Posted: June 21, 2008, 5 a.m. EDT
Pet concierge services, plush cat and dog beds, food and water bowls are among the luxuries that Hilton Hotels and Resorts plans to provide by summer. For the not-so-lucky dogs and cats who await adoption at shelters, Hilton announced a new partnership with Pet Shelters Across America (PSAA), a sheltering organization that finds homes for animals in need.
PSAA helped Hilton develop the upcoming Pet Friendly program in part by offering pet travel tips and vaccination information. In turn, Hilton will donate $500,000 over three years to support the animal organization’s more than 70 member shelter locations across the United States.
In addition, various Hiltons across the nation will offer PSAA members sheets and towels, one of the most common needs of pet shelters. Hilton’s sponsorship will also help support PSAA’s efforts in promoting animal adoptions from humane organizations; offering subsidized spay and neuter programs; helping to microchip animals so they can be reunited with their owners in the event they get lost; and encouraging best practices in human and animal health programs.
“With Hilton’s support,” said Kathryn Wright Warnick, PSAA president, “our shelters will be able to better care for millions of lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals, and will have additional resources at our disposal to educate and encourage children and adults on the humane treatment of animals and how to become responsible pet owners.”
To accommodate hotel guests traveling with pets, Hilton recently launched Hilton: Pet Friendly, a program designed to ease pet travel. Beginning this summer, cats and dogs are welcome at most Hilton hotels and resorts throughout the United States and Canada. The program will roll out internationally later this year.
“When we created Hilton’s Pet Friendly program,” said Jeff Diskin, Hilton’s senior vice president of brand management, “we recognized the importance of aligning ourselves with an organization that provides shelter to pets that don’t have the luxury of a caring owner or a warm bed. Through our sponsorship of PSAA we are helping provide shelter to pets in need and in turn learning how to be better hosts to our furry, four-legged hotel guests.”
Guests can visit www.hilton.com/pets or contact the hotel at which they would like to stay for pet-specific services.