Fur still flying about pets in hotel

The letters from pet owners and allergy sufferers reflect the misunderstanding between these two groups.

What many pet owners do not understand is that, unlike most food allergies, pet allergens are airborne and not easily avoided.

Most pet owners are considerate people but nonetheless are often ignorant of other people’s health concerns. As an allergist for more than three decades, I have seen many who are more readily prepared to neuter their spouses than to part with their pets.

Since pet allergens can be life threatening to those who are susceptible, simply providing pet-free rooms is not an acceptable solution. It would be better for hotels to provide a separate wing with its own ventilation system and entry for pet owners.

We really need a Rosetta Stone to bridge this gap of miscommunication.

John T. Chiu

Newport Beach

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Can you survive your next hotel visit? What with yellowish dog urine stains sprayed on the corners of bedspreads, cloth chairs and draperies; flecks of dog fecal matter scattered around the rugs and underneath the bed; and dog-borne fleas and ticks in the mattresses and pillows? (“Ask About Hotel Rules for Fido,” Feb. 2). Even today’s luxury hotels cannot pass the white-glove test.

The next time you check into a hotel room, have the manager check out the room before you tuck yourself in for a good night’s sleep. The thousands of hotels, motels and inns across the United States that accept guests with pets need to readdress their policy. Dogs, except for service animals, do not belong in any hotel room.

Carole Wade

Los Angeles

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