Resumes for Cats?
Posted by Patricia on 20th Aug 2022
At first, it may seem 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, apartments, and condos.
Seriously, a cat resume?
According to the ASPCA, 30-37% of all households in the United States have a cat. Plus, our society is more mobile than ever. Because people consider their felines part of the family, many facilities are becoming more accommodating to well-behaved companion animals. Having a resume could help you and your cat stand in a positive light and perhaps convince a wary manager to take a chance on your situation.
What's in a cat resume?
Like resumes for humans, a vita for cats is a record of positive experiences. The goal is to use the resume as a ticket to allow your kitty to do more. It should highlight a cat's good qualities, so the reviewer of the information is willing to grant a few extra privileges not afforded just any furball coming down the pike.
What to include in a cat resume
While a resume is not the place to gush over how cute your kitty 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 pussy cat:
1. Use a Word program and set fonts, margins, and typestyle to look as professional as your resume. Center your cat's name at the top, then place your name, address, and phone number under that, such as "Luna," and "Jane Jones, Guardian."
2. Divide the tips into categories such as "Description," "Care," and "About the Guardian." Provide the name, physical description, positive behaviors of your cat, and details about the grooming, exercising, and medical care you provide -including the fact that your cat is up to date on all vaccinations and is spayed or neutered. Add a paragraph about you and your feelings about responsible pet guardianship. And don't forget a closing sentence thanking the reader for considering your cat and inviting them to meet the two of you 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 cat's good behavior. Think of veterinarians, past neighbors, and landlords. (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 cat, looking clean, groomed, and alert.
Will a pet resume actually work?
Yes! Because of the increase in the number of pets nationwide, it's a smart landlord or hotel manager who considers your cat. According to The Humane Society of the United States, more than 50 percent of U.S. renters have pets. Since half of all tenants are looking for landlords who accept pets, renting to people with pets doubles the marketability of any vacancies. And tourists with dogs and cats tend to return to a pet-friendly facility year after year, both to avoid the hassle of finding another place to accept their pet and to enjoy the camaraderie found among other animal-loving guests.
While a cat 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 him, which could help you find a place where you're both welcome to put up your paws and stay awhile.
Sources:
ASPCA
aspca.com
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
https://www.humanesociety.org/