Sunday, September 18, 2005

Renting With Pets by dan the roommate man

It's disappointing when the only thing holding someone back from that perfect apartment is a "no pets allowed" clause. Rather than going through the extra effort of finding a rental unit which fits their personal criteria and accepts their pet, some people think they have no other choice than to leave Fido or Fifi behind. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has created a web site dedicated to easing the difficulties of finding a great apartment that will welcome both you and your pet.

According to the Humane Society, 'moving', and 'the landlord won't allow' are the top reasons given by pet owners when relinquishing their dogs or cats to animal shelters. Brooke County Animal Shelter puts anywhere from twenty to thirty animals to sleep per day. "It's not something we enjoy. We try to save as many animals for as long as we can, but we can only do so much," says one employee.

Making an extra effort to find a place which will accept you along with your pet may be time consuming, however, HSUS points out the benefits of pet ownership:

# Pets provide companionship. There are few things more satisfying than the attention and affection of a good friend. Wagging tails, contented purrs, and adoring looks are all ways companion animals communicate with people and demonstrate their devotion. Many people talk to their pets and consider them members of the family.

# Pets give us someone to care for. When you add up the small daily acts of caring for a pet - feeding, grooming, exercising - the sum total is a pet owner with a feeling of being needed. Having that sense of purpose and responsibility is a valuable learning tool for children and can help fight loneliness, boredom, and depression, especially in the elderly or socially isolated.

# Pets help people be more sociable. People out walking their dogs have a greater tendency to socialize with passersby; their pets give them security and provide a ready-made topic for conversation. Even among families and friends, pets provide a focus of conversation and activity.

# Pets stimulate exercise. Pets promote vitality through active exercise - such as brisk walking and outdoor games - or therapy for disabled hands through regular grooming of pets.

# Pets comfort with touch. The gentle stroking of a pet can reduce stress and lower blood pressure and, when combined with quiet talk, create a feeling of relaxation, intimacy, and closeness.

Hoping to reduce the number of animals unnecessarily put to sleep, the Humane Society attempts to bridge the gap between reluctant landlords and pet lovers by addressing the needs and concerns of both parties. Visit the HSUS web site at: http://www.rentwithpets.org/

Also See: # Moving Your Pet # Pet Policies: Pleading Your Case Successfully # Are Your Pets Soiling Your Chances of Selling Your Home?


About the Author
Since 1989 dan the roommate man has helped 1000's of people find roommates. Need help? Contact him at 800-487-8050 or www.roommateexpress.com

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