I have been having a difficult time finding a pet friendly apartment for my dog and I.
It’s ridiculous with the lack of apartments there is for us. I don’t want to live in Sackville, Dartmouth, or Spryfield. Where the hell are the places in Halifax for us that’s affordable? I don’t want to have to find a home for my 6 pound dog away from me. She’s my best friend!
After hours and days of searching, having a difficult time, and no responses, I am just so frustrated right now. —Unhappy Poochie Owner
This article appears in Aug 18-24, 2011.
I love you for saying this! There is nothing I hate more than people who ditch a pet because they can’t find an apartment that will take pets!!! Or because they get a new BF or GF that doesn’t like their pet!!! Landlords – So raise the damage deposit a bit if you’re worried about – what are you worried about?!?
There wouldn’t be a problem if there were more responsible dog owners. Until that’s resolved, it’s going to be a tough sell to any landlord. My mother had a few tenants with animals in her upstairs flat years back – they left it in a smelly shambles that ended up costing her plenty of bucks for cleanup. And these lovely tenants all claimed their animals were well behaved.
Define affordable? This ranges anywhere from $350 – $5000………ya want us to just pick a random number and post it on kijiji for ya?
Valid bitch, OP.
Good for you for sticking by Poochie.
http://www.rentdonkey.ca/Halifax
Check out this website, lets you search and also lists pet friendly places within your search area.
yeah, I think the operable word is ‘affordable’ . there are plenty of places who are willing to accommodate, but want to ensure that you aren’t just going to let it tear the place to shreds and leave. If you’re willing to put 1 k down on a deposit, I’m pretty sure some places would change their tune.
question is… would you be willing to?
perhaps you should have found a suitable list of places before either
A. getting the dog or
B. choosing to move to this hell hole … whichever came second.
There are places though… just look for the turd piles near an apartment building…
they’re a good indicator.
and a good indicator why you’re having so much trouble in the first place.
unless it’s a 6 lb. jack russell, i can’t see it doing much damage. they’re tenacious little feckers http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/201…
I dunno, I think having a dog in an apartment is a little backwards, even a small one. I could see why people don’t want to have animals in their buildings. My building allows one pet, but it’s *gasp* in Dartmouth. I love dogs but I’m going to wait until I can afford my own place, as in a house or something with a yard, like a duplex, townhouse or something of that nature.
Tough luck OP, should have considered this before betting the pooch.
I think it’s a little unfair to coup up a dog in an apartment.
There are condos that rent to people with animals (dogs, cats)…..but doesn’t sound like you can afford the monthly rent if you’re looking for something affordable. “I don’t want to live in Sackville, Dartmouth, or Spryfield” …. OP, no one does, unless you like bullets, poor people, and the uneducated.
Nobody likes your dog but you. Get used to it.
i like their dog and i’ve never met it…woof woof http://www.asdlabs.com/blog/wp-content/upl…
a 6 pound or a hundred pounds don’t matter fuck all, when they desroy the apt., you know that. if you owned a place, would you really want to rent to someone, that could destroy your property? i doubt it very much.
Op, don’t mention that you have a pet until you have met a potential landlord in person. Make a good impression and they might just allow your pet. This worked for me when I had an 80 pound dog. I always managed to find great rentals and nice landlords, and I always got a great reference at the end, because I upheld my end of the bargain and left all my flats so clean you could lick the floors if you wanted to. Once you find a decent landlord who allows your pet, make it a point to be the best tenant someone could ask for, and doors will open as a result of that glowing reference you recieve, dog or no dog.
Legally the damage deposit CAN’T be raised. As per the residential tenancies act, a landlord can only charge half of one month’s rent, snubiz.
The problem *is* even people with the dogs from hell who destroy everything say their dog is ‘special’ and isn’t destructive. I know a lot of dogs who’s owners are responsible, but it’s the bad owners who give all doggies a bad name.
I’m kind of with tommy on this too — I don’t think it’s fair to have a dog in an apartment. Maybe a flat owner would be more receptive? Usually with flats there’s SOME outdoor space….
When we were looking for apartments about 5 years ago we looked at one place where the tenants had JUST moved out of and they had trashed it. We asked about cats and they said no because cats are too destructive. My dad was with us and I remember him saying “you’ll rent to a bunch of pigs, but you won’t rent to someone with a cat?”
Anyway I also strongly agree with zed too. In places like toronto, you can’t be kicked out because you have a dog. If your dog was with you when you lived in a more dog-friendly city, then you should’ve done some research into halifax and its policies on dogs, or looked into that before getting the dog if you are from here.
In any event, I hope you do fine something for you and your dog. Rents in Halifax are ridiculous, even for those of us without dogs. 🙁
there was a 14 year old fur kid in the shop today. i think halifax is very dog friendly, maybe not so with renting. don’t worry miss kitty, we got’s a big yard and a shack^^
Tommy, you really should not judge people who have pets in small apartments as opposed to houses. Why does a dog need a big house? Are you going to play fetch with a frisbee in the house??? A dog doesn’t require 2000 square feet to chew on a bone…or sleep, or eat, and a well-cared for dog doesn’t do more than that in a house.
Dogs who are left out in gardens become territorial and sometimes even feral; dogs are pack animals and belong indoors with their families. A backyard is a substandard place to run and exersize your pet: it grows boring for them very quickly; it’s a lazy owner’s solution to providing fresh air to their pet.
When my dog was still alive, he went everywhere with me; he had such an active, happy life, that it didn’t matter how small my flat was; it was nothing more than a place for r&r for him.
PS: I’m with you there Pk on flats as opposed to apartments; you definetly need quick outdoor access with a dog.
About apartments and dogs, it really depends on the size of the dog and its energy level… nothing wrong with a little toy dog in an apartment, you can always train them to pee on those disposable mats if you’re not home. My problem is when people buy dogs when they’re away from the house for long hours, with no one to break the monotony. Same goes for people who work all kinds of odd hours, dogs need some regularity.
I personally find indoor cats worse than dogs… Dogs at least can learn to go outside. And as for dogs in apartments, it totally depends on breeds as people have said. Size isn’t always a good indicator. I have a giant dog and live in a roomy apartment. He’s a breed that is happy to sleep most of the day, play with his kong and snuggle (provided he gets a couple generous walks and some mental exercise). I know small dogs that are absolute terrors… Barking, not house trained… You never know!
That being said I’ve had three dog friendly apartments in as many years in Halifax! Maybe I’m just lucky but if you search hard you should be able to find something. Sometimes you have to make accommodations or push around to get your foot in the door (or don’t mention you have a dog, or look for cat friendly apartments… and then mention it once you’ve met and made a good impression) but it’s possible. Good luck for you and your pooch.
WOULD YOU RENT TO THIS DOG?
Look at Wynnie, my avatar. Would you rent to someone who owned her? Neither would I. She’s, well, she’s a bitch.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
I agree that finding an apartment that allows dogs is difficult. I have two, eighty pound dogs and have found some decent apartments that allow them. First, when looking, start by crossing off any apartments in a building, don’t even bother going to view them. Second, when you have already seen the apartment, and you have displayed maturity and built a relationship with the landlord, tell him you have a small dog. Sometimes just by meeting you and realizing you aren’t a douchebag (and there are many out there) they can make an exception. This approach has worked for me in the past, and I own a pitbull-bullmastiff mix weighing in at 95lbs. Don’t get me wrong, this may take 5 or 6 or even 10 tries, but someone will cave if they think you will be a good trouble free tenant.
she is a beautiful bitch monsieur, i would be pleased to have her on my chesterfield
I’d rent to her too paingirl, but definately not to her owner. She may be a bitch, but at least dogs are honest.
I can’t say I blame landlords for hesitating to rent out apartments to people with dogs or cats because there so many irresponsible pet owners. Particularly dogs, they need their human companions to be around for a good portion of the day. If not they suffer separation anxiety and can be destructive in such a state or they might howl disturbing neighbours.
I think cats are a better pet for an apartment as they have less dependence on the human and usually are easily litterbox trained.
I think OP is being too fussy for the situation they are in. Dartmouth and Lower Sackville have some fine areas to live and it gives them a better chance of finding a pet-friendly spot.
Nothing wrong with an indoor cat. In fact, those are the best types of kitties. There’s no reason in the world for a cat to go outdoors. My kitties are in great shape, healthy as two little horses (especially now that molly’s lip ulcers have gone away! her fur is healthier and softer and puffier and she’s running around and more alert! yay molly!!!). Both have no desire to go outside, and in fact, oscar took a journey outside a few months ago and started crying and ran back in. They’re quiet, well behaved animals who sleep during the night, during most of the day and play in non destructive ways. My cats haven’t once scratched anything and are great with having their claws clipped. Molly actually won’t even wake up when hers are being clipped.
All they need is a clean litter box, some fresh (and GOOD) food and water, lots of pats and a soft spot to sleep on (or for oscar his ‘bunker’ under my bed).
Don’t be dissin’ the kitties. They’re better suited to living in apartments than cats. Plus you can leave ’em for a couple days and you don’t have to worry about ’em. Just make sure you get two for company if you’re out during the day.
There *is* a reason, guys, why landlords are more willing to rent to people with cats than people with dogs.
Plus, you don’t have to wash a cat. They’re self cleaning! 🙂
*more suited to living in apartments than dogs, not cats.
RSVPs
: The Turd (Aug. 24, 8:43PM) – “She may be a bitch, but at least dogs are honest.”
The Turd libels me with the charge of being “dishonest” but, of course, gives no evidence to support it. That is why it is called “libel” which is actionable in a court of law but unfortunately not on Bitch. The Turd has never been able to reconcile himself to the fact that I have a Ph.D. and he doesn’t. The realization is gall and vinegar for him, but that is his problem.
He has devoted all his posts, at least where I am concerned, to an unrelenting but failed attack on me. (As a matter of fact, I have just at this moment finished foiling another assault on “Reality Check,” Comment #67.)
The Turd has no evidence to support his charge that I am “dishonest.” His opinions, whatever they might be and whoever may share them, do not constitute such evidence. This is the last time I shall even acknowledge such charges.
A pleasure as always.
Cheerio!
– The Turd has no evidence to support his charge that I am “dishonest.” –
“The story about the natives of the Galapagos Islands is instructive. They had no trouble recognizing the small rowing boat that put off from Darwin’s ship “The Beagle” to come ashore since they themselves used canoes. However, they failed to recognze The Beagle itself.”
“Charles Darwin – “The Voyage of the Beagle.” 1839. (pp. 40-43)”
Sorry, what?
Actually I didn’t “charge” you of being dishonest, I implied it.
Fucking simpleton, doesn’t know the difference.
Sebastian – you are an elitist jerk.
” “I don’t want to live in Sackville, Dartmouth, or Spryfield” …. OP, no one does, unless you like bullets, poor people, and the uneducated. “
Never seen a gun or reported issues in my neigbourhood, I am not poor nor are my neighbours, and I am very educated. I just happen to like living in Dartmouth – And I’ve lived in the South End and the West End and Spryfield. This is my preference from experience and the feeling of neighbourhood I get from where I live now. My neighbourhood is just that, a neighbourhood and we all care about our homes because they’re our homes and we’re not renting, we own where we live and we take care of the properties. Something most normal people in Halifax can’t do since prices are so outlandish to do anything but rent a crappy flat in the ‘good’ part of town. Try crossing the bridge, strolling around some of these lovely neigbourhoods where you can tell people care about where they live and those around them. The noisiest thing in my neighbourhood is the sound of a bus in the distance. Try that off Quinpool Road.
As for you OP – try coming across the bridge yourself and looking for an apartment. There are so many in people’s lower levels over here where the back yard is yours! Mine for instance is fully fenced and it rents for a reasonable price. Close to all major shopping but quiet and dog friendly. Can’t get that in Halifax.
Sebaceous lives in a store-room at SeeHoggz. On Friday nights he dances for quarters.
http://462vic.whitefield.hostingrails.com/…
http://www.sogeshirts.com/images/shirt%20i…
Cats are not only accepted in some neighbourhoods, they’re welcomed. If there are vermin about, many cats will provide at least a visual deterrent to other, less welcome critters, if not a practical deterrent (mine’s an indoor cat _now_ but has proved an effective hunter.) Again, because of cats’ tendency towards cleanliness and low-maintenance (and quietness), when uncontained pets are allowed at all rental managers strongly favour teh kittehz.
That said, your dog may find a welcome home with you somewhere in this city, but it will depend on a) your dog and b) the building. A barking dog may prove a noise problem in some buildings, and some breeds simply cannot handle being kept in small spaces for long periods of time. While apartments are still plentiful on the Peninsula, the rents under $900 for two bedrooms are not, at least not with the major property companies. You may be able to score a basement or attic apartment or semi from a homeowner; given your circumstances, this may be the best option for you.
It sucks. I have a dog too and luckily have a place that allows her to be here. It is frustrating how few places allow pets. Cats are slightly easier, but dogs are near impossible.
Unfortunately the irresponsbiles have ruined it for the rest of us. Because those people were idiots we are all forever tarnished. I love my dog and can’t imagine what I’d do without her. Its like this city expects people to not have pets.