What a PawScore actually measures

Pet-friendly is an easy word to print and a hard promise to keep. PawScore is how TravelTail makes the promise specific. A high number means the listing is clear and the setup is thoughtful. It does not mean every pet will be happy there.

The checklist

• Policy: species, count, and a size limit you can read without emailing anyone.
• Money: pet fee or a plain statement that there is none, before you request dates.
• Sleep: where the animal is expected to rest, including crates and blankets.
• Floors and furniture: what can survive muddy paws, and what is off limits.
• Outside: a yard, a deck, or a real walk measured in minutes, not adjectives.
• Neighborhood: stairs, bikes, heat, ferries, and the other facts that change the day.
• Host notes: temperament they can handle, and hours a pet can be left.

Each featured stay on TravelTail is scored from that list. You can see the result on cards and, in more detail, on the stay page. The Fjord Cabin is a high score because the trail, the mud room, and the size rule are all visible. A pretty flat with a vague 'pets on request' line would not get the same number.

What the number is not

It is not a star rating of the sofa, a veterinary endorsement, or a promise that a reactive dog will be comfortable in a busy park. It is not a legal opinion about leash laws. Those still belong to you and to the local rules in force when you travel.

Scores move when details move. If a host adds a fee or a building bans animals, the score should fall until the page matches reality. That is the standard we want, including on example listings while the marketplace is in preview.

How TailMatch uses it

TailMatch does not invent pet-friendly places. It ranks places that already clear the standard, using what you tell us: city, dates, species, size, and temperament. A cat who hates strangers should not see the same order as a dog who wants a forest. You can still ignore the ranking and browse every stay.