Figuring out what to pack with you to New York City is one major task a lot of movers wrestle with. But there’s another dilemma that you might be facing at the moment. What about Fido? There is no question that our pets are a member of our family. We can’t get through the day without giving or getting endless amounts of love from our cats or dogs. What’s unfortunate is that when people move, usually these pets end up being taken in by their local animal shelters. We can assure you that this will be the very last thing you’ll ever have to do before moving.
If you haven’t found a place to move to yet, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll share with you a few ideas on how you can find a place in New York City that will accept pets. Bear in mind, this is a stressful process. But eventually, you’ll be able to find a place for you and your furry friend. Without further ado, here we go:
Do A Thorough Search: If you are looking for a place to live, your best resources are websites like Craigslist, Apartments.com or an equivalent. In this situation, you’ll be using a little advanced trick using what is known as a boolean search. So for example, you can enter “accepts pets” in the search function. Some websites will have filters that will allow you to narrow down available apartments by specific needs and preferences.
Ask Questions: If you come across a post for space available and the information is vague, it’s always best to investigate further. Not only this will give you the idea to figure out if the posting is legit, but also you’ll be able to dig deeper into what’s going on in the nearby area. And if you are allowed to bring your pets with you. This will depend on the person renting the place out. They may not allow pets for health reasons (i.e: allergies). Or they may not allow them at all for the purpose of saving money due to pet fees or because they might be neat freaks.
There are apartments that will allow dogs, but they have to be a certain breed or size. While your Chihuahua is acceptable, your German Shepherd may not be ideal. Also, you’ll need to keep in mind about any pet fees. Speaking of which…
Take Inventory Of Pet Fees: If you do come across an apartment or living space that will allow pets, then half the work is done. The other half is figuring out if you’ll be able to afford it financially. Most landlords and renters will charge you an extra fee on top of your monthly rent because you own a pet. You’ll need to pay close attention to the fees as they may differ. Some pet fees will have a flat fee. Meaning regardless of the size of your dog, that’s the rate you’ll pay every month. Some will differ based on a dog’s breed or size. That means you’ll pay more if you have your Siberian Husky living with you than the lady down the hall who has the yappy, but very outgoing Goldendoodle.
Find Pet-Friendly Places To Visit: Assuming that you and your pet have found a place and are ready to settle in, the next thing you’ll want to check out is any pet-friendly places that may be available in your nearby area. After all, this is New York City. You should have no trouble finding a place that will be friendly to not only you, but for your furry friend too!
No pet shouldn’t want to stay cooped up at home. But if they are more of the homebody types, we won’t blame them. If you have a dog, see if you can find a dog park that is in a short distance of where you’ll live. Also, get an idea of where you can walk your dog on a regular basis. There are even bars where you can even bring your dog too. If you don’t believe that, Google it. In fact, take a few minutes to Google “pet-friendly places in New York City”. You will have a lot of options to work with. And you won’t be disappointed with what will be available at your disposal.
When You Can’t Bring Your Pet With You:
Some people that move will be faced with this reality. For a lot of us, letting go of our pets is the most difficult thing that any person will ever do. Because the bond between a person and their pet is strong. We love them and they love us right back. If you happen to be in this situation, consider the following:
Find A Trusted Friend Or Family Member: While this may be a temporary arrangement or not, the last thing you’ll want to do is trust your furry friend with a stranger. And though you may have nothing against animal shelters who try to find forever homes for pets (and we don’t either), you’ll have a better peace of mind in knowing that your pet will be in the care of someone you know and trust. Even better if your parents are cool with taking your pet in. It’s like they never left the family at all.
If and when a time comes where you move into a place where they can allow pets, you’ll be able to happily reunite with your pet and live a good life in the Big Apple.
Conclusion
Finding a place to live in New York City that allows pets is not an impossible task. But it will take a little more extra work. Be sure to consider the ideas listed above and be prepared to have a friend or family member in mind in case you are unable to bring your pet with you.