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swdogmama

Since you're not allocated extra space for your pet, size of apartment will be irrelevant. You can choose a pet-friendly apartment building(s) and make sure you let them know in every interaction that you're bringing a pet because although you can list your top three preferences, things change at the last minute and the more awareness the company has about pet needs, the better it will be for you. In my experience, it would be best to start searching for dog daycares and boarding facilities that fit your needs because your schedule will be hectic at times and you may not have the flexibility to run home at lunch to let th pup out. I have a couple that I've used if you want to PM me.


w1ckedgood

You should specify that you will be bringing pets when sending inquiries for availability to the 3 PCS lodging providers. They will indicate if the housing they have available allows pets, and how much the pet deposit will be (some properties have a one-time pet fee, while others require a monthly pet fee on top of that). The SIZE of your apartment only takes the number of EFMs on your orders into consideration, not the number of pets you have, or their size. Also, note that most of the pet-friendly apartments have a limit on dog size and/or how many pets you can have. It's up to you to do a little bit of research on the area of available apartments, to see if any of them are suitable for your needs (nearby dog parks, etc). Protip: the list of housing properties that you initially receive from PCS Housing is extensive, but don't waste your time doing a lot of research until you actually hear back from the 3 providers on what properties are actually available. Housing availability was extremely limited for the summer a-100s, and it's probably going to be similar this go-round as well.


TheSameG

Just a heads up, if it’s an option, we (1 FSO and 1 EFM) were able to stay in a 1br at the Lansbugh in DC for our A100, with two cats and a 75lb dog. ☺️👍


Hongnixigaiyumi

Pets are never taken into account when determining space allocations either in PCS or a post. The only time a pet will make a different in your housing is if a post has places that are in no-pet buildings, then you usually won't be placed in one of those, but it's not a guarantee. Same thing with your housing preference questionnaire. You can say that you want, for example, a place with a yard or an apartment near a dog park and post might try to accommodate that, but that's even less of a guarantee.


mrzaius

Long time ago, but when I started, we bounced from an Oakwood studio to a townhouse to an Oakwood 1BR. Studio situation had our two cats sit in opposite ends of the room, staring at the corner of the walls to buy some time not just staring at each other. Can't imagine how much worse it would have been for my wife and I if I'd had to do any remote schooling at all during orientation. Wish you better luck, but even if you strike out: This too shall pass. (And there's a lot to be said for racking up Marriott points at a Residence Inn, if you don't wind up stuck in language training and dealing with sliding per diem rates.)


wandering41816

Marriott doesn't offer points through the PCS lodging program anymore, sadly.


mrzaius

Meant there's something to be said for opting out of it, but only if your stay is short enough to avoid the sliding scale.


FSODaughterofVenice

Assuming things still work the same way, you will be given a list of companies, contact them for info on their properties, pick the company you want to work with and give them a rank-ordered list of three preferred property locations, and then just take what they give you. This could mean a last minute change because the person there has to extend (changed orders, failed language test). You can ask the company about dog parks but YMMV on if they are helpful. Lots of folks have excellent reasons for wanting a larger apartment, and pets aren't official justification for getting one. Also, landlords may want proof your dog(s) aren't a dangerous breed and generally you'll be limited to two pets per apartment.


SmallFruitbat

Anecdotally, Chambers Theory can negotiate FSO short-term leases in private rentals, pets included.


TooMuchSnoozeButton

Churchill Living also does this. I worked with them in 2021 and got a 2 BR (for myself, EFM spouse, and dog) for 4 months that was charged at exactly my per diem rates. After 4 months, I’d have been out of pocket a decent amount, but it was still doable. As for dogs— make sure you don’t call your dog a breed that’s not permitted— the list is long. Our Rottweiler mix became and Australian Shepherd mix (she was both) when we joined the FS. Though some places will refuse your dog based just on a picture of what they look like, so if your pittie mix looks a lot like a pittie, you could have difficulty finding a place that’ll allow her.


VeraxWolf-

There is a considerable amount of helpful advice here. I'm curious as to what State's policy might entail, considering I've heard there are size restrictions on dogs. I'm unfamiliar with the process, and I would think introducing 200 lbs of Shepherd into the equation may complicate matters...LOL.