Accepting pets in your rental housing has a number of advantages. Pet-friendly rentals have lower turnover and vacancy rates, require less advertising, earn more revenue, and provide access to a larger pool of tenants. By allowing pets, you also have more control over which pets live in your units, since tenants won't conceal pets to get around a no-pet policy. 

Responsible pet owners also tend to be more reliable, thoughtful tenants. Consider evaluating potential pets just like human tenants, with some screening questions such as: 

• Are your pets spayed or neutered, current on their vaccines, and on flea control?
• How often are your pets left alone?
• How old are your pets and do they have any known health issues?
• Who cares for your pets when you're away?
• Are your pets housetrained? If you have dogs, how do you manage dog waste?
• Do your animals go outside? How often?
• If dogs, have your pets learned basic commands or have they received additional training?
• Do you have a regular veterinarian?
• Can you provide a pet reference from a former landlord and/or veterinarian?
• If a dog owner, can you make your dog available for a meet and greet?

Concerned about liability? You can request that tenants carry renters' insurance: It's affordable and covers not just pet issues, but theft and other losses. You can remind them that your property insurance does not cover losses to the contents of their units, but renters' insurance does!

The California Apartment Association has some information on renting to pets, including a recommendation to fold pet rent or deposits into general rent or deposits so that you don't have to issue refunds if pets leave. You might be surprised to learn that several surveys show pet damage isn't as costly, or as common, as many landlords think!

NOLO provides some tips on writing a pet agreement as part of a lease. And here's more information on renting to people with pets from the ASPCA and American Family Insurance. And here's some info on common pit bull myths to consider when you're writing pet policies.

We know that finding pet-friendly housing can be a challenge and we want to help you keep your pets at home.

Some things you might want to think about when searching for housing:

• Prepare a resume for each of your pets with simple information including name, age, basic medical history, and personality. Include photos so landlords see them as part of your family. 
• Get letters of reference from former landlords, your veterinarian, your trainer, or anyone else who knows you and your animals well. 
• Consider getting renters' insurance to show that you're prepared for questions about liability. 
• For dog owners, offer an opportunity for a meet and greet so prospective landlords can meet your dog.
• Dog owners may also want to pursue Canine Good Citizen or other dog training certifications.

The following sites have some resources for renters that you might find helpful if you are experiencing conflict with your current landlord: 

• Humane Society of the United States  
• Animal Legal Defense Fund

We'd love to work with you on developing pet-friendly rental policies — and list you as a pet-friendly housing provider! Reach out to us at (707) 964-SPAY, or email director@mendocinohumane.org to start a conversation.