10 Simple Steps to Create a Pet Resume for Apartment Rental (With Free Template)

A pet resume for apartment rental can be the difference between getting approved quickly and getting passed over. When landlords are comparing multiple applicants, a clear, professional pet resume helps your pet feel predictable—and predictable feels safe.

This isn’t about bragging or being cute. A good pet resume answers the exact questions landlords worry about: damage, noise, cleanliness, and responsibility. When those concerns are addressed on paper, approval becomes much easier.

If you haven’t read them yet, these two guides pair perfectly with a pet resume: Get Pet Approval in an Apartment and Letter to Landlord for Pet Approval .

What a Pet Resume for Apartment Rental Actually Is

A pet resume is a one-page summary of your pet that presents them the same way a job resume presents you: clearly, calmly, and with proof. It gives landlords something concrete to evaluate instead of guessing.

Humane World recommends presenting pets professionally when renting, which is exactly what a pet resume does. Their renter guidance explains why this works .

10 Simple Steps to Build a Pet Resume Landlords Trust

1) Start With Basic Pet Details (Clear and Boring Is Good)

Landlords want fast clarity. Start your pet resume with the basics: pet type, age, size or weight, and whether your pet is spayed or neutered. This immediately answers several risk-related questions.

Example: “One adult dog, 4 years old, 45 lbs, neutered” or “One adult indoor cat, 3 years old, spayed.”

2) Clearly State Indoor vs Outdoor Habits

This detail matters more than most renters realize. Landlords often worry about roaming, mess, and neighbor complaints. Clarifying indoor habits helps eliminate those fears early.

Example: “Indoor-only cat” or “Dog is walked on-leash and supervised outdoors.”

3) Add a Short Temperament Description (Two Lines Max)

This section is not where you write “my baby is the sweetest angel.” Keep it calm and practical. Landlords want to know whether your pet is likely to cause noise, conflict, or chaos in shared spaces.

Good examples: “Calm indoors and spends most time resting,” “Friendly but not reactive,” “Quiet and not prone to excessive vocalizing.” If your pet has a challenge (like mild anxiety), don’t overshare—simply show you manage it with routines and training.

4) Include Veterinary Care Proof (Without Listing Every Detail)

Regular vet care signals stability and responsibility. In a pet resume for apartment rental, you don’t need a medical history. You just need one or two lines that confirm your pet receives routine care and that records are available.

Example: “Receives regular veterinary care; vaccination and spay/neuter records available upon request.” If your area requires licensing or registration, you can mention that here too.

5) Add Training and Manners (Even Basic Training Counts)

For dogs, training is one of the strongest “risk reducers” you can show. It suggests less barking, fewer accidents, and better behavior around neighbors. For cats, “manner” details matter more—litter training, scratch habits, and indoor routines.

Dog examples: “House-trained, crate trained, walks well on leash,” “Knows sit/stay/leave it,” “Comfortable being alone for short periods.” Cat examples: “Litter trained,” “Uses scratching post,” “Indoor-only routine.”

6) Include a Noise-Prevention Plan (Especially for Dogs)

Apartments magnify sound. Even a normally quiet dog can bark if bored, under-exercised, or overwhelmed by hallway noise. A simple plan shows you’ve thought about this—and it can be the difference between approval and rejection.

Example: “Daily exercise routine + enrichment; calm alone-time setup; proactive noise management (quiet hours respected).” Keep it short—one line is enough.

7) Include an Odor + Cleanliness Plan (Especially for Cats)

Odor is one of the biggest hidden reasons landlords hesitate about pets. If you address it calmly in the resume, you remove a common objection before it’s even spoken.

Cat example: “Daily scooping routine; sealed disposal; litter area kept clean to prevent odor.” Dog example: “Regular bathing/grooming as needed; prompt cleanup; consistent household cleaning routine.”

8) Add Damage-Prevention Details (Floors, Scratching, Chewing)

Landlords picture worst-case damage: scratched floors, chewed trim, stained carpets, and lingering mess. A few lines about prevention systems makes you sound unusually responsible—and makes approval feel safer.

Examples: “Uses scratching post; nails trimmed regularly,” “Protective mats in high-traffic areas,” “Appropriate chew toys provided,” “Supervised + enrichment routine to prevent boredom behaviors.”

9) Use One Calm Photo (The Background Matters More Than You Think)

A single photo can build trust quickly—but only if it reinforces the message: “clean, calm, well-managed.” Choose a photo where your pet is relaxed (lying down or sitting) and the background looks tidy.

Avoid photos that accidentally communicate chaos: jumping, mouth open mid-bark, crowded rooms, messy floors, or visible damage. Your photo should feel like proof that your home stays under control.

10) Add a Landlord or Character Reference (If You Can)

References turn your resume from “self-reported” to “verified.” If you can get a prior landlord to confirm your pet caused no complaints or damage, that’s one of the strongest approval signals you can provide.

Keep it simple: name, relationship, and one line about your pet being well-managed. If you don’t have a landlord reference, a pet sitter, trainer, or neighbor can help—especially if they can speak to quiet behavior.

PET RESUME

Pet Name: [Name]

Type/Breed (optional): [Dog/Cat + breed if relevant]

Age: [Age]

Size/Weight: [Weight/size]

Spayed/Neutered: [Yes/No]

Indoor/Outdoor: [Indoor-only / Leashed & supervised outdoors]

Temperament: [1–2 lines: calm, quiet, friendly, etc.]

Training/Manners: [House-trained, crate trained, litter trained, scratching post, etc.]

Noise Prevention Plan: [1 line for dogs / “not prone to excessive vocalizing” for cats]

Cleanliness/Odor Plan: [Daily litter routine / regular cleaning + grooming]

Damage Prevention Plan: [Mats, nail trims, scratch options, chew toys, etc.]

Veterinary Care: [Receives regular vet care; records available upon request]

Reference (if available): [Name, role, phone/email + 1 sentence]

Photo: [Insert 1 calm photo]

Owner Contact: [Your name + phone/email]