Apartment Blog

During this holiday season it is important to factor in the safety of all of your family members; even the little furry ones! You’d be surprised what dangers are lurking for your family pet during this festive season. So to help out all of our pet-friendly readers, we have compiled a list of items to watch out for this year. A trip to the veterinarian hospital would not be a pleasant thing!

Ingesting items:
Everyone knows chocolate is bad for dogs. But did you know that onion, grapes and raisins are horrible for them too? Fatty foods like turkey skin or gravy is not good for their stomach and alcohol is toxic! And be aware of things they can get into and eat such as plastic wrap, toothpicks, napkins, disposable plates or flatware. Items likes these can definitely do some damage to their internal organs.  If you are traveling with your animal or having friends staying at your home, make sure all medications are put in a place where curious animals cannot find them.

Safety for your pet:
This is not only about the safety of your animal, but also safety for humans around your animal. A pet that lies down in the middle of the kitchen is an accident waiting to happen. Make sure all of the left-overs are properly sealed and stored away where counter surfers cannot reach.  If serving turkey, make sure the carcass is in a plastic bag and taken out of the apartment. You don’t want to leave it around where any animal can take interest. And be sure to tell your family/friends visiting that feeding your pet is not good for him/her.

And finally, make sure you keep your animals’ routine as normal as possible. If your cats are terrified of people, let them have one room (perhaps a bedroom) to themselves. Or if your dog doesn’t like to be pent up in the house for too long, take him/her out for long brisk walks (for small dogs make sure they are dressed accordingly). Since there will be people coming in and out of your apartment, make sure that your animal wears proper ID tags should they escape in the confusion.

Wishing you and your family, all of them, a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

When you are searching for an apartment for rent, what are some key things on your ‘list’? Bet you definitely look for the following five apartment amenities while you’re searching.

1.      Pool. This is obviously going to be a perk that everyone desires. Just imagine the long, hot summer days when you get to hop into your apartment community pool for relaxation.

2.      Exercise Facilities- State of the art fitness centers with spa facilities and personal trainers are highly desirable. Just think of all the time & money saved from going to the gym!

3.      Washer/Dryer and newer appliances. Who wants to carry around clothes to laundry facilities? No one. Having a washer/dryer inside the unit is highly desired. As is having newer appliances in the kitchen, as that is one of the main rooms prospective renters are attracted to.

4.      Security Features-Having a security system inside the apartment is a terrific feature and so is a gated community. Prospective renters will really feel safe and comfortable.

5.      Pet Friendly Apartment/community. As we’ve mentioned in a recent blog, ForRent.com Wants to Help You find A Pet-Friendly Apartment, we understand that your pet is a part of your family; therefore, finding an apartment and community that is pet-friendly ranks high on your list.  And depending on the family, an extremely pet-friendly community (one that goes above and beyond for pets) will really be set a part in your mind.

On ForRent.com, when you go to do a search for apartments for rent in your area we highlight popular amenities right on the search results page (see screenshot). As you can see, just from the search results page, you are able to see if an apartment is pet-friendly, in a great location (close to the beach), has a washer/dryer included or has utilities paid for (which is also a highly desirable amenity).

But we want to hear from you! If you aren’t looking for the amenities mentioned above in your apartment search process, let us know what you are looking for!

Pet owners of America understand the true meaning of ‘your pet is a part of your family.’ There’s no way around it, that dog or cat that you have included in your home is now like one of your children. And ForRent.com understands that too, because just like you, we are pet owners! Take a look at a few of our family members.

Bailey, Chihuahua, Male, 3 ½ years old.
This picture accurately portrays my Bailey. He is feisty and always ready for action. Contrary to the Chihuahua label, he is far from a prissy dog. With cat-like characteristics, he pounces on you or anything else that moves by.  He also likes to bark….a lot! But you’ll get no better security system, as he hears noise ½ a mile away! He his is father and I’s pride and joy; I cannot imagine life without him. -Gillian Luce
                 
            
          

Bailey, American Red-Nosed Pitbull, Female Almost 2 years old

Bailey is very high energy and would play Frisbee all day long if she had the opportunity. As a morning routine (if she’s not running around with a sock in her mouth) she has a tendency to put her paws on the bathroom counter and watch me as I am brushing my teeth. She loves being involved in everything, which includes licking anyone who comes within reach. Her charm is undeniable. Bailey transcends the stereotypes about Pitbulls on a daily basis! -Jessica Lambert
                   
                  

Cash, Rottweiler/Doberman Mix, Male, 1 year

Ladies. Hide your heels. Cash wants nothing more than to destroy them! A young pup, Cash loves to keep his mom on her toes! At nearly 100 lbs, his massive size is only trumped by the massive amount of love and affection he shows to others, whether he knows them or not, Cash never meets an enemy. His dark, shiny coat and smiling face is always a crowd pleaser attracting young and old, male and female who can’t help but pet this larger-than-life little love bug. In his spare time, Cash enjoys running around in circles and playing with his favorite chew toys! -Meredith Mobley

We understand how important it is to keep your family together, all of your family. So when you need to move, be sure to check out ForRent.com for pet-friendly apartments.

Summer is in full swing now! And it’s time to not only get yourself outdoors, but your pet(s) as well. We’ve put together a list of tips for you to follow to keep your pet safe this season.

1. Never leave your pet in the car.
2. Be on the look out for fertilizers and deadly plants.
3. Always have your dog wear a collar and identification tag.
4. Fresh water is a MUST for your pet while outdoors.
5. Think about the heat (especially with older dogs or dogs with longer coats).
6. Be careful of hot asphalt or cement. Dogs can blister just as easy as people.
7. Have your animal on the proper medication to prevent against fleas, ticks & mosquitoes.
8. Don’t forget sunscreen….for the animal! Light skinned pets will burn if they are outside long enough without sunscreen.
9. No ‘outside dogs’. It’s not healthy for your pet to be outside for long periods of time, even if there is shade. They can get overheated quickly.
10. And finally, just be observant of your pet. You will notice when they start to act differently and if they do, take them to the vet.

Everyone loves keeping their animals safe and healthy. They are a part of the family. So if you’re looking to move this summer, be sure to check out Pet Friendly Apartments on ForRent.com so you can bring all your family with you healthy & safe!

Every year people make resolutions for the New Year. Most resolutions circle around weight loss goals, money or time with family and friends. This year, we want to provide New Years resolutions specifically for renters!

Take a look below:

1. Start 2009 fresh….if you’re tired of the apartment community you live in now? Visit ForRent.com to find a new apartment in your area!

2. Follow the trend of 2008 into 2009, utilize tips for ‘going green’!

3. Feeling overwhelmed from 2008? Get organized in 2009!

4. Have you been saying you’re ready for a new look? Then spice up your decorating style in 2009 with a few decorating tips!

5. Wanna get fit this year? Why not utilize your apartment communities’ amenities?! Go to the Fitness Center to work out!

6. Is your goal to spend more time with family and friends this year? Become a terrific cook with these recipes and you’re bound to have more gatherings at your apartment!

7. Need to save money in 2009?? Consider getting a roommate, browse these roommate tips.

8. And if 2009 is another year that reminds you you’re alone, considering getting a pet! Weigh your options by reading pet-friendly apartment tips.

9. If you’re thinking of relocating to a different area, be prepared! Research as much information about that city/state as you can; one place to do so would be at our City Guide.

10. Another great resolution is to get to know your neighbors!

ForRent.com hopes you have a happy and safe New Year! See you in 2009!!

 Animals’ roles in a household have changed dramatically from providing services to the owner’s family to now becoming a staple in the family dynamics.  And it’s been headed in this direction for awhile; consumers have started to spend a great deal of money for items such as clothing for their pets!  Plus, when you toss in a holiday to the mix the appeal is even more overwhelming!  This may come as no surprise to you, but the market for pet costumes is quite large. Just Googling the term ‘pet costumes’ pulls an array of websites ready to cater your every desire to dress your feline or canine in the most subtle or outrageous outfits.

I myself am guilty. I have bought my dog a Halloween costume in the past and this year his tuxedo collar is serving as his elegant costume. But if you see the picture left, you’ll see what a friend of mine has done to her family Fido. He’s in a pumpkin costume!  Or take a look on the rigt below at what my brother had his dog be last year…..a LOBSTER!

Going into an animal retail chain you’ll be surprised by the quantity of Halloween costumes available. There are Yoda costumes, Inmate costumes, various insects, Superheroes, as well as the traditional scary witches and Dracula costumes.   The ideas are infinite and there is a market where consumers will pay for them (as evident by my purchasing habits)!!!

So going back to the true point of this article, pets have essentially become members of our families.  They’ve gone from protecting us and aiding us in our daily tasks to now becoming a closer companion than many would have imagined.  Why this very morning when listening to the radio I heard a story of a woman and her husband divorcing. The only thing they have disagreed on, and are now going to court for, is who gets the dog!! That’s how deep our bonds with our pets have grown! So trust me when I say that I realize looking for an apartment that accepts pets isn’t a ‘nice to have’ option, it’s a MUST HAVE option!  That’s why ForRent.com gives you the capability to narrow down apartments for rent based on pet-friendly apartments.

And just think this year when you greet Halloween Trick or Treaters, you can have your pet greet them too! Dressed to the Nine!!