Pet Fee vs. Pet Deposit

[Daryl L.]

I'm in a unique position where I'm a landlord and a tenant due to my job which has me travel for long-term projects. I have 3 rentals and I grew up in a rental family (father owns 30+ from single-residence, to efficiencies, to commercial) so I understand the pains that come with all of that. I'm fairly new to renting (only been doing it really for the past 2-3 years for work) and something I often run into is Pet Fees.  I have a 150lb Great Pyrenees/Mastiff mix who travels everywhere with me so when I find a place it has to be pet friendly. In all of my rentals I ask to meet the animal and evaluate on a case-by-case basis if I have any reservations and I charge a refundable pet deposit (if the animal doesn't cause any extra damage, I don't keep the deposit).

My question is do you charge a non-refundable fee or a refundable deposit, and why?