Discussion - moving out and taking your pets with you

[Bottomfeeder]

Hello guys.

So I'm eighteen now... all you guys who remember me when I first joined six years ago might not believe that, but it's true

One of the things you start to think about when you're eighteen is the prospect of moving out of the family house. For me, this will likely wait until after college, but it's something I've begun thinking about and planning for. I have two really close friends who also have an interest in the outdoors and in animals, and we plan to rent an apartment together.

Between the three of us, we have ten snakes, nine frogs, two newts, six geckos, two skinks, two newts, nine fish, and an arachnid. All are kept responsibly in secure, locked enclosures, the three of us are active in our local herp communities and I have experience working hands-on with animals at a zoo. Sure, that's not a hell of a lot of credentials, but I feel it's important to mention.

I often worry about how difficult it would be to find an apartment with these animals. I feel that the "credentials" I mentioned above would be quite important to declare to any potential landlord, so they dont envision lending their space to a bunch of dirty animal hoarders. All of my animals are kept in enclosures on metal resturaunt racks, which are extremely sturdy and compact.

We live currently in NYC, and would probably look for a place in Staten Island, which is the next county over, because it has some nice woodland areas and property tends to be cheaper. Renter insurance is also a possibility.

What do you guys think? Have you ever had to make a move into an apartment with your fish/herps? What was your experience like?

 

[FMA4ME]

Honestly, I wouldn't even think of having that many animals in an apt, or let you have that many pets in an apt Im renting to you(nothing personal)
Id say find a house to rent, but I know in NYC it's not that easy. Idk,
are the apartments there bigger than the boxes we have here on the West Coast?

 

[Bottomfeeder]

They tend to be, yes. But it varies greatly.

It's likely that we wouldnt disclose the exact number of animals we have, rather say that we have a number of small, harmless, securely caged pets, all of which could be confined with a single room with ease.

The fish tanks are small... two five gallons, a twelve and a twenty.

It's also worth noting that due to the nature of keeping animals as pets, and the fact that we all decided not to get any more animals for that very reason, that the number may slightly decrease between now and when the time comes.

 

[fuzzlebug]

Dunno what it's like in the us but here in the uk you'd struggle to find a place to rent with those pets, the fish will be ok, it's the snakes, frogs and spiders that are difficult, not to mention all you other pets, most landlords will disclose pet allowances and if they could meet all 3 of you to see your clean, honest, caring and responsible then you could persuade them, however would you be willing to downsize? Especially the snakes, they tend to be a touchy one for landlords, it was a pita for me and I only have 2! As soon as I said boa and python most ran a mile! But you can find renters that'll allow it, tbh they probably don't have an issue with them but its a business to them, they may have trouble renting out a property next to yours if the guys next door have a small zoo!


Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[dogofwar]

Your primary consideration after college is going to be finding a job. That's going to dictate where you live, your schedule and lots of other stuff about your life, not the least of which is whether you can share an apartment in Staten Island with two other dudes (in the same boat) and a bunch of animals.

Matt

 

[Bottomfeeder]

Dog, we all have jobs currently and will then, too.

Fuzz... I suppose, possibly. I would probably part with the fish, and likely move as much as I could out of tanks and into rubbermaid crates, which would make it much more compact and less zoo-like.

 

[Zoodiver]

I would make sure to disclose your animals prior to renting. I've seen it backfire and people lose their rental home/apartment when landlords find out. It carries a liability for them as well as you.

I understand your situaiton. I lived with two guys in college. One was into fish and the other thought we were nuts, but let us blow all of our money anyway. Our place was just shy of being a local animal attraction (not many places to see exotic fish/herps in North Dakota - Haha). We had more tanks and enclosures than real furniture. We even had tanks in the closests.

 

[ascarbo27]

id go for a house rental instead of apartment

 

[Amber n The Boss]

Not sure how it works in NYC since your state has different laws and animal regulations but in Ohio none of those animals listed would need to be declared in order to rent an apartment here. I know we are more relaxed when it comes to other states. Here fish tanks don't matter unless they are over 40 gallons and anything you can keep in a tank/cage that is not poisonous is fine too. Free ranging animals and live stock is where some lines are drawn. Some homeowners could have different rules bc it's their house and they state it in the lease but normally animals legal in the state that can be kept in a cage/tank is a go here and doesn't need disclosed. Of course if they do any damage your responsible for payment.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[dogofwar]

Yes - but (hopefully) after college you'll have different job prospects. All I'm saying is, don't limit your options because of your menagerie.

As a landlord, I require disclosure and approval of all pets (including fish tanks)... my current tenants have a dog and pay a commensurate extra security deposit.

Matt

Dog, we all have jobs currently and will then, too.

Fuzz... I suppose, possibly. I would probably part with the fish, and likely move as much as I could out of tanks and into rubbermaid crates, which would make it much more compact and less zoo-like.