According to an analysis conducted by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), there was a pet ownership rate of around one pet for every three NYC households in 2012. As a dog owner, that could sound quite surprising considering how difficult it is to find a pet-friendly apartment in the city without having to pay a premium. If you are a dog owner and will soon be looking for a new apartment, consider taking some of the steps highlighted in the infographic below. For even more information on moving with dogs, you could also check out this moving article.
Before the Move
For pet owners, finding a good apartment in the city could feel like an endless game of cat and mouse. Hence, it is very important that you do your research prior to seeing any apartments or open houses. During your initial search, you are likely to come across several apartment buildings that advertise themselves as pet-friendly. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that they’ll accept dogs of all sizes and breeds so make sure you confirm with building management directly by calling them or by getting clear clarification via email.
When you are finally closing in on an apartment, make sure you take the appropriate steps to prepare your dog for the move. Regardless of whether you are moving from nearby or afar, it is important that you invest in a sturdy and spacious travel crate for your dog. Once you have the travel crate, spend some time introducing it to your dog. In doing so, your dog is less likely to feel stressed on moving day because he or she understands that the travel crate is a safe place to be in.
During the Move
While the move is happening, it is highly recommended that you keep your dog well away from the action. If available, keep your dog in a secure, quiet room while the household items and furniture are being moved out. Otherwise, ask a friend or family member to take care of the dog. You should also try as much as possible to keep to the daily routine. For example, if you have been walking your dog twice a day then try and find some time during the busy day to keep to that schedule.
After the Move
Congratulations! You have finally moved into a NYC apartment. However, there’s still some work to be done to help your dog adjust to the new environment. Rather than letting your dog immediately roam around the whole apartment, limit him or her to a specific area for the first week or two. This will prevent your dog from feeling overwhelmed by new surroundings. Make sure you also check the apartment for any potential dog hazards like household chemicals and poisonous household plants. These items should be kept well out of reach from your dog.
If you have yet to start your apartment search then we definitely recommend checking out RentHop as their search filter allows you to only look at apartments that have a dog-friendly policy.
