Landlording. You're Doing It Right!

Judy Guth. Photo: Michael Owen Baker/LA Daily News

Have you heard about the landlady that only rents to people who DO have pets? Many apartment owners restricting their buildings to "no pets", but Judy Guth has a better policy. 

Running a 12-unit apartment house in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, Judy insists on her tenants having a pet, because she believes tehy make great tenants.

"My experience has told me you get people with a lot of love in their hearts when you get pet owners," she told the LA Daily News. She also said that she finds that pet owners pay their rent on time and seldom move.

She started her pets-only policy shortly after she bought the building 40 years ago. She does have some rules that her tenants need to follow which include: pets must be current on their vaccinations, they need to wear a current ID tag and dogs with bad behavior are prohibited (eg incessant barking).

Judy also helps owners who lose a pet. If someone’s pet dies, Judy has been known to take the tenant to a local animal shelter to adopt a new one.

There are no laws prohibiting Judy’s bias against non-pet owners and her pets-only policy really seems to work. The proof is in how few tenants move out. Many of her tenants have lived there for over 10 years, and a few for over 20.

"I've talked to other rental property owners about it, but they just laugh," Judy said. "They’re stupid. The only vacancies I’ve had are when people had to move because the economy forced them out of state for a job. Within a day or two, there’s a new dog or cat moving in. I can’t remember all the people, but I can remember their pets

3 Parasites that Could Affect Your Pet

Do you want what is best for your pet? Have you done all you can to keep your pet in tip top health? Remember that your pet dog is susceptible to certain diseases and parasites that can be treated easily with products safe for your pet that are available these days. Before you get your pet treated, keep in mind that you need to follow label directions carefully and to consult your veterinarian before anything else. Owners of pet dogs need to be aware of common illnesses and parasites that may affect pets in general so that you can anticipate the steps to take in case it happens to yours.

Heartworms

A mosquito-transmitted disease, heartworm can cause fatality in dogs. For this reason, it is important to go through measures of prevention. Going to the vet to get a yearly test will help you find out for sure whether or not your dog has heartworms. For negative test results, ask your vet for recommended heartworm-prevention medicine.

Ear Mites

As they dwell on the ear canal’s skin lining in your pet’s ears, ear mites are parasites that are tiny but cause inflammation and discomfort. When left without treatment, these can lead to infections that are bacterial which can later lead to hearing loss. Brown ear particles, restlessness and foul odours are some of the symptoms of ear mites.

Fleas

At one point or another, fleas will be something your dog may get. The symptom most common happens to be itching. Keep in mind however that fleas are not the sole cause of itching. If you think your dog is itching uncontrollably due to an insect bite, see your vet before beginning to treat him. Remember that any number of things other than fleas can be the cause of your pet’s discomfort. Flea allergy also happens to be the dog allergy that is most common. Many dogs have an allergy to flea saliva and a bit can intensify the itch that your pet feels. Flea saliva can also cause skin redness and small red bumps.  Some breeds of dogs have more of an allergy to fleas than other breeds and those that have greater allergies may have severe reactions to minimal bites. To help prevent and combat allergies, bathe your pet dog in an oatmeal bath or Epsom salts. Often vacuum and clean your house. You might also want to decrease mold by getting a humidifier.

 Mark Perry is a dedicated veterinarian for Canada Vet with over 20 years experience. A farm boy born and breed, Dr Perry loves all animals but he has a special place in his heart for working animals, particularly working dogs and horses.