My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Help. No one to look after dog!!

39 replies

JustForADay · 15/06/2020 14:18

We had a flood in our house, it needs major restoration work which we were luckily insured for.
We've been told that work will take 3-4 months and we can't stay in the house so need to find alternative accommodation, again we're covered for the costs - insurance are paying for a 6 month lease for us. However, no landlord will take a dog, he's well behaved but fairly large (schnauzer) .
No one in the family is prepared to look after him for that length of time, which I understand.
Really stuck as we don't want to put him in kennels as he's nervous around other dogs anyway. Home boarding won't take him for that length of time.
Does anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
Report
Windyatthebeach · 15/06/2020 14:20

Neighbours? Any dc's friends with nice family?

Report
Windyatthebeach · 15/06/2020 14:21

Could you ask at the vet? I fostered for a charity years ago and had a huge huge ginger dcat while a woman and her dc were in a refuge..
Vet may know of such a person...

Report
ThinkPinkStink · 15/06/2020 14:21

Sometimes landlords will allow pets if you pay an additional deposit, it's worth asking. I know a number of people with pets in private rental accommodation.

Will any of your friends/family be able to house the dog for a shorter period, maybe 4 weeks each, and he can move around on rotation (not ideal, but less of a commitment per household)

Report
Didyousaysomethingdarling · 15/06/2020 14:23

Could you ask the Cinnamon Trust for advice? Some of their volunteers may be prepared to help? cinnamon.org.uk/cinnamon-trust/

Report
Mirrorxx · 15/06/2020 14:28

A similar thing happened to my parents but it was a house fire and they had 3 dogs. They just had to ask a few landlords about paying extra deposit. It took a few attempts but they found one. In the meantime they found a hotel that accepted dogs and had a room with access to the garden

Report
iVampire · 15/06/2020 14:28

Ask at all your local vets and grooming parlours if they know anyone who fosters

Ask around trusted friends - before we had our own dog, I would very happily have had a dog for a couple of months in the hope that DC might stop pestering me to have one (long enough time for the novelty to wear off)!) but obviously you could only do that with someone you trust and who has done doggy experience

Do make sure costs and expectations are clearly set out at the very outset, whatever arrangement you end up with

Report
Didyousaysomethingdarling · 15/06/2020 14:34

The government have capped deposits. Apparently the new rules are adversely affecting pet owners, who rent Sad. Landlords are now less likely to take the risk.

Report
womaninatightspot · 15/06/2020 14:37

Couldn't you offer to pay increased rent in lieu of higher deposit to compensate for extra wear and tear? Dog damage can be expensive to sort.

Report
Didyousaysomethingdarling · 15/06/2020 14:39

@womaninatightspot

Couldn't you offer to pay increased rent in lieu of higher deposit to compensate for extra wear and tear? Dog damage can be expensive to sort.

Sounds like a good idea.
Report
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 15/06/2020 15:11

Honestly? Don't tell the landlord.

The worst they can do is either
A) evict you after the end of your 6 month fixed tenancy period (which you don't care about - you'll be back in your new home)
B) deduct money from your deposit if the dog has caused damage (but not for merely being there - and even the full loss of your deposit would be less than the cost of kennels)
C) refuse to give you a reference (which is irrelevant for you as you'll be moving back to your old house)

To keep the hassle down, either refuse any mid tenancy inspections (as is your right), or ensure the dog is out for a walk + beds etc are out of sight before an inspection.

I'm renting and have a dog, so I'm well aware of how hard it is to find properties. I've got permission at this property, but I honestly would just fail to mention DDog to the landlord in your situation.

Report
GeraltOfRivia · 15/06/2020 16:10

Please don't do what Avocado suggests. If someone did that and then the dog ruined my flat not only would it be really upsetting, but the cost of putting it right and the loss of rent for any repair would potentially wipe me out financially. Landlords aren't all rolling in money. Also, it's just horrible that anyone would consider it, just using someone and preying on them for your own gain knowing you risk leaving them in a worse position.

That said. If you came to me with a plan for a) mitigating my risk and b) we're open and honest with me then I'd let you just have the dog in the house/flat.

Or the fostering thing. That sounds good.

Report
yearinyearout · 15/06/2020 16:23

Round our way we have several dog sitters who have dogs in their own home, have a google or look on local fb pages.

Report
Tiktokgone · 15/06/2020 16:27

I wouldn't tell them either.

My friend is in temporary homeless accommodation with a secret dog. It was either lie of give away her dog who is her best friend and also her emotional support dog, that's gotten her through the roughest time in her life when she had no human support. Dog is so well behaved and has caused no damage at all.

Friend is going to get carpets all professionally cleaned when she leaves as a curtosy but landlord will never know.

Report
NiceTwin · 15/06/2020 16:32

I would offer to pay more of a deposit.
Failing that, kennels, the insurance should cover the cost.

I own a kennel and had a long stayer when they had a flood/ceiling collapsed.
He did okay. Was ready to go home when everything was up straight, bless him.

Report
iwilltaketwoplease · 15/06/2020 17:52

Our landlord has an agreement that if we want a pet we pay £60 extra a month, might be worth asking?

Or kennels would be your best option.

Report
Moondust001 · 15/06/2020 17:57

Do you have pet insurance? Mine covers costs of temporary rehoming in events like these. I'm not poistive without looking, but I think it might also cover insuring the dog in temporary relocations for things like this. Worth checking the other clauses - pet insurance often covers much more than just vet fees.

Report
moosemama · 15/06/2020 21:25

Not sure if this is any use, as haven’t used them myself, but this website might at least have some useful advice.

www.letswithpets.org.uk/find-a-pet-friendly-property/find-a-pet-friendly-property

Report
AgathaX · 15/06/2020 21:26

I think you need to find another rental that will take dogs. Have you looked at AirBnB? Lots of those will take a dog.

Report
Divebar · 15/06/2020 21:32

A lady on Nextdoor.com recently asked for someone to help take of her elderly dog ( for a reason I can’t recall) and she had a lot of very positive responses.

Report
Megan2018 · 15/06/2020 21:37

I’m a landlord that takes pets-they are out there. Keep looking.

Report
LinemanForTheCounty · 15/06/2020 21:41

Just don't tell them. You'll be gone soon enough anyway and it's not like you need a reference. If the dog does any damage, deal with that then. No point in jumping through all kinds of hoops for a short term arrangement for harm that may occur.

Report
wheresmolly · 15/06/2020 21:43

Do keep looking for a rented place that takes dogs - I've had two dogs for 10 years and have moved about six times in that period - I've never had a problem. Sign up with all the agents so they have your details and get to know you. You are also in a good position where you can (presumably) move soon which will score you some points, too. Don't give up as there are lots of places that take pets. And if it doesn't say in the ad, do ask. Also offer to pay an additional deposit if need be.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

wheresmolly · 15/06/2020 21:45

Might also be worth putting an ad on Gumtree and other local sites (local Facebook page) asking if there are any local landlords who have short term properties.

Report
JustForADay · 15/06/2020 21:58

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've emailed ddog's vet to see if she can come up with any suggestions.
Hopefully dog can come with us, id be devastated not having him with us. Going to look at Airbnb now, and ring round letting agents slightly further afield tomorrow.
Fingers crossed🤞thank you all for your suggestions x

OP posts:
Report
DonaldJTrumpet · 15/06/2020 21:59

We once got a dog in a house that we thought we could have a dog based on what the agent said but when we got one we were told that we had to get rid of the dog or move out. We were breaching the terms of our agreement.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.