This struggle may result in not only a huge inconvenience, but dogs getting dumped at shelters, being sold on craigslist (and if you haven't heard the horrors of selling animals on craigslist, just think animal abusers and sickos looking for bait dogs and "toys" to torture), or snuck into rentals and then the family being kicked out onto the street when they get caught. I face a challenge when traveling by having three dogs, two of which are over most hotel's weight limits, and fall into the category of the "horrible pitbull type dogs that are discriminated and banned everywhere these days it seems". We once inquired about dropping our dogs at a doggy day care facility while on vacation and while making the reservation I was told that our dog (who I described as a bulldog mix, and left out the pitbull part) would have to go through an extra behavior assessment before being allowed to interact with other dogs and this would mean and extra fee for us, just because of his breed. Clearly, I did not drop them at daycare that day.
Having a well behaved dog can make these challenges much much easier, but how can someone prove to a landlord, hotel manager, or pet service owner that your dog is different than all the stereotypes, and should not be discriminated against? Your dog should have a chance to prove his or her worth. But when making reservations or signing a lease from a long distance it's not always possible (or practical) to have a meet and greet with your pet to show off their obedience, demonstrate their interactions with other dogs or even prove how they would behave inside of a rental property. That's what a "pet resume" is for. When you fill out an application, make a reservation, or inquire about a service, including an up to date resume that you already have on hand will show that you take your position as a pet owner very seriously. Obviously, if someone is willing to take the time to not only put in the effort into training their dog to be well behaved, but to write it all out, format it, and organize it in a presentable manner; they have a dog that might be an exception. It's been known to sway landlords into bending the rules on size and breed restrictions, and may even get your dog to come along on vacation with you. If you're convinced by now that your dog needs a resume, here are the steps to putting one together in a simple word document.
1. Include your pet's basic information, such as name, age, activity level, and breed. Emphasize the qualities that would make your dog a good tenant or guest, or justify how something seen as a negative quality can be managed properly. For example, instead of just saying your dog is a pitbull mix, mention how lovable, loyal, great with kids, and willing to learn new skills he or she is. If your dog is high energy, mention that he or she gets taken on a run every day or goes to the dog park often to wear off that excess energy (so it will not result in destructive behavior). Mention fun and positive things about your pet's personality that will make a reader smile and get suckered in to making an exception for you. If you adopted/rescued your dog, definitely mention this, because anybody who is an animal lover and is pro-adoption will immediately be supportive. The more you emphasize the importance of your animal to you in your life, the more they will realize that they need to be on board if they want your business. Include a picture of your pet for identification purposes (the cuter the better).
2. Include as many positive traits as possible. Such as a quiet or less active pet. If your pet is older, put a positive spin on it by explaining how a senior pet is quiet and lazy and will not disturb anyone. If your dog is crate-trained, this is good to mention when renting or staying in hotels. If your dog is a service dog or emotional support animal, definitely highlight this. Technically there cannot be any discrimination by law (or questions asked) if your dog is a service or support animal. If you're in that situation, you should not even need a resume for your pet, but if they give you a hard time (which they are not allowed) the resume can help support their good behavior.
3. Include health information. If your dog is fixed, mention that! Neutered and spayed animals are less likely to mark on things and won't leave a mess when in heat. Fixed animals are also less likely to be aggressive, or be a nuisance in the neighborhood (unfixed males can sense a female in heat and will do anything they can to try to get to her). Mention that your pet is healthy and up to date on vaccinations (and have the paperwork and vet information to prove it), and on flea medication (to prevent flea infestations). All of this will show that you're a responsible pet owner, and probably more likely to be a responsible tenant or guest. Mention your pet's cleanliness; if they are housebroken/use the litter box, boast all about this and how you clean up after them always. Reassure your target audience that they won't ever be stepping in dog poop outside, or walk into a stinky room or apartment.
4. Of course you should mention your pet's skills and certifications (just like in your own resume!) List any professional training courses your pet has been through and any certifications. It's encouraged to train and certify your dog as a Canine Good Citizen, which is a certification from the AKC specifically to show that a dog is well behaved in public. Not only can the CGC lower your insurance rates, but it can also help get your dog into public places he or she may not normally be allowed, make renting or hotel stays easier (and more likely that exceptions can be made about your dog's breed or size, or your dog even being there if it's not pet friendly), and is also a good foundation for dogs that plan to become service or therapy dogs.
5. References from previous landlords, dog trainers, groomers and your vet are good to have on hand as well and can go a long way. They can be included with the resume or mentioned as "available upon request."
Tips for pet resume building were retrieved from the SPCA.
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