Use These Hints and Tips To Find a Rental For You and Your Pet
Posted: Thursday, November 17, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
This article is all about finding a rental for you AND you pet, an issue that is extremely important to me and also for many older animal lovers. That is, all too often pets must be surrendered to animal shelters or put to sleep because an owner is unable to find housing with the pet, or because an owner has become old and is moving into some type of senior housing.
?No pets allowed or No dogs over 40 pounds
For sure, people don’t want to give up pets. Most often, however, they are forced into making exactly that decision because they cannot find a rental with a pet. I can tell you that you need to consider all of your options.
Here are several positive steps for people seeking a rental or other home. Make your dog or cat a welcome addition and tenant. It now becomes really important that you validate your pet and also yourself to prospective landlords. Assure your animal is healthy and well mannered.
Approach your move with the best possible options as follows:
Begin your hunt for a pet rental as soon as possible
Get going! The sooner the better! Give yourself time to find properties. Start searching months before your actual need, several months at least. Research for pet-friendly housing, ask friends that own pets for help and recommendations, check with the Humane Society for suggestions. Ask, research, review, check. Know your area, the available housing and research the Internet. Review the links for pet-friendly housing in my primary link at the end of my article.
Adhere to regular veterinarian visits
Demonstrate that you are indeed a responsible pet owner and you have a healthy, happy pet.
Take your pet to obedience class and to a groomer
This is of great importance to landlords, who need to assure their rental is taken care of and they are not subject to unpleasant experiences. Not only will this make inroads with a landlord; it is also valuable for your pet.
Offer a “Pet Deposit” or a “Pet Liability Insurance”
Make an offer to a prospective landlord that you are willing to provide an extra deposit on behalf of your pet for the repair of any damage. Assure him that your pet has never been destructive but you are offering this as an extra courtesy.
When I secured a rental for my mother in a senior facility, I provided a pet liability insurance policy – it’s a renter’s type of policy – and I was able to find lovely housing for her. She had two dogs but only one could move in with her. I took one of her dogs for her.
Write a Pet Resume
Yes, you read correctly. Even if this sound foolish to you, a “Pet Resume” can have many positive results. A well-prepared pet resume includes the following information: medical records, references and your responsible behavior. It also demonstrates your professionalism.
Include this information:
?State the name, age, breed, sex of the pet. Is your pet a dog or cat, bunny, or bird. Is your dog or cat neutered? If the pet is not altered, this may be a problem. I would consider having the pet neutered, if not just for his or her well-being and good heath.
?Give a brief description of the pet including that the animal is housebroken, is friendly, is not excessively noisy, and is not destructive.
?Discuss the pet’s grooming. Landlords have routinely had bad experiences with pets for many reasons. It is up to you to show that your pet is not like the others. State the good traits of your care such as regular grooming, pet flea treatments, nail cutting. You keep your pet neat and clean on a regular basis.
Describe yourself as a responsible pet owner that cleans up after the dog’s elimination daily, that you walk the dog, that your take him with you when you can. Or for a cat pet, talk about daily litter box cleanup, clipping the cat’s nails and that the cat is an indoor cat who is regularly plaid with and has a scratching post.
?Attach or include several photos of your animal at play, resting and at his/her cutest.
?Provide veterinarian, groomer contact information. Also provide contact information from previous landlord(s), dog trainers, or others who see your pet often. Most importantly, attach clear and concise reference letters from people who are able to attest for your pet.
?Lastly, confirm the regular health checks by your veterinarian by providing current vaccination information.
Remember Heidi-ism “A question unasked is a No!”
Be persistent. Think! A landlord wants to rent to a good tenant; you have a great pet; offer to introduce your pet, state that you have a resume, references, are willing to pay an extra deposit, produce an up-to-date health and vaccination record, and state your excellence as a pet owner and tenant. Author’s note: If you are a slob, and you are painting this “responsible” picture of your pet and yourself, and it’s not entirely true, then forget it. You’ll be found out in the near future anyway. Straighten out or give it a rest.
Keep your humor and be patient
Patience pet lover! It’s key in your hunt for a nice rental. Remember that your pet’s future is at state and he or she wants nothing more than your love and to stay with you. There are pet-friendly rentals and it’s up to you to find them.
Don’t just give up.
If you are having serious problems despite some of these tips, then discuss them with the Humane Society in your state. All sorts of advice is available including moving with your pet. Ask, inquire, seek help, research and investigate.
Think I’ve said it before. You can do it with a bit of work.
Reference Link: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/animal_friendly_apartments.html.
The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Great advice. I know my area has a lot of those places, which do not allow pets...especially dogs. We know how good pets can be, and your take on how to secure that place is exceptional.It takes work sometimes. There are more places than ever that permit animals. But there have also been problems. It's up to the pet owners to turn the bad experience tide. Like all things, it's a few irresponsible people that ruin it for others - in all things.
These are really good tips, Heidi. When I had a cat and had to find a new place to live it didn't occur to me to do something like this, so I got turned away from tons of places. Eventually I just snuck her in and we were okay. But it's better to do it your way.Yes and no. Better in one regard I guess. If you find a nice place and sneak the animal in, at least you're in. But if they take issue or someone reports you, then what. A dog barks and a cat sits in the window. Our cats gallop around in their room. But the not so good part is that if you do it my way and get turned down, then you're out. Yet overall, it is better all the way to be open and up front about it. I would never want to face getting battled about a pet and being forced to decide: get rid of the pet or move out.
We have some rentals and my son has permitted a dog in a couple of instances. He is an animal lover and understands. He does stay in touch and has taken a few other precautions - such as the extra deposit.
Problem with a cat isn't so much the clawing although that is one of the big ones. It is the urine smells. If a cat is not trained properly, cleaned out properly or whatever the reason, the cat urine stench can last a very long time.
Like everything, some people ruin it for others.
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