Pets in Rental Housing

Approximately 8 million animals end up in shelters each year, and moving-related issues are among the most common reasons for pet relinquishment. In an American Humane Association survey of 93 shelters across the country, “Moving” was the most common reason given by owners for relinquishing a pet, and “Landlord won’t allow” was the fourth most-common reason for relinquishment.

Many pet owners are heartbroken at the thought of giving up a family member, but they often don’t know how to make moving with their pet possible. We have put together the following tips to help you and your pet stay together, even when faced with downsizing to an apartment or searching for another rental property.

Finding Pet-Friendly Housing

  • Be completely honest about the number, size and types of pets you have.
  • Tell potential landlords about your good credit and/or good rental history at your initial introduction, and provide references from previous landlords if possible. Your credit and rental history are usually the most important factors considered by private landlords. Knowing that you are a good tenant will make most landlords feel much more comfortable about accepting your pets and will often help you negotiate a lower pet deposit — or avoid it altogether.
  • Be sure that your pets are spayed/neutered and fully vaccinated before you begin searching for a rental. Unneutered pets are much more likely to bite, urine mark and stray from the property, and these behaviors can be very costly for landlords.
  • Get a letter of recommendation from your pets’ veterinarian if possible. A good history of caring for your pets will demonstrate that you are a responsible owner.
  • Don’t hesitate to point out other attributes that make you and your pets attractive tenants. Do you have a long-term employment history? Are you quiet and clean? Has your dog had obedience training? Are your cats kept indoors all the time? All of these factors will make you much more appealing to potential landlords.
  • If you do not have a prior rental history or your credit is less than perfect, offer to negotiate an additional pet deposit.
  • Offer to have the carpets cleaned prior to vacating the property and agree to incorporate those terms into your lease.
  • When you arrive at your new home, keep your pets secured in a crate or a closed room until you are finished unloading your moving van. Be sure to provide your pet with his/her bed, litter box, food/water bowls and familiar toys as quickly as possible after arriving at your new home.

Snickers 7-31 003Featured Dog- Snickers

Snickers was found as a stray.  He is a neutered, 3 years plus Papillion blend.  He is very friendly and enjoys people.  He walks well on the leash.  He seems to be housebroken.  Snickers gets very excited in his cage when people are around but settles down once outside.  He’s a really nice little guy.

Other Available Dogs:

Snickers Male Papillion. Very friendly and walks well on a leash.

Purdy 7-18-14Featured Cat- Purdy

If you need a sweet and laid-back cat in your life, come visit Purdy! She is very loving and loves to be petted or have her chin scratched. She loves people that understand that not every cat is going to be super-outgoing all the time. She might not be the first kitty to scurry over to you when you walk in the room, but she’ll be the one to captivate your heart if you take the time to sit with her. The nice thing about independent cats like Purdy is that she won’t constantly pester you for attention. She’s the perfect mix of being affectionate and independent. Come meet this pretty tabby today!

Other Available Cats:

Milo 12 week old orange tabby kitten. Full of energy and loves people.

Tuesday Morning- Found at dump with 3 kittens. Friendly but needs to be the only cat in the home.

Sarah- Orange marmalade cat. She is friendly and loving.

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.
The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268.

The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com.