Service animals

You do not book a service animal as a pet

When you search, leave the Pets counter at zero if you are travelling with a service animal. The counter exists so hosts can plan for pets; a service animal is working equipment, not a pet, and adding one would filter out properties that are required to accommodate you.

What counts as a service animal

A service animal is a dog — or in some jurisdictions another animal — individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy animals are treated differently and may be subject to a host's pet policy. If you are unsure which applies to you, contact support before booking.

What a host may and may not ask

A host may ask whether the animal is required because of a disability and what task it has been trained to perform. A host may not ask about your disability, require documentation or certification, charge a pet fee for a service animal, or decline your booking because you travel with one.

When a host can decline

Accommodation can be refused only in narrow circumstances — for example where the animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action, where it is not house-trained, or where accommodating it would fundamentally alter the nature of the property. Cost and other guests' allergies or fear of animals are not valid reasons.

Telling your host

You are not obliged to disclose a service animal in advance, but many guests find it smooths arrival — particularly for a longer stay. Message your host after booking if you would like to.

If a host declines you because of a service animal, or asks for documentation, report it to support. We treat it as a Content Policy violation.