If you thought house training your dog was the most difficult part of having a dog, you haven’t experienced the hell that is trying to find an apartment, condo, or home that is both in your price range and pet-friendly. Even in some of the most “pet-friendly” cities, searching for a new rental home or apartment can be a grueling task. You would think that finding a pet-friendly living accommodation would be easier. Some buildings are very pet friendly, like this apartment building in Los Angeles that is “rescue pets only”. If more landlords knew how responsible and conscientious most dog owners are, they might change their tune.
1. Dog Owners Are Responsible
Dog owners know what it means to accept a huge responsibility and stick to it for life. Feeding a dog on time and paying the rent on time go hand in hand. Dog owners care about their living conditions and the living conditions of their pets. They might even leave an apartment or house in better condition than they found it. Dog owners are a landlord’s dream due to their responsible nature.
2. Dog Owners Are Compassionate
Living in an apartment can mean living in pretty close quarters. It’s always nice when some of the people you share that small hallway with are kind, compassionate people. In pet friendly apartments, those types of neighbors are all around you. Pet lovers are compassionate, friendly, and outgoing. Who doesn’t want neighbors that?
3. Dog Owners Are Big On Commitment
You got your dog with the intention of loving and caring for its entire life. Dog owners aren’t scared of commitment, and once they find an apartment they love, they will stay for a very long time. Having responsible, long-term tenants isn’t just a relief for the landlord, it also builds a sense of community in your living complex.
4. Dog Owners Aren’t Afraid To Part With Some Cash
Pet owners spent an impressive $60 BILLION on their pets in 2015. Some of that went to renting and maintaining an incredible, dog-friendly place. If you have found a place that you love but has a strict no-pet policy, try negotiating by offering a larger deposit than they are asking for. Landlords are human, after all, and may be willing to change their policy for someone who shows how serious and responsible they are.
5. Dog Owners Make Your Community A Happier Place
Pets lower stress and help ease depression and anxiety. Simply being around an animal and petting them can lower your blood pressure and increase your levels of that lovely feel-good chemical, serotonin. Now imagine having a building full of tenants who are relaxed, have a general state of mental well-being, and have adorable dogs to boot. Sounds like a pretty wonderful place to live.
In Los Angeles, 70% of renters are pet owners. Larger cities boast similar statistics. That is a large pool of responsible, compassionate, happy potential tenants. Renting to pet owners doesn’t just help out those of us with four-legged friends looking for a home; it’s a smart business move by landlords as well.
There are a lot of online resources for renters looking for dog-friendly housing. Sites like BringFido and People With Pets exclusively list pet-friendly apartments and house rentals. When searching on more general rental sites, be sure to refine your search and include “dog friendly” in your list of required amenities.
Are you living in a building that wasn’t initially dog-friendly? What did you do to convince your landlord otherwise? Let us know in the comments.
