Home owners don't have to worry too much about moving into a new home with their pets. But for those who rent a house or apartment, it's a whole different game. Every year, many of them abandon their pets out in nature or at shelters like the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle because they can't find a landlord who will accept pets. As a matter of fact, pet shelters are more than full at this time of year. 

Landlords have a legal right to forbid the presence of animals in the houses or apartments that they rent. However, given a little extra reassurance about your sense of responsibility, some just might decide to welcome your pet in their building. Here are some tips to make your quest more fruitful: 

Give yourself plenty of time. Assume that finding a rental home will take a little more time and energy because you have pets. The sooner you start looking, the less tension you'll feel and the better your chances of finding a house or apartment that both welcomes pets and feels comfortable for everyone in your family. 

Start with buildings with an existing policy on accepting pets. Landlords who have already set up a no-pet policy in their multi-apartment building are not likely to change their mind. You can also look for landlords who don't have a fixed policy about pets. 

Be sensitive to your potential landlord's concerns. If you sense that the landlord doesn't like the idea of pets, try not to get defensive, which will most likely put more tension in the situation and lessen your chances of getting the rental home of your dreams. Instead, put yourself in the landlord's shoes: he or she may have had a bad experience with a previous tenant or heard about irresponsible pet owners. They may also wonder if the neighbours will complain about your dog barking and think about how they'd settle this dispute. These are legitimate concerns. It's up to you to prove that you can live happily with your pets while respecting your landlord's property and neighbors. For instance, you can arrange a meeting between your landlord and your pet so that he or she can see just how well-behaved your pooch is. You can also talk about your good habits as a pet owner: you control your pet at all times, you pick up after them, etc. You can show the landlord letters of recommendation from previous landlords and neighbors or from your vet, and show them your dog's obedience school certificate. If you pet is spayed or neutered, you can mention it makes them less vocal and less likely to mark their territory. The landlord will be impressed by the effort you've put into addressing their concerns, which will help to ease their mind. Finally, you may consider offering to sign a responsibility contract in case your animal causes damages to their property. You can seal the deal by offering a deposit as a guarantee. 

Before you move, make sure there is a written mention of your pets in the lease, and take photos of the property before you move in. This will help prevent future problems. 

Once you move in, please keep your word! Remember the landlord is not obligated to lease the house or apartment to a pet owner. It's up to you to live up to your promises, which will also help other tenants by building up a good reputation for pet owners in general. It will also be easier to find your next rental home. 

Most of all, don't abandon your pet if you can't find a new rental home or apartment right away. Our furry little friends are well worth putting a little more time and effort into this quest. After all, adopting a pet means accepting the responsibility to provide them with a home for their lifetime. 

If you really must part with them, find out if family, friends, neighbors or colleagues could take them in and care for them properly. Abandoning them out in nature is not an option, and shelters should be a last resort solution only. Most shelters are full at this time of year and won't be able to take them in or will opt for euthanasia. 

Lastly, if you're thinking about adopting a pet and your current landlord agrees with the idea, remember you'll have to put in extra time and efforts the next time you move. Adopting a cat or dog is a lifetime commitment and a decision not to be made lightly... 

For more advice about adopting a pet or moving with your pets, feel free to give us a call at the SPCA Laurentides-Labelle at (819) 326-4059.