It's disappointing
when the only thing holding someone back from that perfect apartment is a
"no pets allowed" clause. Rather than going through the extra effort
of finding a rental unit which fits their personal criteria and accepts their
pet, some people think they have no other choice than to leave Fido or Fifi
behind. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has created a web site
dedicated to easing the difficulties of finding a great apartment that will
welcome both you and your pet.
According to
the Humane Society, 'moving', and 'the landlord won't allow' are the top reasons
given by pet owners when relinquishing their dogs or cats to animal shelters.
Brooke County Animal Shelter puts anywhere from twenty to thirty animals to
sleep per day. "It's not something we enjoy. We try to save as many animals
for as long as we can, but we can only do so much," says one employee.
Making an extra
effort to find a place which will accept you along with your pet may be time
consuming, however, HSUS points out the benefits of pet ownership:
# Pets provide
companionship. There are few things more satisfying than the attention and
affection of a good friend. Wagging tails, contented purrs, and adoring looks
are all ways companion animals communicate with people and demonstrate their
devotion. Many people talk to their pets and consider them members of the
family.
# Pets give us
someone to care for. When you add up the small daily acts of caring for a
pet - feeding, grooming, exercising - the sum total is a pet owner with a
feeling of being needed. Having that sense of purpose and responsibility is
a valuable learning tool for children and can help fight loneliness, boredom,
and depression, especially in the elderly or socially isolated.
# Pets help people
be more sociable. People out walking their dogs have a greater tendency to
socialize with passersby; their pets give them security and provide a ready-made
topic for conversation. Even among families and friends, pets provide a focus
of conversation and activity.
# Pets stimulate
exercise. Pets promote vitality through active exercise - such as brisk walking
and outdoor games - or therapy for disabled hands through regular grooming
of pets.
# Pets comfort
with touch. The gentle stroking of a pet can reduce stress and lower blood
pressure and, when combined with quiet talk, create a feeling of relaxation,
intimacy, and closeness.
Hoping to reduce
the number of animals unnecessarily put to sleep, the Humane Society attempts
to bridge the gap between reluctant landlords and pet lovers by addressing
the needs and concerns of both parties. Visit the HSUS web site at: http://www.rentwithpets.org/
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