1. Before you do anything, check your lease

Many apartment leases have very specific rules and regulations when it comes to pets, including size, weight and breed restrictions, as well as restrictions on the number of pets. In addition, you may find that regardless of whether you have pets in your apartment, you’re not allowed to have “visiting” pets at any time—even if the pets come attached to family members! If your lease specifically prohibits pets, you can try talking to your landlord, but don’t get your hopes up. Cleaning apartments between pets can be very expensive, and those apartments that are not “pet-friendly” are likely going to stay that way.

Note, it also goes without saying, if you have a roommate, make sure they are on board with a new pet in the home, and that any shared responsibilities for the pet are clearly laid out!

2. Can you afford the pet rent—and total pet costs?

Increasingly, apartments that do allow you to have pets tack on an additional “pet rent” each month over and above a one-time pet deposit. Make sure you include this amount in your monthly expenses as well as additional costs such as food and pet supplies. If this is your first pet (or a new puppy or kitten), those costs can add up. According to the ASPCA, first-year expenses generally total around $1,580 for a medium-sized dog, and about $1,055 for your average cat…and that’s before you figure in the costs of chewed up blinds or carpets. Pets can be totally worth it, but it’s best to be prepared!

3. Do you have an apartment that’s “truly” pet friendly?

Even if your apartment bills itself as friendly for pets, is it really an ideal environment for a dog or cat? This consideration matters more for dogs, particularly larger breeds. Does your complex have walking trails or, even better, a dog park? Are the walls between you and your neighbors unusually thin (a good way to tell…do YOU ever hear barking dogs in neighboring apartments?) Is your current or planned apartment a townhome with a ground level entry (particularly to a small patio or greenspace) or are you stuck on the third floor? Imagine having to let your dog outside in the middle of winter, in a storm, on a dark and bitter night. Seriously, you’ll want that first-floor access!

4. Are you in the right stage of life for a pet?

If you are traveling a great deal, have a very young child, work around the clock or with unpredictable hours, or can’t handle your life being slightly out of control, you may want to think long and hard about getting a high-maintenance pet, such as a puppy. In fact, if the above sounds like your life but you desperately want an animal companion, a cat may be a far better choice (though even cats need regular care!) Alternatively, you can set pet ownership as a goal down the line, when your work schedule and life circumstances allow.

Above all else, you want to take on a pet when it’s the right time both for you and your new friend. That said, as long as you’ve prepared for pet ownership and are ready to open your heart (and your apartment) to a four-legged pal, hooray! This just may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

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The right answer on pet ownership depends on your unique circumstances, but if your community allows pets in your apartment or townhome and you’re thinking about taking the leap, read on for some questions you should consider first!

1. Does my lifestyle support pet ownership?

This is probably the most important question you should ask yourself, so plan on spending some serious time working through the answer. Owning a pet is more than making sure it’s fed on a daily basis. If you’re considering owning a dog, you will need to be home often enough to take it outside to use the bathroom—and you’ll need a place where you can easily walk it. Even a cat requires some maintenance, including regular feeding and litterbox cleaning. If your job requires a lot of travel, who will watch your pet while you’re gone? And if you are always on the go and spend long hours away from home—is that fair to your pet (or to you, since you’ll be the one feeling guilty?)

2. Can I afford a pet?

The most beguiling words in the animal kingdom are “free puppy.” Even if you adopt an animal from the local shelter (which is a wonderful path to take!) you need to be aware that a pet is not a free proposition. In addition to regular (or semi-regular) vet visits, starting with a pet’s initial battery of shots or the procedure to spay/neuter the animal, you’ll be paying for food, treats, toys, medicines and even the occasional reindeer antlers and winter sweaters. No really, you will. So make sure you have enough in your monthly budget to allow for the expense of a pet!

3. Am I a pet person?

This one is harder to answer, especially if you had a pet as a child and remember little more than rolling around in the yard, laughing and having fun. Now, as an adult with some ingrained habits, are you prepared for a cat to pounce onto your bed at 4 a.m. demanding to be fed, or a puppy needing desperately to go outside—even though it’s pouring rain? Pets also can have different personalities. Some are a little standoffish…while others want to be in your personal space all the time! Are you ready to be the pet owner your pet believes you can be?

4. Where will you be in a year—or five?

While it’s difficult to predict the future, owning a pet isn’t a short-term proposition. If you plan on leaving for a year of backpacking Europe within the next several months, this would not be the time to adopt a pet. Conversely, if you’re planning on moving apartments soon, it may be a better decision to wait until you are settled before adding a pet to your life. Animals need time to acclimate to a new environment—especially after being rescued from a shelter—so keep this in mind as you consider when to adopt.

If you’re ready to move forward with adopting a pet (and your apartment community allows it!), then prepare yourself for an adventure that will likely bring you more joy and love than you could ever expect. With the right mindset and a willingness to work through any challenges, pet ownership can be a life-changing experience that you’ll never regret!

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