Found an Unregistered Pet on Camera. What to Do Next?
Finding an unregistered pet on your property—especially after spotting it on exterior security cameras—is one of those classic STR gray-area moments.
It happens more often than most hosts expect, and it’s rarely as black-and-white as house rules make it seem.
Sometimes it’s intentional. Sometimes guests genuinely miss the pet fee or approval requirement. Sometimes it’s a service animal. And sometimes… you have to decide whether saying anything is worth it at all.
Let’s break down the smartest ways to handle this situation—whether or not your rental allows pets—and how to decide what to do next.
First: Pause Before You React
Your first instinct might be frustration or concern about fees, damage, or rule-breaking. That’s normal. But before messaging the guest, pause and ask yourself:
- Is the pet causing an issue right now?
- Is this a new listing or a well-established one?
- What matters more in this situation: collecting a pet fee, protecting the property, or preserving the guest experience?
In the grand scheme of things, a pet fee is often far less important than a smooth stay, a 5-star review, and avoiding unnecessary tension.
Option 1: Send a Gentle, Non-Confrontational Message
If you choose to address it during the stay, tone is everything. The goal is awareness and compliance, not accusation.
A simple approach:
- Mention that it came to your attention there may be a pet at the property
- Reiterate your pet rules, especially around furniture, bedding, and cleanup
- Avoid explicitly mentioning cameras or surveillance
This protects your home without making guests feel watched, even though most will quickly infer how you noticed.
Common responses you’ll see:
- “Oh, we didn’t realize there was a separate pet fee”
- “This is a service animal” (no pet fee applies)
- A quick apology and cooperation
- Or flat denial (yes, that happens too)
At that point, it’s up to you to decide how or whether to proceed.
👉 If these situations feel uncomfortable or inconsistent, this is exactly the kind of gray-area guest communication I help hosts navigate strategically.
Option 2: Say Nothing (Yes, Really)
In some cases, experienced hosts choose not to address it mid-stay, especially if:
- The guest is otherwise great
- The stay is short
- The listing is newer
- You want to avoid creating discomfort or defensiveness
Even a polite message can make guests uneasy once they realize you noticed something via cameras, and that discomfort can surface later in reviews.
Sometimes, guests with unregistered pets leave the home spotless, and addressing it wouldn’t have improved the outcome. This is a judgment call, and a very common one.
Fees vs. Reviews: What Really Matters?
Here’s a truth most seasoned hosts learn the hard way:
A pet fee is rarely worth risking a bad review.
If there’s no damage and house rules are respected, many hosts prioritize:
- Guest satisfaction
- Review protection
- Repeat bookings
You can always assess after checkout whether to request a pet fee or additional cleaning costs if warranted.
What About Service Animals?
If a guest states the animal is a service animal, pet fees do not apply. That’s non-negotiable. You also cannot request documentation to prove service animal status.
This is another reason some hosts wait until after checkout—raising it mid-stay can quickly become awkward or contentious.
New Listing vs. Established Listing: Your Risk Tolerance Matters
Your response should also depend on where your listing is in its lifecycle.
New listing:It’s usually smarter to avoid confrontation. Retaliatory reviews can hurt far more than a missed pet fee. If it’s an Airbnb booking, you can also wait until after the 14-day review window closes to request fees if appropriate.
Established listing with strong reviews:You have more leverage. Many experienced hosts are more comfortable enforcing rules directly, even knowing there’s a chance of pushback.
As your listing matures, your tolerance and strategy naturally changes.
The Bottom Line
There is no single “right” answer when you find an unregistered pet.
It’s always a host decision.
Ask yourself:
- What matters most right now?
- What timing makes sense?
- Will addressing it improve the outcome, or create unnecessary friction?
Knowing when to speak up and when to let it go is one of the quiet skills that separates rookie hosts from seasoned operators.
If you want help building clear house rules, guest communication frameworks, and decision-making systems that protect both your property and your reviews, book a free discovery call with Savvy Breezy STR Consulting. I help hosts stop reacting—and start operating with confidence.