For many, that bundle of fluff is part of the family

For pet lovers, a house is not a home without Fido or Fluffy.

At least one dog, cat, bird or other companion animal is part of the family in more than 60% of the nation’s households, according to the American Veterinary Medical Assn.

That includes homes, condos, town houses and apartments.

When selecting a pet, homeowners generally have the greatest freedom. Of course, everyone must obey zoning laws and local restrictions, such as the type of fence allowed. Some single-family home developments do have rules restricting pet ownership, although they are rarely as extensive as those dictated by condo associations or town house developments, where owners live in closer contact.

The greatest challenge, however, is faced by renters, because some landlords just say no. No dogs. No cats. No birds. No goldfish. No pets. A total ban. And no amount of negotiation or pleading will ease that prohibition.

Finding a pet-friendly landlord is possible, although it may take a little extra time, according to a recent survey of renters by Apartments.com, a national subscription listing service online for places to rent.

Most apartment owners who allow pets require tenants to pay a pet deposit and a heftier security deposit in case the pets damage anything, according to the survey. Many landlords permit only cats or dogs that weigh less than 25 pounds. Such pet policies are the most important factor in selecting an apartment, according to 14% of the renters who responded to the survey.

Having a pet is not an inalienable right, but many people consider their critters members of the family.

So much so that Americans own an estimated 69 million cats, 62 million dogs and an escalating population of rabbits, ferrets, birds and reptiles, according to the American Animal Hospital Assn. And that doesn’t include horses kept for recreation.

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gayle.pollard-terry@latimes .com