Just wondered where others have stayed when arriving in Vancouver with the dog?

She is quite a large dog, about German Shepard size, she will travel about 1 day after us. We have no one she could stay with until we find a permanent rental and we would not want to or be happy to put her in kennels.

We don't really want to get a car rental when we arrive as we hope to buy a car quite soon after arriving (local taxi firm will pick her up from airport with us to bring her back to the rental).

Perhaps somewhere outside of main city centre but still within easy reach of main Vancouver city, e.g. Via sky train or bus? (I know dogs are not allowed on public transport, this is for us only to have easy access to the city). Have found lots of dog day care centres (not like kennels more like a cresh for dogs) good for when we need to get things organised without the dog. Also it would be great if the rental had an outside space, not massive just somewhere she could do her business if needed in the middle of the night so I don't have to physically put clothes on and take her outside the front of the building, so no high rises with tiny balconys please as will not be suitable??

What have others done / where did you stay and for how long? Not sure how long we should get the holiday rental for e.g. 2 weeks or a month to enable us enough time to buy a car / find a more perm rental?

Thanks all

Good luck. It can be difficult to find a rental that will take pets. You should PM 4 bells, I think she rented part of a house sight unseen in east van that took pets, but it was pretty dodgy.

I have found a few holiday homes online that take pets, from sites like owners direct etc but was just wondering what others have done or where they have stayed and how long they needed on average to find a more perm rental, we wont be in a position to buy for a few years and that also gives us a chance to make sure we are in the right area etc.

As for a more perm rental defiantly outside of the city and must have a garden.
A lot of sites like Craig's list has a check box to specifically search for pet friendly rentals, I would never rent long term without visiting the place first.

Rentals with large pets is going to be a problem. Anyone with a nice home for rent is unlikely to want big dogs in it. Maybe get used to the idea of kennels for the short term in any event.

Try https://www.padmapper.com/ as it appears to be pretty good - you can select 'more filters' where you can designate "dog".

I had 2 collies and faced the same issue, so arrived a week ahead of Mrs Rich. Purchased a property, couple of vehicles and sorted out basic furnishings prior to her and the dogs arrival. You can acheive a lot in a few days if you're organized.

I wouldn't rule out kennels for a couple of weeks.

We put our dog in kennels (Scotland) for a couple of weeks when we came over on our recce trip. I hated the idea at first, but my parents aren't strong enough to hold on to him for walks, so we had no choice.

After two weeks he was absolutely fine. They commented that he was the cleanest dog they had ever had, never soiling his jail cell once, lol. Remember, a dog will sleep eat and crap anywhere. They don't need central heating and soft furnishings. As long as they get some attention every day they are generally happy, which kennels provide. They are run by dog owners and dog lovers, so give it a thought.

I've been going through the same thing in my head over and over for the last year and a half, and knowing the dog is ticked off the list on arrival is a huge plus.

Thanks all for your comments, I know it’s not going to be easy, there are a few places that will except dogs in the short term when we first arrive, even a lot of the hotels do, and I hear that it can be easier to get a longer term rental with a dog outside of the city? After all a lot of us have dogs so it not unachievable??

We re rented sort of unseen from Craigslist . Luckily had someone here to have a quick look at it. Yes it was run down and students but a good application of bleach and it was functional for a few months! However it was one of only a few we found willing to take dogs. But have noticed renters are becoming more lenient.

We were right on Commercial Dr and had a rear yard. However not all yards are fully fenced, or even yards . They can be taken up with large garages or even a small (ha!) lane way house.

accent inns van airport. they wree more than happy (for a $10 day fee) to let us have our hoofing great big doggy with us in the ground floor room. good rates too. they also have a shuttle bus and if you prebook with the dog they will make sure it is empty except you so no one is bothered by the pooch.

weve stayed there a few times. also if they are full the travelodge on the other side of the lions gate bridge (up by capilano, so quite a trek) allow pets in the rooms too.

also after the flight, prepare to e waiting up to 4 hours for them to inspect your pet and then have coffee while you wait for them to stamp the paperwork. that makes me really mad, considering the poor baby has been locked in for 16hrs+ by this point and is desperate for a wee.
just dont think it will be a quick stamp and away you go. GGGRRR