Having Trouble Finding a House with Your Dog? Here’s What You Can Do

More and more people are becoming pet owners and many of these individuals prefer dogs. In fact, it is estimated that there are around 17 million pets in India! Due to this, there are several aspects of being a dog parent that is easier than they were before.

Despite this, many people do struggle to find appropriate housing with their dogs. This is especially true for anyone who is trying to find an apartment.

So, doors keep slamming in you and your pup’s face are you supposed to just give up? Absolutely not! Instead, try the following guidelines below.

Know That the Law Is on Your Side

This isn’t a new problem – landlords have been trying to ban pets for quite a while now. This is why the Animal Welfare Board in India put out this circular http://awbi.in/awbi-pdf/pet_dog_circular_26_2_2015.pdf in 2015.

Here, it outlines that landlords can’t just ban dogs without a good reason. Furthermore, these individuals aren’t allowed to discriminate against larger dogs either.

So, if you are feeling some pushback, it is best to arm yourself with proper legal documents. If a potential landlord tries to say that pets are banned or not welcome, show them that this isn’t strictly legal for them to do. Once they know that you are aware of your rights, they may be a bit more willing to come to a compromise with you.

Be Aware of Certain Requirements

Now, you should be aware that, as a pet owner, you have certain responsibilities that you need to live up to. It is only by following these requirements to the letter that you and your dog will be able to reside in a particular area.

For one thing, you should never let your dog outside of your home if you aren’t accompanying him or her. They should always be on a leash, regardless of how far you will be going or how well-behaved your dog is.

People who aren’t used to dogs may feel threatened by a dog that is roaming around without a leash.

It is a good idea to try and train your dog to relieve themselves in particular areas – perhaps where people don’t often go. And, make it a point to always clean up after your dog as well.

Try to train your dog to avoid barking excessively or jumping on strangers. It is important that you stay up-to-date on all their vaccinations as well.

Sweeten the Deal

If your landlord or building association is still on the fence, they may need a nudge in the right direction. To begin with, show them how great or important your dog is. You can do this by supplying them with training or behavioral certificates.

There are certain agencies in the USA that will provide pet owners with Emotional Support Animal letters, much like this one https://usserviceanimals.org/blog/how-to-get-esa-letter/.

This proves to landlords that pets are detrimental to someone’s wellbeing. Perhaps you can find a similar agency in India.

It can also help to offer to pay a pet deposit or pet rent. With a pet deposit, you give the landlord a lump sum when you sign the lease.

If any damage is done to the house, apartment, or surrounding area, you will lose the deposit. With pet rent, you pay a small amount each month to allow your pet to stay with you.

As you can see, it is possible to find a nice home for you and your dog. All you have to do is follow the guidelines mentioned here. It will then be a relatively short time before you find the perfect place for you and your furry friend.