Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - How to Choose Pet Friendly Housing - 13 Steps to Find Pet-Friendly Rental Housing

Sep 4, 2026

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control provides a practical, step-by-step guide for locating rental homes that welcome pets. It explains how to plan ahead, understand why many communities refuse animals, and use local humane society and animal care resources to find pet-friendly options. The guide focuses on building landlord confidence through documentation, training and veterinary proof, making clear requests, addressing cleanliness and prior concerns, and presenting both the pet and the owner responsibly to improve approval odds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

HOWTO CHOOSE PET FRIENDLY HOUSING

13 STEPS TO FINDING PET-FRIENDLY RENTAL HOUSING

Planning your search timeline

Understanding pet restrictions and rejection reasons

Using community resources and guides

Identifying best target properties for pet acceptance

Gathering proof of responsible pet ownership

Requesting approval from the right authority

Addressing prior issues and cleanliness concerns

Promoting yourself and your pet effectively

Preparing for meetings and demonstrating flea control

Ensuring safe pet containment (cats indoors, dogs under control)

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control HOWTO CHOOSE PET FRIENDLY HOUSING 13 STEPS TO FINDING PET-FRIENDLY RENTAL HOUSING Give yourself enough time. Nobody likes the hassles involved with moving. As a pet owner you have the added responsibility of moving your pet, as well. If you are renting now, start to check ads and contact Realtors and rental agencies weeks before your lease expires. If you are contemplating buying a condominium, expect your search to take at least four to six months. Understand why many housing communities reject pets. Put yourself in the shoes of a landlord, housing manager, or condominium association board for a moment: you may have had bad experiences with irresponsible pet owners who didn't safely confine their animals or pick up their feces, sneaked pets in, or left ruined carpets and drapes when they moved out. You may be worried about complaints from neighbors and wonder how you are going to deal effectively with pet owners if problems arise. All of these concerns are legitimate. That's why a person looking for an apartment, house, or condominium must be able to sell him or herself as a responsible pet owner, someone who is committed to providing responsible pet care. Make use of available resources. Contact the humane society or animal care and control agency serving the area into which you are moving; they may be able to provide you with a list of apartments or condominiums that allow pets. If you know any Realtors, rental agents, or resident managers who own pets themselves or who share your love of animals, ask them for leads. And while there is no substitute for making a professional connection with someone who understandshow important it is to you to keep your pet, look for a community apartment guidebook atthe supermarket or near newspaper distribution boxes on the street. It may indicate which apartment communities allow pets, what size, and how many. In addition, be sure to check your local newspaper and online list of links to sites that list pet-friendly For more information on animal care, behavior or AC&C programs contact (602) 506-PETS [or visit pets.maricopa.gov](or visit pets.maricopa.gov)[ ](or visit pets.maricopa.gov)Reprinted with permission from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals HOWTO CHOOSE PET FRIENDLY HOUSING Continued Page 2 apartments. Recognize that it may be futile to try to sell yourself and your pet to a large rental community with a no-pets policy. You're more likely to be successful if you focus on those that say they allow most pets, allow certain pets (for example, cats or dogs weighing less than twenty pounds), or that don't say, "Sorry, no pets." Individual home and condominium owners may be easiest to persuade. Ideally, look for a community with appropriate petkeeping guidelines that specify resident obligations. That's the kind of place that's ideal for pet owners because you'll know that other pet owners there are also committed to being responsible residents. Gather proof that you're responsible. The more documentation you can provide attesting to your conscientiousness as a pet owner, the more convincing your appeal will be to your future landlord. Compile the following documents: A letter of reference from your current landlord or condominium association verifying that you are a responsible pet owner. Written proof that you've enrolled your dog in a training class. A letter from your veterinarian stating that you have been diligent in your pet's medical care. Supply a pet health report and documentation that your pet has been spayed or neutered. (A sterilized pet will be healthier, calmer, and far less likely to be a nuisance to neighbors.) Make your request to the individual or group who has the ultimate authority to grant you permission. Usually this will be the owner of the house or apartment. The owner may, however, delegate the decision to a property manager or resident manager. Check to see if,

FAQs

Why do many housing communities reject pets, and how can tenants respond?

They may worry about irresponsible pet care, damage, noise, neighbor complaints, or improper cleanup. The guide advises tenants to present themselves as responsible owners committed to proper pet care and compliance with guidelines.

What resources can help find pet-friendly apartments or condominiums?

Contact the local humane society or the animal care and control agency serving the move-to area for lists of pet-allowing communities. The guide also suggests using realtor or resident-manager leads and checking community guides, newspapers, and online listings.

What documentation strengthens a tenant’s request for pet approval?

The guide recommends reference letters from the current landlord or association, proof of dog training enrollment, a veterinarian letter confirming medical diligence, and a pet health report including proof the pet has been spayed or neutered.

Sep 4, 2026

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