USVI-On-Line

What about bringing your beloved dogs with you when you visit St. John? We have two small chihuahuas that we can barely ever part with. They are very close to us. I have read that it is not a good idea to bring dogs to St. John. Some say there are too many ticks, fleas, mosquitos??? (even though these pests are everywhere). Others say that there are not many establishments (i.e. restaurants, cafes, bars, shops), although outdoors, that allow dogs. What if one rents a home/villa and stays mainly there with their dogs? Does that sound do-able for a vacation? Also, our dogs are o.k. alone at a home for a few hours here and there in order for us to go to places that do not allow dogs. Any thoughts? Thank you.

Without a doubt, DO NOT bring your dog

1. They are not allowed on National Park Beaches
2. Most villas do not have central air and if they are not used to the heat, it is not a good idea to leave them in a villa with only fans
3. Dogs are not allowed in any restaurants and most stores
4. Most villas do not allow pets

I love my dogs. We hire a housesitter and they are happy to be at home in their own space.

Xislandgirl wrote:Without a doubt, DO NOT bring your dog

1. They are not allowed on National Park Beaches
2. Most villas do not have central air and if they are not used to the heat, it is not a good idea to leave them in a villa with only fans
3. Dogs are not allowed in any restaurants and most stores
4. Most villas do not allow pets

I love my dogs. We hire a housesitter and they are happy to be at home in their own space.

+1 - Housesitter & Doggie Day Care is by FAR the best and ONLY option IMHO

Wow - I did not know all of this!! O.K. I will look into your advice. What a shame though - I wish our world was a little more pet-friendly (since, in my opinion, dogs are nicer than alot of humans ). Maybe I'll get lucky and find a beachfront air-conditioned villa where I can go swimming with the dogs and they can stay cool. Thanks again.

On another note:
Electricity on STJ is extremely expensive. I would venture to guess that any villa that has central air does not project that the villa would have it running all day. In most villas, they ask that you turn it off during the day to reduce costs. just another thing to think about

I have a dog the has full human status in our house. We travel much, and he goes many, many, places with us. He is a perfectly behaved traveller, and I would love to take him to st john. However we do not. It is not well suited for dogs. ie. taxi's, rental cars, ferrys, and pet friendly lodging. Logistically yours would be easier, because ours is a german shepherd, but it would still be difficult. Also, there are very few beach side villa's or villa's that would allow dogs. Most villas are mountain side with views of the sea. And dogs are not allowed on the beaches. Again, easier to hide a chi. than a german shepherd. Don't get me wrong, we love STJ and are going for trip # 10 this year, but not a dog friendly vaca spot. However if we were moving to STJ, I'd take Max in an instant.

I think you are getting some really sound advice. As a fellow dog person (we take ours on all kinds of adventures, hiking, camping, fishing, boating)
I've never once considered taking him to STJ on vacation. He's happier at home with the kids and sitter (we don't take them to STJ either )

If travelling without our your pets are not possible, then maybe STJ might not be the right place to visit?
But if you can leave them home and taken care of, and still need a pet "Fix", I'm sure the Animal care center/Shelter of STJ would love some of your time or even a donation.

We are villa people, spending most of our time in St. John relaxing and enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty. Our two small dogs have travelled to St. John with us five times. They are extremely well behaved and have stayed with us in four different villas with owner and management approval. Depends on your life style since this would not work if you are out and about all day.

I love St. John wrote:Wow - I did not know all of this!! O.K. I will look into your advice. What a shame though - I wish our world was a little more pet-friendly (since, in my opinion, dogs are nicer than alot of humans ). Maybe I'll get lucky and find a beachfront air-conditioned villa where I can go swimming with the dogs and they can stay cool. Thanks again.

The sand beaches are within the national park, so there aren't houses for rent beachfront, and even if there were, you'd still be within national park lands where dogs aren't allowed

And as others said, it is customary to turn off the a/c when you leave the villa.

It kills us to, having to leave our dogs behind but you can always get your canine fix visiting and walking the awesome dogs that need forever homes at STJ ACC, I plan to get my "fix" when I'm on island at the end of the month

Here's a couple of other problems - the terrain is dangerous, many decks have big drop offs (and small dogs could squeeze under or between railings) and there's no place safe to walk them because the roads are scary...

I love my dog and he is perfectly behaved, but St. John is about the last place I think he'd have fun.