Yes, Unfortunately, Your Pet Needs a Resume Now, Too

One of my girlfriends recently finished a prestigious fellowship. She was refreshing her resume, launching her job search, and then began looking for rentals in San Francisco. That’s when she learned her two medium-sized dogs also needed resumes. No, this isn’t a joke about Bay Area real estate being so expensive that your dog needs to have a side hustle. In my friend’s case, her dogs needed a “resume” to go along with applications to pet-friendly rentals.

“What?!” I exclaimed in disbelief. (But mostly relief to no longer be in the rental market. My naughty Boston Terrier was expelled from doggy daycare for “excessive humping” and he paws at vinyl blinds like he’s playing an electric guitar. I’m not sure his resume would pass the muster).

As it turns out, though—and I’ve confirmed this with property management experts—dog resumes are slowly becoming a thing. If you’re about to search for a pet-friendly apartment, you might want to have one at the ready, along with your first month’s rent and deposit.

“The resume is that extra boost to show the landlord how amazing your dog is and how the dog won’t be a disturbance to the apartment and fellow neighbors,” says Phillip Salem, a dog-obsessive and real estate agent with Triplemint in New York City.

Most renters should consider creating a pet resume to streamline the move-in process, agrees Ann Kanz, regional marketing manager at Morgan Properties, an apartment management firm based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. 

At the very least, resumes should include photos of the pet and vaccination records. But, Kanz also suggests bringing your pet in for a visit so the staff can become more acquainted with your furry friend.

Here’s what else you need to know about your pet’s resume:

From a landlord’s perspective, there are a few things to worry about when tenants have pets, explains Laurence Jankelow, a landlord and cofounder at Avail, an online platform for independent landlords. Landlords want to know: Does the dog bite? Does the dog bark or make a lot of noise? And does the pet damage stuff—like scratching the floors or chewing up carpet?

“A dog resume may help a tenant make the case that their dog doesn’t do these things, and can possibly help them to negotiate a lower pet rent or pet deposit,” Jankelow says.

First things first: No matter how much of a good boy (or girl) your dog is, your landlord doesn’t love your dog like you do, Jankelow says. 

“So when writing your dog’s resume, it’s best to include all the things that show your dog isn’t a liability,” he suggests. Stick to the facts!

With that in mind, here’s a definitive list of everything that should be covered on your pet’s resume: 

Include information about your pet, like his or her name, breed, age, weight or size, spay or neuter status, suggests Brentnie Daggett, a real estate expert with Rentec Direct, a property management industry website. Some landlords or property managers have breed restrictions, so you don’t want to waste your time (and theirs) if the rental won’t be a good fit for you and your dog. Include your name and address, too, in case your application gets separated from your pet’s resume.

“A photo can show a lot of personality,” Daggett says. “If your dog is a gentle giant, choose a photo that shows it. Certain breeds or sizes can scare off landlords, so get your dog’s good side to show how great your best friend truly is.”

Here’s where you can list notable information like obedience school classes and special training.

“Don’t forget to include special activities if warranted,” Daggett says. “A K9 reading program for children or local elementary school visits can say a lot about your dog’s behavior.”

Include a document proving your dog is up-to-date on vaccines, says Jankelow. Include your veterinarian’s name and contact information. Also, list medications like flea and tick repellent and how often you administer it, Daggett suggests.

Ask a previous landlord or a pet sitter to provide a reference, or be available for a reference check, suggests Lauren Elliott, a property manager with Philadelphia-based GM Holdings, LLC.

“That could be exactly what is needed to secure your spot at your new home,” she says. “Even though past behavior does not always predict future behavior, seeing that a pet has no aggressive or destructive tendencies can help to put a landlord at ease.” 

You could also include quotes on the resume from your dog’s groomer, walker, previous neighbors, a former doorman in a past building—along with the references contact information, says Salem.

Prove that you are a responsible pet guardian by showing evidence that your dog has a microchip, Jankelow suggests. Also, show proof of any pet insurance plans you may have, he suggests.

What’s next after writing your dog’s resume? Finding a home with good bones, of course!

• 6 Things Experts Say You Should Never See in an Adult Apartment
• I’ve Lived in 25 Small Apartments—The Best Ones Had These 4 Things in Common
• The Trader Joe’s Effect: Why It Pays to Live Near TJ’s
• Someone Asked Twitter for Terrible Design Photos and, Boy, Did They Come Through
• 6 Amazon Buys That Make Rental Life So Much More Bearable, Starting at $4