You could justify holding if you were going to hold them for a decade or two, but if you aren't willing to put that kind of money into them for that long, you might do yourself a favor by cutting them loose quickly.Try @Dan Heuschele for some local insight.

I purchased a home on a short sale several years ago and thought they had fallen out of favor with the increase in property values. 

I favor Chula Vista south of San Diego for the best long term play. $1Billion Project approved for West Chula.

As a real estate agent and investor I was hoping to add some peace here, but after walking through countless owner-occupied homes and tenant-occupied homes the conclusion I'm coming to is this:  the odds are not in favor of the resident of a home maintaining the home as well with a pet as would be case without a pet. 

@Thomas LeBarre, yes, a management agreement will favor the PM company because they paid for their lawyer to create it. 

You aren't really doing them a favor by letting them out of their lease, it is a huge hassle to move. 

Maybe if family health is an issue that is something that works in your favor.

I'm doing some research into the Buffalo,NY market because of the favorable purchase to rent ratios and came across the population decline statistic.

Let that last part go if it is the case and do them a favor and don't ask for your old fence back and they are ahead again. 

It's worth researching which entity structure is favored under the tax treaty with your home country.