Chaz

K.O.A., that's Kampgrounds Of America, does not allow Doberman Pinschers, and other *dangerous breeds* to stay in their campgrounds.

For absolutely no good reason.

I was told this by the manager of the Cloverdale (CA) KOA after I had already spent one night there and was about to stay another.

Pam, the host, tells me it's a *Family Image* issue. According to KOA, none of us Doberman owners have families.

She also explained it was a liability insurance issue. Anytime you hear this, it's almost always a flat out lie. I know. I useed to employ that one a bunch when I was tending bar (I used to make up my own "liquor laws" too).

But because Pam was kind enough to not "dis-invite" me (their term for throwing me out on my a--), I'll extend the benifit of the doubt her way. First thing one learns on day-1 of any customer service job is that The Customer Is King. When it comes to buying liability insurance, KOA is The Customer. The only reason KOA has a policy with asinine restrictions is because that's exactly the way they want it.

I explained to Pam that Mensa is the world's best behaved dog, and Pam said she was certain that was true, but because we look like others who may have caused problems, we're not welcome.

How is this different from profiling?

I've contacted KOA by e-mail. And tomorrow (Monday), if I am anywhere near a post office, I'm firing off a letter to their President to let him know how I feel.

If anyone else contacts KOA, especially the Cloverdale CA "K"ampground, please remember they cut me a break when they let me stay until morning instead of bouncing me out of here last night.

Mensa is far-and-above the best behaved dog in the entire campground, yet she is the one singled out for critical attention by two members of KOA staff.

Lexus

That's terrible Chaz.... I'm appalled at their behavior towards Mensa in particular. What is their dangerous breed list, out of curiousity? The usual I presume, rotts, dobes, pitts, chows, and GSD?

Please keep us updated as to any answer you receive back....

So.... dobermans are anti-family.... hmmmm, maybe they forgot to let the breed as a whole know that and the families that keep them...

Edited to add... I did search the traveling with pets area of their website Tips for Traveling with your Pets Courtesy of KOA Campgrounds , and no where does it say that certain breeds could be resticted. But then when I went into reserving a KOA place then I found a link in regards to certain campgrounds may not allow certain breeds... They sure don't make it very easy to notice.... it is so hidden that I could see how people would view them as (all) pet friendly by surfing their site bc/ that's how they come across at first glance.

__________________

lolonurse

Sorry, but I have to agree with KOA - it's very easy to tell by the photo you use for your avatar, that she is obviously uncontrollably silly - er, um, I mean vicious. lois

Chaz

I was told it was a "blanket ban", which applies to all KOA's. Then I was told it was a different policy in each campground, depending on *insurance* (which triggers my BS detector).

Either way, the guy who yelled at me for having the nerve to bring a Doberman into his campground pointed to the window of the office to where he said the rule was posted. I couldn't find it, and when I asked him to show me where on the paper he was pointing to it said anything, anything at all, about Doberman Pinschers, he walked away in a huff.

I was planing on staying at the KOA close to the Pt Arena Lighthouse tonight, but I'll probably end up back in another Rathole-6 , I mean Motel-6.

Lexus

Eeeeh, well that isn't what their (concealed IMO) section of their website says, so your BS radar has good reason to go off...

The pet policy can not be found unless you actually do a search on a specific place to camp. You have to click on a state, then click on a place, then the policy is a link on the bottom. Grrr... KOA Campgrounds Are Pet Friendly

Some visitors enjoy sharing the pleasures of camping with their dogs or cats. To ensure that all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience, KOA has established some guidelines.

Before You Go:
Call ahead. Check with the campground about its specific pet policies. Some don't allow pets in Kamping Kabins, for example, or may have limited pet units. Others don't accept particular breeds that insurance providers have identified as having a history of aggression. Bring your helper. Service dogs are welcomed at all KOA Kampgrounds. (Leash and aggressive behavior rules apply.)
When You Arrive:
Good behavior is required. Dogs of any breed that are hostile or aggressive will be asked to leave the campground, along with their owners.
Bring the leash. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside their owners' vehicles or rental units. Do not leave a tethered dog unattended.
Remember manners. Constant barking bothers other campers. If your pet is too vocal, you'll need to find other accommodations.

What a jerk....

Please enjoy the rest of your trip regardless And keep that camera going!

__________________

Chaz

On KOA dog rules;

"Others don't accept particular breeds that insurance providers have identified as having a history of aggression."

Not all insurance providers make that distinction. KOA is free to use one of those providers, so the "insurance made us do it" excuse is simlpy a canard.

"Good behavior is required. Dogs of any breed that are hostile or aggressive will be asked to leave the campground, along with their owners."

Not the Min-Pin who was snarling and barking, very aggressively, at KIDS. Not one camp staff had one thing to say to them all weekend.

"Remember manners. Constant barking bothers other campers. If your pet is too vocal, you'll need to find other accommodations. "

Not the group with the Shepherd mix. Every time someone walks past their camp, he barks like crazy. Not one staff member has addressed that one all weekend.

"Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside their owners' vehicles or rental units. Do not leave a tethered dog unattended."

Six feet? Mensa is the ONLY dog in this campground with a leash that conforms to regulations. All day I see dogs tied to trees unattended. Not one staff member has one thing to say to them.

These rules are all written down, posted in multiple places, and are very easy to abide by.

But which dog is singled out for critical attention by camp staff? Mensa. The one dog who behaves herself and causes no problems for anybody.

And they had create a secret rule to nail us!

dobesanddragons

It is stupid. We have also came across this with KOA, however, they have "made exceptions" for us everytime. There will be a time when they won't though.

__________________
Our aspirations are our possibilities -- Robert Browning

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything -- Unknown

Chaz

On KOA dog rules;

"Others don't accept particular breeds that insurance providers have identified as having a history of aggression."

Not all insurance providers make that distinction. KOA is free to use one of those providers, so the "insurance made us do it" excuse is simlpy a canard.

"Good behavior is required. Dogs of any breed that are hostile or aggressive will be asked to leave the campground, along with their owners."

Not the Min-Pin who was snarling and barking, very aggressively, at KIDS. Not one camp staff had one thing to say to them all weekend.

"Remember manners. Constant barking bothers other campers. If your pet is too vocal, you'll need to find other accommodations. "

Not the group with the Shepherd mix. Every time someone walks past their camp, he barks like crazy. Not one staff member has addressed that one all weekend.

"Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside their owners' vehicles or rental units. Do not leave a tethered dog unattended."

Six feet? Mensa is the ONLY dog in this campground with a leash that conforms to regulations. All day I see dogs tied to trees unattended. Not one staff member has one thing to say to them.

These rules are all written down, posted in multiple places, and are very easy to abide by.

But which dog is singled out for critical attention by camp staff? Mensa. The one dog who behaves herself and causes no problems for anybody.

And they had create a secret rule to nail us!

RedFawnRising

Bring your helper. Service dogs are welcomed at all KOA Kampgrounds.

Ah. This would be interesting. My Service Dog *is* a Doberman.

Too bad I'm not going camping any this year--that would be a fun conversation with staff.

And hey, if you have contact info you'd like to share, I'll be glad to shoot off a well-written, politely-phrased email to higher-ups, on this issue.

__________________
It takes more than a baby and a box to make a normal monkey.—Harry F. Harlow

Julie W

This whole thing just royally pisses me off. No KOA anywhere will ever be seeing me, and I'm going to spread this around to everyone I know.

__________________