At some point or another, you are probably going to have to move house. Now, if you only had humans to think of, your house hunting would go a little easier. However, when your family includes a pooch, things can get a bit tricky.
While finding a dog-friendly home can be a little time-consuming, it is certainly not impossible. If you would like this process to go smoothly, consider the tips given below. It should cut down your workload quite a bit.
Start Your Search Now
As mentioned, you have your work cut out for you when it comes to moving with a dog. Even if you do find dog-friendly housing immediately, there is no guarantee that this place will meet the rest of your requirements. So, to make sure you have plenty of time to find exactly what you are looking for, start your search as soon as possible. This way, you will not have to compromise on features you would really like to have.
Is Registration Right for Your Pup?
Now, if your furry friend is a service dog then you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a place to live. After all, this falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act and housing is guaranteed by law. If your pup isn’t a service dog, though, you still may have options.
For instance, is your dog licensed to be a therapy dog? Or perhaps, he or she can be considered an emotional support animal? If this is the case, all you need is an official letter to put your pup on a registry such as usserviceanimals.org. Doing so will make it a lot more difficult for landlords to turn you and your pup down.
Tailor Your Searches Online
In this digital age, you are obviously going to start your search online. Well, there is good news for you. There are a number of rental websites that will help you narrow down the apartments or homes that allow you to bring your pooch. This can help to reduce some of the legwork involved.
Two sites that you can consider is Rent.com and Abodo.com. It is important to always double check these details, though. So, make it a point to call up the landlord or agent and ensure that dogs are, in fact, allowed.
Consider Individually Owned Homes
Living in an apartment may be the most cost-effective or efficient place for you. Despite this, a number of landlords don’t allow dogs into their buildings. They cite noise, damage, and more when it comes to the reasons that they keep pups out of their complexes.
This is why you may want to start your search with individually owned homes. You will often find it a lot easier to convince independent landlords to let your pup move in with you. Since they don’t have to think about other tenants, they may be a bit more flexible.
Dig a Little Deeper
You can’t actually take “dog-friendly housing” at its word. This is because many landlords have a specific idea of what they are looking for in terms of tenants with pets. In many instances, this loophole mainly applies to smaller breeds – those who weigh less than 50lbs.
It should also be noted that some landlords don’t allow specific breeds. Most will ban breeds that are considered “dangerous”. This includes but isn’t limited to pit bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and more. This is why it is a good idea to tell your potential landlord what size and breed your dog is. It is much better to get rejected now than get blindsided later on, as you are trying to move in.
Write a Great Pet Resume
Yes, believe it or not, pet resumes are a thing and quite a few landlords now ask to see them. As with human resumes, the pet-version gives details about your pup’s health, vaccinations, skills, and behavior. In short, it helps the landlord to figure out what kind of dog you have. Even if you aren’t asked for one, taking it along just may improve your chances.
When constructing such a resume, you will have to start with the basics. This includes information such as name, breed, age, size, and more. After this, you can talk about your pup’s health and include a list of vaccinations that he or she has received (make sure these are up to date).
It is also a good idea to include cute and funny photographs to show that your pup is not dangerous at all. To make an even greater impact, create a social media page for your pooch and give the landlord the handle. This way, they can check out videos of what your pooch is like.
Consider a Down Payment
As you can imagine, one of the landlord’s biggest concerns would be physical damage to their residence. This is why you may want to consider putting a down payment to put his mind at ease. Of course, this is only really worth it if the cost is reasonable and the amount is fully refundable.
If this is something you will go along with, make sure to take lots of before pictures of your new home. Then, before you plan on leaving, take the pictures again. This way, your landlord will not be able to claim that your pooch messed up the living quarters.
Don’t Forget About Catering to Your Pup
Now, much of the advice above is about how to find pet-friendly housing. Well, this isn’t the only thing to focus on when looking for a home for you and your pup. To start with, think about the surrounding area. Can you easily take your pooch on walks? Is there a dog park nearby?
Also, where is the closest pet store, vet, or groomers? These are important things to know since you will have to go to these places on a fairly regular basis. Therefore, you shouldn’t have to travel too far to reach them.
These are the main guidelines to follow when looking for the perfect home for your pooch. By doing this, your search will be made just a little easier.
