patrick.net

Either you allow pets or you don't, who are you to tell me my dog can't have balls?

Concern: Pets might bite

Potential solution: Anyone?
No Pit Bulls or other "fight bred" related dogs, balls or sans balls.

The thing that gets me about Pit Bull mauling stories, are the common reoccurring theme in the aftermath. They all, always say...
"He's never done that before"
"He plays with our Children just fine"
"He wouldn't hurt a fly."

Last week Broward County(South Florida) was going to take up a measure to follow Miami Dade in banning pit bull dogs.
Everyone showed up masses to protest,(I swear the whole fucking world has gone mad) and shot it down. The local government with drew the measure because of the outcry.

All they had was dogs and yelling.
Of course the few Maimed people and people who's little kids have been killed over the years by these vicious beast, weren't even considered.

The Cowards, could have at least passed a measure that would require all Pit Bulls be insured or they will be confiscated and put down.

Unfortunately, a lot of damage is done when people don't understand their pets. So, similarly to giving a bottle of stain/odor remover, this information can actually make for a newly moved pet to never pee all over the place.

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/moving-with-your-cat.pdf
http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/Introducing%20a%20Cat%20to%20a%20New%20Home.pdf
http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/starting-out-dog.pdf

Require a pet resume with references, pics, video links. For example, I have all of our landlords over 10 years who can attest to the fact that my dog doesn't bark or growl, and that he loves all people, especially the UPS and FedEx guys. They can also let a new landlord know that we clean up immediately after him and have never left a trace of him behind when moving out.

Sorry, burned too many times. I even have a lease agreement paragraph paraphrased:

• No pets. Not only no pets but requests for a pet shall incur a $100 non-refundable processing fee. The answer will still be no but the landlord will not be held the bad guy when little Johnny needs to be told he cannot keep the puppy.

-----

N.B. The actual language is legalese and the normal service animal nondiscrimination, etc., declarations are included.

CaptainShuddup says

Either you allow pets or you don't, who are you to tell me my dog can't have balls?

If you adopt your pet from an animal shelter or rescue group this won't be an issue - neutering is a condition of adoption. Like it or not it can also be a condition of renting.

If you are concerned for your pets self esteem get him a pair of these:
http://www.neuticles.com/

RobDawg says

Sorry, burned too many times. I even have a lease agreement paragraph paraphrased:

• No pets. Not only no pets but requests for a pet shall incur a $100 non-refundable processing fee. The answer will still be no but the landlord will not be held the bad guy when little Johnny needs to be told he cannot keep the puppy.

-----

N.B. The actual language is legalese and the normal service animal nondiscrimination, etc., declarations are included.

HOW have you been burned? Please share your experiences so as to help figure out solutions.

CaptainShuddup says

Potential solution: Anyone?

No Pit Bulls or other "fight bred" related dogs, balls or sans balls.

The thing that gets me about Pit Bull mauling stories, are the common reoccurring theme in the aftermath. They all, always say...

"He's never done that before"

"He plays with our Children just fine"

"He wouldn't hurt a fly."

Last week Broward County(South Florida) was going to take up a measure to follow Miami Dade in banning pit bull dogs.

Everyone showed up masses to protest,(I swear the whole fucking world has gone mad) and shot it down. The local government with drew the measure because of the outcry.

All they had was dogs and yelling.

Of course the few Maimed people and people who's little kids have been killed over the years by these vicious beast, weren't even considered.

The Cowards, could have at least passed a measure that would require all Pit Bulls be insured or they will be confiscated and put down.

We have a large pit bull next door. Her owners seem to be the responsible type, always using a leash on her daily walks, drawing her close when kids are nearby, introducing her to new neighbors, etc. For my part I am careful to be as responsible a parent as I can never allowing my kid to approach her unsupervised. So far that dog has been a sweetheart.

So what can be done to screen out bad pet owners without profiling or a RobDawgs style absolutely-no-pets policy? Rufita11 has a good suggestion but this is not possible for people new to the rental circuit.

FunTime says

Unfortunately, a lot of damage is done when people don't understand their pets. So, similarly to giving a bottle of stain/odor remover, this information can actually make for a newly moved pet to never pee all over the place.

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/moving-with-your-cat.pdf

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/Introducing%20a%20Cat%20to%20a%20New%20Home.pdf

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/starting-out-dog.pdf

Thank you for the links.

I also have cats. I am careful to confine the cats to a bathroom for at least a week after every move to allow them to get used to the new place. To date I have never had a marking problem. Its probably helps that they are both neutered.

Some of your links address the problem of a cat running away. A few years ago one of my cats went missing for a few weeks. I eventually got her back but not without an extensive search on my part. She was found by a neighbor hiding in their attic. To prevent losing another cat I bought a Loc8tor RFID tracking system:

http://www.loc8tor.com/primary-products/loc8tor-plus-pack.html/

Its not cheap and it has its limitations but it is one of the few tracking systems which works on cats. It is effective enough that I am sure I would have found her within minutes instead of weeks. It also does not require a subscription.

New Renter says

Rufita11 has a good suggestion but this is not possible for people new to the rental circuit.

Actually, you can still have a resume. Put a quote from your vet with her contact information. You can also put in contacts and certifications from puppy or dog training instructors. Even references from friends and neighbors.

For us, the clincher was having them look at his videos and Facebook page with his many fans and friends endorsing him daily. He even earns his kibble in Google Ad Sense payouts.

Each time we need to find a new place, we put our resume on craigslist "housing wanted" and get many responses from people wanting to meet him. A few years back, we ended up living in one house because the owner, who lived next door, wanted her kids to play with him, but she didn't want the responsibility of owning a dog. It turned out to be an amazing 3-year relationship and we are still in touch.

rufita11 says

Actually, you can still have a resume. Put a quote from your vet with her contact information. You can also put in contacts and certifications from puppy or dog training instructors. Even references from friends and neighbors.

For us, the clincher was having them look at his videos and Facebook page with his many fans and friends endorsing him daily. He even earns his kibble in Google Ad Sense payouts.

Each time we need to find a new place, we put our resume on craigslist "housing wanted" and get many responses from people wanting to meet him. A few years back, we ended up living in one house because the owner, who lived next door, wanted her kids to play with him, but she didn't want the responsibility of owning a dog. It turned out to be an amazing 3-year relationship and we are still in touch.

Excellent suggestion, thank you!

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich says

Show a video of your pet dismembering a burglar and eating his intestines.

A landlord's got to love that.

Great idea, at least until the burglar's lawyer sees it.

CaptainShuddup says

Concern:

So CS, you used to be a floor installer. What tips might have you have to pet proof a house? Do you know of any good laminate floors that won't be wrecked by standing liquid?

I once checked a reference for a single guy who had a cat. Previous apartment told me the cat did over $1000 in damage to carpet (scratching, not peeing). Also scratched up the trim molding and destroyed the blinds.

I've had more problems with boyfriends than pets though. Can you impose a boyfriend deposit?

gbenson says

Previous apartment told me the cat did over $1000 in damage to carpet (scratching, not peeing). Also scratched up the trim molding and destroyed the blinds.

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/Cat-Claw-Clipping.pdf
http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/how-to-play-with-your-cat.pdf
http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/keeping-cats-indoors_0.pdf

FunTime says

gbenson says

Previous apartment told me the cat did over $1000 in damage to carpet (scratching, not peeing). Also scratched up the trim molding and destroyed the blinds.

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/Cat-Claw-Clipping.pdf

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/how-to-play-with-your-cat.pdf

http://www.sfspca.org/sites/default/files/keeping-cats-indoors_0.pdf

Giving a cat a manicure really isn't difficult. I've even been able to get an old, cranky cat to put up with a few minutes of annoyance for some attention and treats. The thing to remember is that their claws are the same as your nails. If you trim too close it really hurts!

As a landlord one solution might be to provide a few secondhand cat trees and carpet trimmings. There are also a few sprays on the market that are supposed to discourage scratching. I don't see many rentals with curtains anymore, most have blinds. Perhaps replace expensive curtains with cheap ones?

So what are the horror stories? Hoarders? Shredded carpets? Scratched wood floors? Busted screendoors? Horrible odors that just won't go away? Constant complaints from the neighbors?

Of the physical damages incurred above those incurred by the human tenants what were the costs involved? I've heard soiled carpets are a common problem but carpets need to be cleaned or replaced (10 yr on average) between tenancies regardless.

How about statistics? Are there any references which prove the average tenancy with pets is more expensive for the landlord over one without pets or Is this mostly based on anecdotal evidence?

Wost pet damage I have seen have been on Shot Sales I looked at:

One condo they had just literally stopped cleaning.. anything. Litter box was literally just a solid pan of black dried poop, and the cat started going wherever it wanted once it filled to capacity. Pans and open cans of who knows what sitting on the counters all dried out, and once the ash trays overfilled, they started using the windowsills as ash trays.

Another was a single girl who had one of those small yappy dogs that you just get an uncontrollable urge to kick because you know it needs it. Was a 5 year old townhouse in gated community. The dog had shredded all the moldings, part of the fireplace mantel, stair runs, the inside of the garage door, and had literally clawed its way completely through one of the doors and some of the sheetrock. Carpets were bad, but garage floor was worse. Agents were warned to open doors and windows for at least 15 min before letting anyone inside for it to air out.

Only pet problem I have personally had with tenants is on a 3000sq ft 4br place in upscale neighborhood. It's an Australian Shepard (very high energy and social) and when they left, they'd leave the dog in the backyard and it would freak, just running circles barking at anything that moved. Basically just told them they had to keep it indoors when they left, so they kennel him when gone and peace and harmony returned to the village.

Or just don't allow dogs.

zzyzzx says

Or just don't allow dogs.

Remember, looking for solutions to safely permit animals here...

Granted some owners, some breeds of animals and some living situations just won't work. A typical Aussie Shepard will be miserable in a small apartment and in frustration take it out on the property. A Rotweiller might be just fine with the apartment if the owners give it exercise and attention.

As I said earlier in my experience apartments seem to be more willing to permit pets despite the lack of private outdoor areas and higher density over SFR. What tricks do they know that's might be useful for SFR landlords? Are apartment landlords more willing to accept pets because apartments are harder to rent than SFRs?