What is Open Door Miami?
According to a survey conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy:
35% of people without pets would own a pet if their rental housing permitted animals.
If all rental housing permitted pets,
6.5 million animals could be placed in new homes.
The refusal by landlords to allow pets ranks as the most-often cited reason for giving up dogs, and the third most often cited reason for surrendering cats to an animal shelter.
According to a 1991 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 58% of U.S. households now own a pet of some kind.
Miami, just as many communities throughout the nation, has many rental housing units, condo associations and other housing that do not allow pets. Thus, many animals that could have homes remain homeless or are euthanized. Responsible pet owners make great tenants and are likely to rent for longer periods of time once they have found housing that welcomes their companion animals. Additionally, the medical, social and emotional benefits of living with a pet have been widely acknowledged by veterinarians, medical doctors and psychologists.
Owners and managers often have legitimate concerns about allowing pets based on previous experiences with irresponsible pet owners. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The key to a successful pets welcome policy is allowing only responsible pet owners to rent. Landlords need to use a careful screening process as well as institute and enforce reasonable rules and regulations.
Open Door Miami is a program that shows landlords the benefits of a carefully designed and implemented pets welcome policy and teaches tenants how to find, increase, and maintain pet friendly housing in our community. Additionally, it fosters collaboration of animal welfare organizations to provide support services that are essential to retention of pets and successful pet ownership.
Miami Pets Alive, Inc. is a 501©3, not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to lead the community of Miami-Dade County toward ending the killing of adoptable companion animals.
For more information, please contact www.miamipetsalive.org or call 305 476-LIVE
Companion animals are a wonderful addition to a family or household. They provide love, give us someone to care for, help us be more sociable, and are a stimulus to exercise. However, it is not always easy to find housing that allows pets.
Unfortunately, irresponsible pet owners have caused problems that make it difficult for responsible pet owners to find adequate housing that welcomes their pets. What many people do not know is that a landlord or management company does not have to make general rules such as no pets or all pets are allowed. They can be selective and can set up guidelines that make for successful pet-friendly housing.
Considerations on whether you should get a pet. Responsibility cannot be over stressed!
Do I have the time to care for a pet properly?
Am I financially able to provide for my pet’s needs?
Am I willing to obey the laws related to animal care and control?
Do I have my landlord’s or condo board’s consent to bring an animal into my home?
Have I examined my own motives for getting a pet?
Do I have a support system to ensure that my pet will be taken care of in the event I can no longer do so?
Am I home during the day, and if not, do I have a regular schedule?
Can I make provisions for pet care if I must be away from home temporarily?
If you can answer yes to most of the above questions, then the next step is in deciding what kind of pet best fits into your life. Adopting an animal is a 15-20 year commitment. If you are 70 years old it would not be advisable to get a kitten or puppy because he/she may very well outlive you. Perhaps, you might want to consider an adult dog or cat. If you have children, how does the animal get along with children? If you are considering a puppy, do you have the ability and patience to house-train a puppy and teach your puppy proper social behavior?
Open Door Miami
A Tenant’s Guide
Tips for Tenants Seeking Housing with Pets
Finding an apartment that will accept your pet depends on your ability to market yourself as a responsible pet owner. Don’t answer ads that say no pets. When making inquiries by phone, talk about the apartment, not the pet. Contact small individual landlords rather than big property-management companies unless you know the bigger company accepts pets.
Make an appointment to speak with the property owner in person and personally present information about yourself and your pet.
Prepare a resume on your pet to present to the landlord. Include references from former landlords, neighbors, obedience instructors, pet sitters and veterinarians. Include proof of licenses as required by your community and current vaccinations.
If necessary, offer to sign a pet agreement and pay an additional pet deposit.
Invite the property owner to meet your pet, either in your present home, in his office or in a public place.
Show the property owner that you are a member of Miami Pets Alive and/or other humane organizations.
Show a record of flea and tick control applications.
Invite the landlord to check on the pet after you move in.
Request a copy of the building rules pertaining to pets.
Above all, make sure your pet is spayed or neutered. This may make it easier to find a home for your pet. In addition, this is the single most important rule to being a responsible pet owner, responsible neighbor and responsible citizen.
Pet Resume Guide
Give examples of your pet’s good behavior and your responsibility. If your pet is a dog, has lived in apartments before and is accustomed to it, make sure to say so. If you have more than one cat, let the landlord know how well your pets get along and keep each other company while you are away. If your cat uses a scratching post, say so and also note that your cat is litterbox trained.
If your pet is quiet and calm, stress that. If you have an active dog, explain how you fulfill his/her exercise requirements. Explain how you keep your pet clean and free of fleas.
Above all, let the landlord know your pet is spayed or neutered. This will ease any concerns the landlord may have about your pet becoming pregnant and you having more animals in the building. It is also less likely that a male dog or cat will mark indoors if he is neutered.
Describe your arrangements for your pet when you go to work or on vacation. If you have a friend who walks your dog while you are at work, let the landlord know. Also advise him that you either have someone to stay with your pet when you are away or that your pet stays at someone else’s house.
Attach reference letters from current or past landlords, neighbors, certificates of completion of obedience/training classes, references from your pet’s trainer or groomer and a photo.
Be a Responsible Pet Owner
Once you have found housing that allows pets, it is your responsibility to be a good neighbor.
Always clean up after your dog and dispose of waste in a sanitary manner.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times,
Keep information on what to do in case of an emergency readily available.
Never leave your pet outdoors unattended.
Sample Pet Resumes
RALPH
Parents: Lydia and Sam Johnson
Present Address: 2002 SW 22 Street, Apt. 102, Miami, FL 33333
Description
Ralph is a very friendly lab mix. He is well-behaved and accustomed to apartment life. He is 4 years old but is quite mature for his age. We have had him since he was about two and love him just as we would our real son.
Training
Graduate of Miami-Dade County Adult Dog Training Class in 2001. Ralph is completely housebroken. If we give him a verbal command, he obeys. He only barks if a stranger enters the apartment.
Activities
We walk Ralph three times a day. On weekends we take him to the dog park. He sleeps in bed with us at night and loves to ride in the car.
Health/Grooming
Ralph was neutered at 2 years of age shortly after we adopted him. His vaccination record is attached along with a copy of his last annual exam. Frontline for fleas and ticks is applied as a topical, systemic parasite treatment once a month. A copy of our records of his treatments is attached. He is bathed regularly at our parents’ house.
About Us
We always carry supplies to clean up waste when we walk Ralph. When we go away he either stays at our parents’ house or we have a petsitter stay at our apartment with him. The pet sitter’s name, address and phone number are attached. We are willing to pay the required pet security deposit. We are members of animal welfare organizations and have adopted Ralph from a local shelter.
References
We are currently residents of the Greenbriar Valley Apartments, Tel. 305-555-5555. The manager, Henry Lucas, would be happy to give you a reference for Ralph.
We would be happy for you to meet Ralph, visit him in his current home and check him to see how he is doing after he moves in.
FELIX
Parents: Silvia and George Fernandez
Present Address: 917 St. Tropez Way, Apt. 320 Coral Gables, FL 34404
Description
Felix is a 3-year old domestic short-hair male cat. We have had him for 2 years
and he has been an indoor-only cat. He has two large scratching posts, which he
uses exclusively when he sharpens his claws. He is completely litterbox trained.
We consider him a member of our family, as we have no children.
Health/Grooming
Felix is neutered. We live on the third floor and have no flea problem. He is in good health (see copy of vet records attached). He has a microchip for identification purposes if he was ever lost or stolen. (Microchip papers attached.)
About Us
We are responsible parents. We keep his litterbox clean, and put dirty litter in a sealed bag. His pet sitter comes in twice a day if we are away (contact information attached). We agree to pay the pet security deposit.
References
Our current landlord is Samuel Phipps and can be reached at 305-267-5434. Please see attached letter of recommendation and other documentation.
Landlords can increase the marketability of their apartments by welcoming responsible pet owners. Studies have shown that there are lower vacancy rates, lower turnovers, enhanced tenant commitment to property, happier, more satisfied tenants and an increased sense of building safety and security. You do not have to accept all pet owners if you accept one or some. In fact, you should be selective. If you find you have a problem tenant, you can resort to implementing the structured pet guidelines which you should have in place. Another option is to offer the tenant to go on a month-to-month basis until the tenant proves he can be a responsible pet owner.
It is advisable for a pet committee to be established to handle any problems that may arise.
The pet committee should consist of pet owners, non-pet owners, veterinarians and persons from local humane groups. This committee should not try to police the residents, but should emphasize caring for each other. By providing peer pressure and peer support for responsible pet ownership, the management is spared from having to deal with problems. Pro-active pet committees should think in terms of prevention as well. Projects such as offering on-site dog obedience classes and providing dog runs or dog-walk areas would be worthwhile programs to implement.
It is also advisable to require tenants to sign a lease rider. This document should include the name, address and telephone number of the veterinarian responsible for the pet’s care and the name, address and telephone number of two pet caretakers who are delegated to care for the pet should the resident become unable to do so.
As a precaution a pet security deposit should be required but the amount should be reasonable.
Open Door Miami Landlords’ Guide
Suggested Pet Guidelines
Pet-ownership agreements between housing management and residents should be in writing and pet owners should sign a pet rider. This document should state that the tenant is liable for any damage done by pets.
Cats must be kept indoors and dogs must be on a leash. When cats are being transported they must be in carriers. If the housing unit is a house or townhouse, dogs should not be left alone in the yard when the owner isn’t home and chaining or tethering should not be allowed.
Reptiles and other exotic animals should not be allowed.
A limitation on the number of pets per apartment should be stated in the guidelines. It is not recommended to limit to just one animal per housing unit because usually two pets can keep each other company while the tenant is away and they tend to not get in trouble that way.
Do not allow dogs of a vicious or aggressive disposition.
Applications for puppies or kittens should be closely reviewed because of the special needs and behavioral activities of such young animals.
A rule should be in place that all cats and dogs should be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age.
It should be required that cats be kept indoors, but it should not be mandated that they be de-clawed.
A pet application form should be completed and signed, including a photo of the pet.
Areas for walking dogs should be designated and owners made responsible for cleaning up waste.
Cat litter should never be disposed of in toilets nor dropped down trash chutes unless securely bagged.
Management Responsibilities
Pet ownership options should be clearly posted.
Tenants should be advised about the pet ownership guidelines.
Management should keep records of owners’ and pets’ pertinent information, deposits, etc.
Management should carry out the pet committee’s recommendations by issuing warnings or terminating the pet rider of a pet owner who does not follow the guidelines.
Instructions for disposal of pet waste and kitty litter should be clearly posted.
Management should not require de-clawing of cats. Instead, the pet owner should be liable for any destruction of property.
Sample Pet Rider
This pet rider to the lease between ______________________________(tenant)
and ___________________________(management) is made a part of the lease entered into between the parties on _____________________(date).
- 1. Both parties have read, agreed to, and signed the attached Pet Guidelines in effect for the complex.
- 2. The resident will keep his/her pet in a responsible manner and provide proper care for the pet as detailed in the Pet Guidelines.
- 3. In accordance with the Pet Guidelines, below are the name, address, and telephone numbers of two pet caretakers who, by signing this form, will assume responsibility for the pet should the resident become unable to care for the pet. Also provided below are the name, address, and telephone number of the veterinarian responsible for the pet’s health care.
PET CARETAKER #1
Name: ____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________
PET CARETAKER #2
Name: ____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________
VETERINARIAN:
Name: ____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
Telephone: ____________________________________
- 4. If the resident is unable to provide the name of a pet caretaker, he/she will provide details of other arrangements which have been made for the proper care of the pet.
- 5. The pet owner agrees to abide by each rule enumerated in the Pet Guidelines attached hereto, and incorporated by reference.
- 6. Non-compliance shall be sufficient cause for termination of the residential lease to which this rider is attached.
- 7. It is the pet owner’s responsibility to update the information listed in item 3.
_____________________________________________(tenant)
_____________________________________________(date)
_____________________________________________(management)
_____________________________________________(date)
Bibliography
“Five Million More Homes are Waiting.” Smiller, Ruth, Animal People, March 2000.
“Model Guidelines for Implementing a Pet Policy in Multi-Unit Housing,” Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and American Humane Education Society.
“Pets in Housing Guidelines,” The Humane Society of the United States.
“Pets in Housing Resources,” Delta Society, www.deltasociety.org, May 2002.
“Pets in People Places: Responsible Pet Ownership in Multi-Unit Housing,” Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 1994.
“Property Management: How a Pets-Allowed Policy Can Work for You,” Peterson, Nancy. October 1998.
“Rentals with Heart,” Adams, Cindy A. ASPCA Animal Watch, Winter, 2001.
“The San Francisco Open Door Program,” San Francisco SPCA, 1993.
Miami Pets Alive, Inc.
PO Box 347673
Coral Gables, Florida 33234
Tel 305 476-LIVE
Fax 305 448-4885
Printing of this brochure made possible through a grant of the Dade County Veterinary Foundation.
