Post by RealPitBull on Dec 31, 2007 15:27:32 GMT -5
From realpitbull.com:
Q) Do you have any advice for renting with Pit Bulls?
A) Renting with any dog, especially one over 20 pounds can be difficult. But when your dog is a Pit Bull, you have both large size and the breed's bad reputation working against you. Many landlords are understandably worried about potential legal ramifications involving allowing a "pit bull breed" in their buildings, not to mention the insurance issues that follow these dogs around. Aside from anti-breed bias and possible difficulty related to insurance, there are local breed specific laws to contend with. Combine all these factors, and it can be very difficult finding Pit Bull-friendly housing. What to do?
First, if you do not own your own home and are contemplating getting a Pit Bull, stop and think. Do you plan on staying where you are currently living for an extended period of time? Have you talked to your landlord and is he willing to put into writing that he will accept a Pit Bull in his building? If you do not plan on staying in your current abode, and think you may move from rental to rental over the course of the life span of any dog you obtain, a Pit Bull may be the wrong breed for you. Being forced to give up your dog because you cannot find an appropriate home for both of you can be heartbreaking for you and devastating to your dog which is a member of a breed it is extremely difficult to rehome. In many cases, it may not be realistic to get a Pit Bull if you do not own your own home.
If you currently own a Pit Bull and are in the process of trying to relocate, there are several things you can do stack the cards in your favor:
1) Research the town you are moving to and make sure there are no breed specific laws on the books.
2) Avoid apartement complexes which tend to have more stringent, "in-writing" pet rules.
3) Seek out privately-owned buildings.
4) Do not mention off the bat that you have a Pit Bull, as this will scare most landlords away immediately. Show up to view the apartment in clean, neat, professional looking clothing, have a cover-letter typed up ( this should be an introduction to who you are, and mention you have a dog), references, as well as any pertinent financial information (like bank/savings account info and employment info). Your goal is to make a good impression and come across as responsible and professional.
5) Have a packet on your dog - a picture, references for your dog (such as vet and friends who can vouch for good temperament), and a doggy resume. The resume should have some basic information on your dog (name, breed, age, basic history), as well as list accomplishments such as graduation from obedience class, Canine Good Citizen certification, etc.
6) Present the above information to your land lord in a matter of fact way, do not "ask" if you can have a Pit Bull in the building. Let the landlord draw his own conclusions from the packet you provide.
7) When you find a landlord that agrees to accept you and your Pit Bull, make sure your lease states that your dog is allowed and preferably it should mention breed. The point here is to dot all your i's and cross all your t's. A landlord may later claim he never ok'd your dog and try to evict you. Having things in writing puts the law on your side.
8) Once you move in, always, always, always be responsible. Keep your dog quiet and well-exercised. Clean up after your dog. Respect the rights and fears of other renters in your building. Do not let your dog cause damage to the apartment, and if damage IS caused by your dog, be sure to take money out of your own pocket to repair it. Be a good renter! Leaving a good impression will make it easier for the next Pit Bull-owning renter that comes along. Bad dog owning renters make it harder for all of us to rent.
+++++++++++++++++
See also:
www.badrap.org/rescue/rent_pits.pdf.PDF
wonderbull.com/blog/archives/renting-with-your-pit-bull
Q) Do you have any advice for renting with Pit Bulls?
A) Renting with any dog, especially one over 20 pounds can be difficult. But when your dog is a Pit Bull, you have both large size and the breed's bad reputation working against you. Many landlords are understandably worried about potential legal ramifications involving allowing a "pit bull breed" in their buildings, not to mention the insurance issues that follow these dogs around. Aside from anti-breed bias and possible difficulty related to insurance, there are local breed specific laws to contend with. Combine all these factors, and it can be very difficult finding Pit Bull-friendly housing. What to do?
First, if you do not own your own home and are contemplating getting a Pit Bull, stop and think. Do you plan on staying where you are currently living for an extended period of time? Have you talked to your landlord and is he willing to put into writing that he will accept a Pit Bull in his building? If you do not plan on staying in your current abode, and think you may move from rental to rental over the course of the life span of any dog you obtain, a Pit Bull may be the wrong breed for you. Being forced to give up your dog because you cannot find an appropriate home for both of you can be heartbreaking for you and devastating to your dog which is a member of a breed it is extremely difficult to rehome. In many cases, it may not be realistic to get a Pit Bull if you do not own your own home.
If you currently own a Pit Bull and are in the process of trying to relocate, there are several things you can do stack the cards in your favor:
1) Research the town you are moving to and make sure there are no breed specific laws on the books.
2) Avoid apartement complexes which tend to have more stringent, "in-writing" pet rules.
3) Seek out privately-owned buildings.
4) Do not mention off the bat that you have a Pit Bull, as this will scare most landlords away immediately. Show up to view the apartment in clean, neat, professional looking clothing, have a cover-letter typed up ( this should be an introduction to who you are, and mention you have a dog), references, as well as any pertinent financial information (like bank/savings account info and employment info). Your goal is to make a good impression and come across as responsible and professional.
5) Have a packet on your dog - a picture, references for your dog (such as vet and friends who can vouch for good temperament), and a doggy resume. The resume should have some basic information on your dog (name, breed, age, basic history), as well as list accomplishments such as graduation from obedience class, Canine Good Citizen certification, etc.
6) Present the above information to your land lord in a matter of fact way, do not "ask" if you can have a Pit Bull in the building. Let the landlord draw his own conclusions from the packet you provide.
7) When you find a landlord that agrees to accept you and your Pit Bull, make sure your lease states that your dog is allowed and preferably it should mention breed. The point here is to dot all your i's and cross all your t's. A landlord may later claim he never ok'd your dog and try to evict you. Having things in writing puts the law on your side.
8) Once you move in, always, always, always be responsible. Keep your dog quiet and well-exercised. Clean up after your dog. Respect the rights and fears of other renters in your building. Do not let your dog cause damage to the apartment, and if damage IS caused by your dog, be sure to take money out of your own pocket to repair it. Be a good renter! Leaving a good impression will make it easier for the next Pit Bull-owning renter that comes along. Bad dog owning renters make it harder for all of us to rent.
+++++++++++++++++
See also:
www.badrap.org/rescue/rent_pits.pdf.PDF
wonderbull.com/blog/archives/renting-with-your-pit-bull