Pet Policy Page

(Revised August 2008)

Our dogs call Anchors Hold their private paradise. They can frolic in the waves, chase sandpipers up and down the shore, cool off in our private swimming pool or explore the canals and back roads. As our border collie Jedi puts it, “sniffs of a lifetime”. Because the 4x4 beach sports none of the crowds of the paved ways in Corolla, dogs enjoy an unmatched freedom to do what they love best. From the owner’s perspective, we offer gated deck areas, a large escape proof breezy, shady dog run, dog bowls, bedding, sofa covers, a large dog crate, two soft crates (large and medium), tennis ball chuckers, tennis balls and other amenities that mean that you don't have to haul all the toys and other extras that never quite seem to fit into your car, truck or van. We charge an extra $250.00 deposit per dog that will be refunded if house is left in the same condition as found and “broom swept clean”. Email for requirements for small or caged pets. We reserve the right to restrict the number of pets at the beach house during any individual week. Our policy statement is geared towards dogs, but other pets are welcome.

We are delighted to enrich your vacation experience by allowing you to bring your pets, but we ask that you treat our house like your house.  We offer the following guidelines and policies:

1.  Dogs should not be left unattended or unsupervised in the house for any period of time.  Please have an adult in the house or crate your dog. We have created a gated area on the upper deck for your convenience. We also have a nice fenced dog run under the front steps to leave your dog outside. Please hose it down before leaving and use the pooper scooper provided if necessary.

2.  If your dog chews, please provide appropriate chew sticks or bones for your pet at the beach house.

3.  Any pet staying at Anchors Hold should be on a flea and tick preventative such as Frontline Plus, Advantix or a similar product.  There are ticks in North Carolina, including deer ticks, and we don't want or need a flea infestation in the house. All dogs must have rabies and distemper vaccinations.
4.  Our guest dogs should be spayed or neutered. Unfortunately whole male dogs usually feel compelled to mark their territory and whole females attract the local male dogs for miles around. If this is a problem for you, let us know.

5.  We suggest shutting the bedroom doors during the daylight hours.

6.  Please do not leave uneaten dog or pet food on the floor overnight.  It attracts insects and mice to the property.

7.  We prefer not to have pets on the furniture, but if this is not an option, we have five aqua colored fleece blankets to cover the sofas and/or chairs in the house. There are located in hallway closet near the front door with other doggy supplies. Please take these off the furniture at your departure, and either leave them on the washing machine on the lower level or start a wash prior to your departure.

8.  No dogs on the beds please.  Please encourage your dogs to sleep on the floor or crate them if you prefer.

9.  No dogs in the hot tub for their safety and yours.  Ditto for indoor Jacuzzi tubs.

10.  We ask that you use the either hose near the swimming pool or the extendable shower nozzle in one of the outdoor showers (if your pampered pooch insists on a warm water) to rinse off your dog (1) before entering the gated pool area and (2) before entering the house.

11.  Please lightly towel dry the dog before letting him/her into the house. We have provided some old but serviceable beach towels in the hallway closet for this purpose. Just leave a dry towel on a hook inside of the front door for this purpose. Good for the kids too!

12. Please clean up after your dogs. If they go way out on the dune to do their business, no problem, but if they poop right in the front yard, please use our pooper scooper to carry the waste out to the brush area in front of the house. It is not necessary to bag it.

13. Dogs are more than welcome to cool off or swim in the pool, but please be sensible.  Do not let a sandy dog into the pool, make certain your dog has relieved itself, and please supervise your dog.  There is only one way that they can exit the pool and the steps are fiberglass and do not provide much traction for dogs.

14. .  We have dogs ourselves and understand that accidents can and do happen.  If your dog has an accident in the house, you will find a special enzyme solution (for odor) and carpet cleaner (to prevent staining) under the kitchen sink.  Our carpeting is very durable. Please use these products promptly.  If there is a slight stain or the area needs further cleaning, please put a white piece of paper with an arrow on the floor near the spot prior to leaving, and our maid service will be able to attend to it.

15. .  Dogs are allowed on the beach Carova.  Use common sense in off leash activities.  There is very little vehicular traffic, but vehicles moving through sand roads and on beach areas cannot slow down easily.  This area is also a wild horse refuge, and you and your dog will see wild horses on the trails, canals and the beach.  Make certain that your dog does not attack or disturb the horses.  The stallions will kick them if they sense that a foal is in danger.

16. . Please understand that your pet is your responsibility while at Anchors Hold and by agreeing to our terms and conditions, you expressly agree to hold us harmless and waive any and all liability for injury to your pet.