To Butch and others who are faced with the possibility of either having
to get rid of your ferrets or face eviction... you may want to offer your
landlord a pet deposit of sorts.
 
It is fairly new up here in Canada and I don't yet have all the details.
Essentially, the local SPCA is looking at options to assist not only
tenants to keep their beloved pets, but to make the landlords happy as
well.  The pet deposit is given to cover the potential damage that your
pet(s) may cause.  Understandably, the biggest fear landlords have is that
they feel they are the losers when it comes to dealing with pet damage.
Ever been in an apartment whose previous owners had cats, and that the only
reason you knew they did was because of the urine smell and stains in the
carpet?  It takes time to tear out carpet and replace it, not to mention
that if you own many rental properties that it may also mean losing rent
for a short period of time.  Regardless of whether there is carpeting
involved or hardwood floors, landlords need to feel like they have some
protection over their property and that they will not lose income.  It
really all comes down to money and not necessarily about what seems unfair
to us.
 
I feel a pet deposit is a wonderful idea, and if it goes through, may
actually end up decreasing the amount of surrenders we will get, and that
would be wonderful news!
 
You can discuss this option with your lawyer.  There may be a way to
convince your landlord that you are respectful of his property and have
only his interests at heart.  You may also want to discuss all the things
that you are doing in order to protect his asset.  The landlord is always
in a position to tell future renters that the reason you have pets and that
they can not, is that you were there prior to a certain time frame allowing
animals in the apartment.  He can add that his pet policy had changed in
the meantime, and since then is not accepting any animals at this time.
 
If this landlord will not listen to reason, I would suggest the possibility
of offering it at your next place of residence.  The price may seem high to
have to pay above and beyond a damage deposit, but if it means the ability
to keep your ferrets, the price would be cheap indeed.
 
Good luck.
 
Betty and Her Blur O'Fur
[Posted in FML issue 3138]