Apartment policies re: pets (leasing, homes, landlord)

[r0bmoon82]

My significant other and I recently moved to DC, and when we asked our rental about pets, the answer we got essentially was that while the official policy was that no pets were allowed, the management was aware that there were pets in the building and seemed cool with it.

We want to adopt a dog or a cat, but aren't sure whether the shelters or rescue groups will be okay with the not-so-airtight pets okay policy. What are people's thoughts on this? Has anyone else managed to adopt a pet under the same circumstances? Thank you in advance.

Rob

[juniperbleu]

From what I remember, when I adopted my cat the shelter required written proof that pets were allowed in my complex (i.e. I printed out my lease and the pet policy, which allowed pets for a fee and pet rent). Unfortunately, there's a big problem with people adopting pets and then returning them when they get caught. I never notified my complex that I had a pet, saving myself the expensive fee and pet rent (which is bogus, I've had managers tell me that there's no purpose for it), but the fact that they even just allow pets at all was needed.

If you get lucky and make friends with someone in your leasing office, you may be able to get away with them talking to the shelter (I kind of doubt it). Another option would be to adopt from a person, not a shelter or rescue. They're often more lenient.

[PenguinSix]

The DC shelter has (had?) very very strict rules on adopting pets. In fact, there is some that are saying they are too strict with home visits and all that. It's a pretty contentious issue amongst those who follow it.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by PenguinSix

The DC shelter has (had?) very very strict rules on adopting pets. In fact, there is some that are saying they are too strict with home visits and all that. It's a pretty contentious issue amongst those who follow it.

I didn't use the DC shelter, but this is something I found true throughout the area. I'm used to PA where I just paid $50-$75, signed a contract, and picked up my new pet. Here I had difficulty finding a place that 1) would adopt out one kitten (many required at least 2), and 2) had a fee below $150. While I get the idea of having 2 kittens together, I honestly couldn't afford it. Not to mention that my roommate might have killed me if I came home with 2 cats. As for the fee, again, I get it, but at times it was so high it was almost prohibitive. It doesn't sound like much by itself, but once you factor in the vet, food, supplies, and fees, every extra dollar can count. It was a little frustrating, since I could see that there were many people offering good homes who just gave up because of the expensive, lengthy process.

That said, I used the PG County Animal Management Division. Still more difficult than Pennsylvania, but far less so than anywhere else I found. The fee also included spay/neuter, initial shots, and microchipping, which was nice. However, I think they'd check up on the landlord's pet policy issue. Also, if it's 2 of you, make sure both of you are present when you adopt. Otherwise, you'll need to come back so they can verify that everyone in the household is aware of and agrees to the pet.