos of their owners). Boarding rates are $26-$34, including daycare. The 5,000-sq.-ft. facility also includes offices, a thrift store, on-site veterinarian and complete grooming services.
Next time, bring your pets along to the Lake of the Ozarks where they are sure to be welcomed. For more information about pet-friendly lodging, dining, shopping, events and attractions at Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, contact the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau at 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253), or visit www.funlake.com.
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