Resumes for Fido and Fluffy? By Patricia Collier, Owner, FloridaPets.net At first it may sound like something for a yuppie puppy dog or a prissy pussy cat who has everything. But these days, many pet guardians are creating "pet resumes" for their companions to help ease entry into hotels, motels, even apartments and condos. According to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households include a pet member, compared to 58 percent in 1990. Our society is more mobile than ever and because people consider their pets to be part of the family, many facilities are becoming more accommodating to well-behaved companion animals. Having a pet resume will help you and your animal stand in a positive light and perhaps convince management to take a chance on your situation. Just like resumes for humans, a vita for pets is a record of positive experiences. The goal is to use the resume as a ticket to allow the animal to do more. It is designed to highlight a pet's good qualities so the reviewer of the information is willing to grant a few extra privileges not afforded to just any mutt coming down the pike. A resume for your pet is extremely helpful, both when you are traveling and when you are searching for a residence to rent. While a pet resume is not the place to gush over how cute your pet is, or how many tricks he knows, there are a few items you do not want to leave out. The following tips will help you create a winning dossier for your companion animal: 1) Use a Word program and set fonts, margins and typestyle to be as professional looking as your own resume. Center the pet's name at the top, then place your name, address and phone number under, such as "Fido", then "Jane Jones, Guardian." 2) Divide the tips into categories such as "Description", "Care" and "About the Guardian." Provide: The name, physical description and positive behaviors of your pet; Details about the grooming, exercising and medical care you provide, including the fact that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and is spayed or neutered; A paragraph about you, the pet's guardian, and your feelings about responsible pet guardianship; And a closing sentence thanking the reader for considering your pet and inviting him or her to meet you and your companion animal in person. 3) Be sure to attach at least two written references, or at least create an additional category entitled, "References" and list the names and phone numbers of two or three people who can vouch for your pet's good deeds. Think of past neighbors, landlords, veterinarians or obedience class instructors. Of course you'll want to obtain permission from these people before using their contact information. 4) Don't forget to include a recent quality photo of your pet, looking clean, groomed and alert. Because of the increase in the number of pets nationwide, it's actually a smart landlord or hotel manager that considers your pet. According to The Humane Society of the United States, some 49.4 percent of U.S. renters have pets. Since half of all tenants are looking for landlords who accept pets, renting to people with pets may double the marketability of any vacancies. And tourists with pets tend to return to a pet-friendly facility year after year, both to avoid the hassle of finding another place that will accept their pet and to enjoy the camaraderie found among other animal-loving guests. While a pet resume won't be the key to automatic approval every time you offer someone a copy, it should address just about everything needed to know about your pet, which could help you find a place where you are both welcome to put up your paws and stay awhile.

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