Finding Pet-Friendly Rental Housing

It’s a sad truth—many pets are surrendered to shelters simply because their families move into housing that doesn’t allow pets. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 6.5 million more pets could have homes if more landlords allowed pets. However, there are many places in and around Pittsburgh that allow our four-legged friends to sleep next to us at night. 

If you’re looking for pet-friendly rental housing, here are some websites that can help you with your search:

Fostercat.org lists over 40 apartment complexes that allow both dogs and cats, and nearly 60 that are feline-friendly.

Peoplewithpets.com lists hundreds of cities with apartments that allow you to keep your furry family members.

Apartmentsource.com allows you to search for apartments by city and narrow your search for ones that allow pets.

Once you find housing that allows pets, it’s extremely important that you get a copy of the pet policy in writing and review it closely before making a decision to move there. Many apartments that allow pets often require a deposit as well an additional monthly fee, and there may be restrictions regarding the size and type of the pet.

For example, Crane Village Apartments, near downtown Pittsburgh, allows pets, but with some restrictions. According to the Crane Village Apartment Pet Policy, tenants may have domestic (not exotic) animals that weigh less than 40 pounds. Tenants must provide a photo of the pet along with a statement from a veterinarian confirming that the pet is current on all vaccinations. The tenants and landlord must also sign a written agreement regarding the pet. Additional costs include a non-refundable $150 deposit as well as a monthly fee of $20.

It’s never a good idea to sneak your pet into your apartment and hope your landlord won’t notice. You may be forced to move out or give up your pet. Instead, there may be other ways to avoid giving up your pet. Arrange a meeting with yourself, your pet and your landlord to prove that you really do have a well-behaved companion. Letters of recommendation can make a difference, too. A persuasive letter from a previous landlord or your pet’s trainer may be enough to sway your landlord’s decision in your pet’s favor.

Remember that a verbal agreement between you and your landlord is not enough. Protect yourself and your pet by getting your landlord’s rules and policies in writing, and make sure they are reasonable for you and your pet.

With a little bit of time and effort, it’s always possible to find a place that will allow you to keep your pet if you must move.

For more information regarding pet-friendly housing, visit Animal Friends' website www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org.