Emma Kiff does not want to have to give up her dog Zeus, but the alternative is living apart from her fiance.

Emma Kiff is facing the reality of living apart from her fiance because of the "no pets allowed" restriction in most rentals.

Refusing to abandon their family dog of 11 years, Zeus, but unable to find a place in Auckland that will allow pets, Kiff says she and her two young children will have to move back up to their home in Kerikeri while her fiance Jason works in Auckland and they try to find a better solution.

SPCA staff report that the gulf between pet owners and pet-friendly rentals means increasing numbers of Kiwi families are facing these sort of tough decisions.

Kiff's family dog, Zeus, a chihuahua, has been living in Kerikeri alone with a house sitter. "He has been roaming a lot and is very unhappy. We go back every so often on weekends and check on the house and him of course. It is very hard to leave him, the kids don't understand," says Kiff.

"I feel like one of those irresponsible pet owners. Zeus is the centre of our lives. We rushed into getting an Auckland rental, so we could be together again and I had hoped that Zeus could come too. Sadly it hasn't worked out."

Pet owners are a big part of the market with 58 per cent of New Zealanders owning at least one cat or one dog. But a recent survey by Barfoot & Thompson found that only 14 per cent of rental properties were available for tenants with pets.

The Auckland SPCA centre receives on average 10 calls a week from pet owners looking to find a home for their cat or dog because their rental won't allow animals, says chief scientific officer Dr Arnja Dale.

She says, "there is absolutely a consistent increase in the number of calls we get from owners having to give up their pets because of rental restrictions, but the dogs and cats these owners want to drop off are healthy and well looked after and it isn't always the best outcome to leave them at the centre."

READ MORE:

*Top tips for pet-friendly landlords and tennants with pets

*Couple hopeful for more pet friendly rentals

*Family forced to ditch their dog

The SPCA in North Taranaki has had 80 animals surrendered to them in the last year because of rental restrictions and in the Waikato, one in five calls to the SPCA are from owners who want to surrender their animals because they can't find a pet-friendly place.

The potential damage animals cause the house is the primary reason for the "not pets allowed" clause. But, as Dr Dale says, "overseas research has found, it is often children who cause more damage to rentals than pets do."

Nick Powell, property investment manager at L J Hooker, thinks potential damage shouldn't be a reason to ban pets, "I don't know why owners have such a big problem with pets, it is standard practice to take four weeks rent in bond from a tenant, which would cover any damage - and if it didn't, a landlord could always apply to the tribunal to get more."

Dr Dale says dogs are worst affected by the rental restriction, "they are perceived to be more problematic because they are more visible."

Of the 90 properties Powell manages, he says only 10 might allow dogs, but most would be fine with cats.

Powell says renters tell him that most pet-friendly rentals are the worst properties, and the only reason they are pet friendly is because the landlord can't rent them to anyone else.

He encourages landlords to accept pets, "there is such a high demand that it means their property will rent faster. The last property I rented as pet friendly had over 50 people interested in it."

Pet owners are usually reasonably responsible because their task is to care for another being, says Dr Dale, which would usually make them a good candidate for a rental property.

Tenants with pets also know how hard it is to find a pet-friendly rental and are more likely to stay put. Data shows that Auckland tenants with pets stay in a property an average seven months longer than tenants without pets.

Dr Dale says that the "no pets allowed" restriction is a real pity and the SPCA have been strongly encouraging landlords to lift it.

"Pets are a huge advantage to all living situations: they inspire empathy, compassion and have huge benefits to children."

For families like Kiff and her fiance who have to choose between a home for their family or their pet, "it can be extremely challenging," she says.

TOP TIPS FOR RENTING WITH A PET:

1. Don't leave your house hunting until the last minute: As pet friendly rentals are hard to find, it is a good idea to give yourself plenty of time.

2. Write a CV for your pet: Provide your prospective landlord with as much information about your pet as you can. Provide contact details for someone who can care for your pet in an emergency and information about the last vaccinations your pet got, as well as treatments they've had. A reference from previous landlords is good to include.

3. Introduce your pet to your landlord: Meeting your pet in advance might put your landlord at ease. Offer to invite your landlord to your current home so they can see that your pet has caused no problems there.

4. Be honest: Don't sneak your pet into your rental without permission as it will only lead to problems in the future.

5. Keep the neighbours happy: To avoid your neighbours complaining about your pet, make sure the property has fences so your pet cannot get out and resolve any problems concerning your pet straight away.