Citing pandemic-era statistics suggesting that 65% of pet owners are likely to bring pets along when they travel in the next year, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton will implement a host of pet program enhancements designed to ensure that guests and their pets have a “paws-itive experience and feel at home on the road.”

In partnership with Mars Petcare, the world’s largest pet care company, new pet-programming and standards will be implemented at the extended-stay brand’s US and Canadian properties, culminating in a promise that by Jan. 1, 2020, all hotels across the portfolio will be 100% pet-friendly and offer consistent pet fees, starting at $50 per stay.

Currently there are more than 500 pet-friendly Home2 Suites hotels for travellers to choose from, in addition to more than 300 pet-friendly Homewood Suites locations. By 2022, pet owners will have 1,000 hotels and 110,000 rooms to choose from across North America, with more than 500 additional hotels and nearly 55,000 rooms in development.

Effective immediately, Hilton guests who check-in with a pet at select Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites locations will have early access to a Mars Petcare digital service pilot program where they can receive timely expert tips to help pets adjust to the new environment.

This first-of-its-kind program for Mars Petcare in the travel industry, will provide guests access to Mars Petcare experts for pet health and wellness and behavioural questions that may come up during their stay. To start, guests at select locations in five certified cities Dallas/Plano, Texas; Jackson, Wyo.; Miami, Fla., Nashville, Tenn. and Phoenix, Ariz. ¬¬– will have access to this service.

“Pets are an integral part of many of our guests’ families, and we’re proud to collaborate with Mars Petcare on the journey to become pet hero brands,” said Bill Duncan, global head, All Suites & Focused Service brands, Hilton. “Our Extended Stay brands offer a home away from home for travellers, and their pets, especially with our spacious accommodations.”

Ikdeep Singh, Regional President, Mars Petcare North America adds, “We’ve seen first-hand the undeniable bond that pet parents have formed with their pets, particularly over the past year (during the pandemic), and we are more committed than ever to our purpose: A Better World for Pets.”