What To Do With Rover

Some folks would no more leave their dog at home than they would one of their children. Hey, Hilton Head is a family oriented resort destination, and ain’t Rover part of the family too? Roughly half of Hilton Heads accommodations are pet friendly, including hotels, private resorts, and private rental villas and condos; just ask, it’s easy to find a place that suits! Most places do, understandably, require a pet deposit, which is sometimes refundable and sometimes not. Be advised however, no matter where you are staying, “housekeeping” is not going to go into your room, suite, or whatever, as long as the dog is in there! If you need clean sheets keep the dog with you until the maids are finished. If you can’t take him with you, and must have the room cleaned, there is at least one “doggie day care" available, as well as private pet sitting services, and a few vets that offer the service.

Restaurants on the island are as pet friendly as the law allows them to be; basically, if they offer outside dining your dog is welcome. Most will bring a bowl of water for your pet, and if you want him to enjoy your left over’s they will bring a special doggie plate just for that. There is even one pet shop that sells home made, gourmet doggie delicacies and sponsors a weekly “yappy hour”! Lots of stores and shops will allow your dog inside, but please be considerate, most of these stores are smallish and stocked to the max; not exactly the place for a one-hundred pound lab to be nosing around, if you can’t carry your pet in your arms then wait until you have an opportunity to go in the store alone. Even the islands one and only mall advertises that they want you to bring your dog in; they would much rather the pet be in the store than roasting in a parked care, just please pick up in little “accidents”.

Dogs are more than welcome in the parks and on the beaches, however the rules change with the seasons. From Memorial Day weekend until after labor day weekend, dogs may run free on the beach before 10:00 AM, from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM they are not allowed on the beaches, after 5:00 they must be on a leash. During the “off” season, from Labor Day weekend until Memorial Day weekend dogs are allowed on the beach any time, but must be on a leash between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. No matter where or when you are, with there sometimes being as many as one-hundred-fifty-thousand people on the island, it just makes sense that you be required to pick up after your pet, bags are provided in all public places, and it’s a good idea to just grab a few and keep them with you; rather than having to go look for one when the time comes!