Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello friends.

We've run into a situation that is new for us, and we wonder if others in tight housing markets are facing the same challenge.  A young graduate student at a local university (living off campus in their own apartment) reached out to foster.  However, her landlord requires not only a pet deposit (which we have paid in the past), but also monthly pet rent that this person is not in a position to pay.  So, to foster, she would need us to pay this monthly pet rent as well as a deposit.  

It is not a huge amount ($35/month), but we're wondering, is this a trend in tight housing markets? While we could cover this occasionally, we're concerned that this will be a trend we're not prepared for.   And a precedent we're not prepared to set.  

For those of you who see pet rents as a "thing" in your area, do you cover it?  For all fosters?  For those who financial situation require assistance? How do you decide?  We're a smaller, all-volunteer rescue in small-sized city, so our budget doesn't really include wiggle room like this. 

Thanks so much for any input!

#FosterPrograms

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Diane Metz
Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom
Orange Street Cats, Inc.
Albany NY
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Hi, friends

I'm curious as to why I haven't received any replies to my question?  Has no one faced this scenario?  

Thanks!

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Diane Metz
Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom
Orange Street Cats, Inc.
Albany NY
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We've never faced that for a foster home but definitely would not have the funds to cover that. I'd be of the mindset that if they wanted to foster that badly, they could cover their own fees-a donation on their part. Our foster contract does say if the foster animal does damage any of their property we are not financially responsible. I would be afraid that paying any of their incurred fees that are not for the direct care of the animal would open a can of worms. 

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Cheryl Koenig
Volunteer Executive Director
Sullivan County Humane Society
NH
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-02-2024 01:37 AM
From: Diane Metz
Subject: Pet Rent

Hi, friends

I'm curious as to why I haven't received any replies to my question?  Has no one faced this scenario?  

Thanks!

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Diane Metz
Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom
Orange Street Cats, Inc.
Albany NY
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Hi there! Sometimes questions can get overlooked, especially in busy forums.

Maybe try reposting it or adding a bit more detail to catch people's attention.

I'm sure someone with experience will help soon, don't give up!

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CM Mishir
Blogger
Caremypet
Los Angeles
https://www.caremypet.org/
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-02-2024 01:37 AM
From: Diane Metz
Subject: Pet Rent

Hi, friends

I'm curious as to why I haven't received any replies to my question?  Has no one faced this scenario?  

Thanks!

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Diane Metz
Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom
Orange Street Cats, Inc.
Albany NY
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I have noticed when doing adoptions (and working with fosters) there are almost ALWAYS pet deposits and monthly fees on leases, and often much higher than $35/month.  This is the reason so many people have ESAs, so they can get around the pet deposit and also the monthly pet fees.  Our rescue does not have the funds to pay these fees for fosters, but it also feels like a can of worms that I would just not get involved in, personally.   How would you track getting that deposit back when they move out of the apartment?

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Julie Guglielmi
Director
Whiskers Animal Rescue
OH
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Hi Diane, I don't have a rescue but I feel that in this climate, getting someone to foster is gold. I live in Davis and the pet deposit is $500 and monthly rent runs from $25-35. I think it is an outcry to charge that much for deposit when there are studies that indicate an average of $200-300 would suffice. Like the renter deposit, it is rarely that the landlord returns it in full even if you are the best renter. Sometimes I don't think they even figure in wear and tear of just living. If they don't honor the return with the renter, I doubt if they are willing to return the pet deposit. Owning several pets, I can see paying a pet deposit of $200 is acceptable as I know it is hard to keep my place clean with 3 dogs.  Regarding the monthly rent, I would pay for it as the foster period can be short unless it is a situation where the fostering may last a year. I, however, would encourage the foster caregiver to pay for the deposit or at least willing to split it with him/her/they. I hope this is helpful. 

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Julielani Chang
The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
Davis CA
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Good afternoon everyone! Hope you're all doing well. If someone is looking to foster, although, we are obligated to cover costs for the animal, I think as a foster that's something they should take into account themselves. It is not our job as rescues to ensure that your bills are paid efficiently in order for you to foster. It is unfair for someone who wants to foster to feel that they are not obligated to provide the proper environment, including ensuring that their space has the capability of allowing a dog. 

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Kenni Kennedy
President
The Kennedy Puppy Foundation
CA
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Aloha Diane,

Fosters are gold but the ones we really want on our team are those who have the time and resources to devote to the animal in their care.  I think we have never had anyone offer to foster who did not already have a pet so this is a moot point for us. The pet deposit and finding a pet friendly rental issue in Hawaii is crazy difficult. Animals are regularly surrendered when an owner has to move and becomes unable to locate pet friendly housing. I can't imagine what paying the pet fees for a foster home nor how any of the Hawaii based rescues could financially take that on. 

I would say that this would be a "never do" for us. 

Kindly,

Ann

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Ann Goody
Executive Director
Paws Across Water Hawaii - PAWHI
HI
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I think this is a situation that's arising more and more for people--to keep "rent" in line with prevailing rates, the fees grow and are attached to more parts of the rental agreement.

I would  contact the landlord directly and be the advocate for your nonprofit, your potential foster home, and the additional animals you'll be able to help with an additional foster home!  As with anything, some will be jerks and some will be open to helping Orange Street Cats.  Assume the best!

What are the landlord's concerns?  What are the monthly fees meant cover? With cats they would be different than with dogs.  Could the monthly fee be waived for you as a nonprofit working with a foster home?  Discuss the types of animals this grad student would foster, for how long (kittens until they're sterilized and placed for adoption?  Post-surgey for 2-6 weeks recovery?  Animals that just need some time to mourn or decompress?   

Remind him that it's not the damage deposit that makes this prohibitive for charities, but the continuous monthly fee.

Can you set it up on a trial basis and re-evaluate with management after the first placement or two?  Will you always extend the curtesy of contacting them if you have a new foster home request from a tenant in their building?  Would you contact them at the beginning and end of each placement?   Have a proactibe problem-solving approach, as one professional to another.

If the landlord agrees to help you save more lives this way, how can you acknowledge and thank them in a way that won't bring a flood of tenants demanding no rent for their pets?

Aside from aminals, my background includes Executive Director of Seattle Tenants Union (now Washington Tenants Union), organizer with Mount Vernon United Tenants (NY), and steering committee member with the Esplanade Gardens Tenants Association.

Wishing you good luck as you encounter more and more deposits and fees related to animals and rental situations.

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April King
Volunteer and Board Member
Kotor Kitties
+1 206 407 5336
http://www.kotorkitties.org
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Hi, I can speak to the first part of your question. Yes, pet rent is super common. 

Instead of an all-or-nothing approach, I wonder if you could work with this prospective foster to find a creative way to come up with that $35. Maybe a special fundraising ask; maybe she could give an in-kind donation or volunteer for the rescue in exchange for the cash; etc. Or maybe you could speak directly to the landlord and ask if they would waive the fee because it's a good cause/ because it's a short time period/ etc. 

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Laurel Hunt
Foster caregiver
The Bond Between
MN
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This is a tough situation, and we've seen pet rent become more common in competitive rental markets. While $35/month may seem manageable for one foster, scaling this for multiple fosters could strain a small rescue's budget. Some groups we know handle it case-by-case-covering pet rent only for essential fosters or setting a cap on assistance. Others negotiate with landlords to waive fees for fosters, emphasizing the temporary nature of the arrangement.

If you can't commit long-term, you might clarify upfront that pet rent isn't typically covered but offer alternatives. Transparency helps avoid setting unsustainable precedents. Solidarity-these housing hurdles make rescue even harder!

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CM Mishir
Blogger
Caremypet
Los Angeles
https://www.caremypet.org/
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