“Hotel amenities include a 24-hour gym, three on-site restaurants, and an adoptable dog mascot.” If only this were true for all hotels. Many hotels have adopted owning pet mascots. Some of these hotels include Matilda the Algonquin Cat from the Algonquin Hotel in New York City to Higgins from Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Dallas who has been named their Director of Pet Relations.
There is one hotel in Rancho Mirage, California where you don’t have to leave the furry mascot when you check out. Instead, you can take them home and introduce them to their new permanent hotel.
Animal Samaritans, a no-kill shelter in Palm Springs Valley and Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa have partnered up to form the Dog Samaritans Adoption Project. The hotel lobby at the resort has been transformed into a temporary home for dogs in need of their forever family.
A team of caregivers take the dogs for walks and introduce them to the guests all while seeing to their general wellbeing while they wait for their perfect matched applicant to stay at the hotel. The furry guests are pampered with dog beds while they patiently wait.
On August 26, Westin and Dog Samaritan will be celebrating their success of almost 50 adoptions on National Dog Day. The partnership has only been working together for a little more than a year.
Families of those who have adopted a forever friend through the program are invited to return
for a “Yappy Hour” celebration, but the public is also welcome to participate. Both humans and dogs will be able to come together around the water bowl over cocktails, appetizers and even a portrait booth for a lasting memory.
This is one pooch party you don’t want to miss.
Lauren Spiler is a freelance journalist based in Athens, Georgia, but most call her Spiler.