Q: What should we do with our pets when our house is on the market?

A: Realtors get asked that question all the time. It is really difficult for us to answer that truthfully, especially when we love our pets too. We consider them family, but. . . Not everyone has the same fond feelings for pets. Some people are actually afraid of them. I've been in some homes where I've seen boa constrictors, lizards, iguanas, ferrets, alligators, rabbits, cats, dogs, hamsters, birds, turtles and fish. They are all considered pets to some people.

A: Realtors get asked that question all the time. It is really difficult for us to answer that truthfully, especially when we love our pets too. We consider them family, but. . . Not everyone has the same fond feelings for pets. Some people are actually afraid of them. I've been in some homes where I've seen boa constrictors, lizards, iguanas, ferrets, alligators, rabbits, cats, dogs, hamsters, birds, turtles and fish. They are all considered pets to some people.

1. If they are in tanks or cages, you might want ask your friends or neighbors to baby-sit them for awhile.

2. If they are free roaming animals, you might want to come home and take them for a walk while the house is being shown, or put them in a cage in the garage or basement.

3. If it's an indoor cat, you might want to leave a note on the door indicating that the cat is not allowed outdoors or vice versa.

Your animals are feeling the stress, just like you. They don't know who all these strangers are walking through their homes. They might even start having little "accidents." I know it's hard on everyone and everything, but we must do what we have to do to sell your house so you can move on.

There is nothing worse than coming up the walkway and hearing and seeing dogs barking. Most Realtors will not open the door for fear they or their clients of will be bitten or jumped on. You don't need a lawsuit on your hands.

Animals also have an odor that can be displeasing to buyers. Homes that smell of smoke or animal are one of the biggest turn-offs to buyers. If it's really bad, you might have to replace your carpets before you put your house on the market and buy a new dog bed. If you have kitty litter in the house, make sure it's changed and cleaned every day. Same goes for birds, hamsters, rabbits and ferrets, if you can't find anyone to take them for a mini-vacation. Make sure the animals' dishes are cleaned and their toys stored away. Hide the doggie bed under your bed or store it in the basement or garage.

As far as "dead animals on the wall or stuffed ones on pedestals, they might be your trophies for you to admire, but not everyone will be admiring them. You're moving anyway, so you might as well start packing them up. Buyers will remember your house by the animals, both dead and alive. Why give them something negative to think of. Don't get me wrong, some animals are adorable, but after a couple of minutes of licking ankles, sniffing clothes and following people into every room, some buyers just can't wait to get out of the house.

Let's make this a win-win for everyone, pets included. Pamper them, give them extra baths, clean beds and toys, extra walks around the block, extra treats, extra trips in the car -- whatever it takes to keep them happy. This will make the Realtors happy and ultimately there will be a happy home buyer.

Submitted by Karen Cormier, Broker and Realtor member of the Greater Manchester/Nashua Board of Realtors.