Many landlords and owners are enforcing a "no pets" policy when faced with renting to pet owners. Develop a resume for your animal. Be creative. Include breed, weight, height, age, spayed or neutered, personal hygiene, behavior traits, training background, veterinarian's name and phone and personal references. Give this resume to prospective landlords.

If you have rented with your animal before, produce letters from your previous landlords indicating that you and your pet both acted responsibly.

Discuss your animal with the rental agent or landlord. Landlords are more likely to rent to someone who can prove that their animal has been spayed or neutered, is housebroken, and is small enough to fit into apartment life happily.

Ask the landlord if you may introduce him or her to your animal. A well behaved animal may be able to convince the landlord when all talk fails.

Offer to negotiate an addendum to the rental agreement or lease, indicating exactly what your landlord will expect of you and your animal, and agree in writing to pay a specified additional security deposit to cover the cost of any animal-related damages.

Offer to accept a short-term rental period, during which the landlord can see if you and your animal will be acceptable long-term tenants. If the landlord agrees to rent to you and your animal, be sure to get all the specifics down in writing. Anyone can have a change of heart, so make sure that a landlord's change of heart does not result in an unplanned change of residence for you!

If you decide to adopt a pet while renting, discuss it with your landlord first. If your landlord says "no" to a dog, he or she may say "yes" to a cat or other small animal.

If a landlord will accept your animal, the most important responsibility you have, next to the loving care of your companion, is to set an example to your landlord. Do not allow your animal to damage the rented property in any way. Keep your dog from barking and keep your cat from roaming.

If your animal causes any damage, tell your landlord immediately. Pay for the damage and make all arrangements to repair it as soon as possible. Remember, only by being a responsible guardian can you turn the tide in favor of a "welcome pets" rental policy.