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How to Find a Pet-Friendly Neighborhood

pet-friendly neighborhood

If you’re looking to make a move to a new home, it’s very important to consider what is best for every member of the family.Including the family pet(s). What does it take to find a pet-friendly town or neighborhood? We’re so glad you asked! Here are a few helpful hints on how to tell if you’ve found a pet-friendly spot:

 

Drive the area.

This might sound simplistic, but driving around and looking for families out and about with pets is one easy way. Beyond that, you can also check for parks and forest preserve paths with doggy bags or by gauging the number of pet stores in the area. Worth noting: If you’re moving into a building with common areas such as a condominium or apartment complex, be sure to check the terms of the HOA or the rules for tenants.

 

Municipal rules.

Statewide laws that prohibit family pets are not very common, but there are certain county and city codes that you might need to follow. In addition, you can look for city or county dog parks that might require a permit or fee. Lastly, certain states might forbid specific exotic pets, so be sure you’re legal before moving there. For example, in Vermont, permits are required to own an anaconda — but not for a pet alligator. Meanwhile, Idaho requires a permit for tigers and other “deleterious exotic animals.” For a more extensive state-by-state list of what’s prohibited, head here.

 

Local veterinarians.

You can do an online search for veterinary doctors and animal hospitals in the area to help determine the local level of care and support. Finding one close to the new home will make it easier for routine check-ups and exams.

 

Search online.

The website BringFido.com has an extensive list of local businesses from groomers to hotels to restaurants that are dog-friendly. You can simply enter a destination city and conduct your search from there. For instance, check this out to find Orlando-based dog-friendly businesses. You could also search for the nearest humane society if you’d like to volunteer or support it.

 

Ask the neighbors.

Whenever you’re out house-hunting, be sure to ask a few neighbors and local coffee shops in the area what they might recommend to get a true vibe of whether or not the area is pet-friendly.

 

Lastly, if you do move and you notice the city isn’t as pet-friendly as you would like it to be, get involved and help create that culture. There’s always room for people who are passionate about animals to get involved in local community development.

 

At Beltmann, we’d love to help you (and your pets) prepare for any upcoming moving and storage needs, whether that’s simply across town or a full long-distance relocation. Contact us today for a free contactless quote, and we’d be happy to help walk you through the process.