I searched a few threads and couldn't really find my answer.

I have quite a few animals that I'm going to bring back and forth between Raleigh and my hometown (Roxboro) when I run out of DE courses to take. My cats and dogs and birds are staying with my grandparents, but my ferrets, chinchillas, and hamsters are coming with me. Considering I have 9 animals that don't fall under the *Cats and Dogs* policy, where would be the best place for a 1 bedroom apartment or studio for a married couple that would allow my pets? I'm not moving until probably August or maybe even next January, but I want to keep my options open. I've looked around everywhere and can't really find places unless theres a 2 pet limit, and I won't part with my animals, period. I'd rather travel back and forth every day from my hometown to school than to leave them, because they're like my children, but would still like an apartment for 3-4 days a week so I wouldn't have to travel, then be able to come home at the end of the week. Any ideas? Sorry for all the words!

1/28/2008 12:26:01 AM

I would ask if the 2 pet applies to caged creatures.

I know that our apartment we are limited to 2 cats or dogs, however we have 4 fish tanks and they couldn't care less.

That said, I dont know of one that actively says more than 2 pets.

1/28/2008 9:44:09 PM

Most apartments don't have any stated policy for things other than cats and dogs. Every time I look for an apartment and ask about my birds, they just shrug and say they don't count.

That being said, I know that ferrets are getting common enough that they are considered in the cat category. Chinchillas are a toss up, but likely to fall under the rabbit category (if there is one), though they often still get roped into the cat category. If you only have two ferrets, you may be able to get away with the two pet limit.

When you are signing the lease, there should be a pet policy. Make sure that you get your animals listed there. If you have ferrets, write in the pet lease that they are considered cats. Make it specify that they don't mind a few chinchillas or hamsters (in reasonable numbers).

Also, nothing is set in stone until you sign. Depending on who is at the rental office, you may be able to barter them down. Just get it written in the pet agreement and signed and you *should* be good to go.

1/28/2008 10:59:41 PM

I lived at a complex where you had to pay pet rent to have cats and dogs, which I didn't, but I did have a rabbit and a hamster. Nobody ever said anything, and at least some people who worked there knew about them (maintenance workers, etc.)

It's probably not a huge deal. I obviously wouldn't live somewhere that allows NO pets, but I think at most places you should be fine.

1/28/2008 11:04:00 PM

Yeah, well I have 3 ferrets, and they would be seen by everybody around because I take them on daily walks and they stay out all the time except when they sleep in their cage (about 14 hrs a day). My chinchillas stay in their cage, and are expecting babies, so we could have quite a few of those around. They roll in their balls outside of the cage, but don't like walking on the floor for some reason. The hamsters are no problem, but where I lived my first semester flipped out because I had a hamster, which I didn't understand.

It would completely break my heart to be away from my animals. They are a huge part of my life (as well as the ones I'm going to leave back at home but can't bring 11 birds (we've got 8 eggs in incubators on top of that), 5 dogs, 5 cats with me) and I'd be lost without them. I just didn't know if it would be pointless to keep looking for a place that would accept my animals or just to commute an hour back and forth, because I can't part with them.

1/28/2008 11:54:01 PM

in my opinion when apartments have a "pet rent" they only mean cats or dogs...i wouldnt pay shit for a hamster or a rabbit or a ferrit

1/28/2008 11:56:04 PM