A Dog’s Life

Multifamily pet policies get all warm and fuzzy.

6 MIN READ
PARTY ANIMALS: Metro, a property pet mascot, greets and entertains prospective tenants, signaling that pets are welcome.

PARTY ANIMALS: Metro, a property pet mascot, greets and entertains prospective tenants, signaling that pets are welcome.

At Metro 417, Forest City Residential hands out “555” maps to new residents showing what services—from dining and shopping to night spots, gyms, and car washes—are available within five blocks, five minutes, or five miles. An additional map for pet owners features pet supply stores, boarding and grooming centers, pet-friendly dining spots, dog parks, and animal behavioral specialists.

“People really are going pet crazy, and we want to know how we can capitalize on that,” Wick says. “So we’ve partnered with these local vendors. We’ll have them at special pet events on site, and we’ll do some cross-promotional branding.” One example: The local “Bark Avenue” doggie day care will do pickup and delivery every day for $25 and can even throw in a spa treatment for a stressed-out pooch.

Multifamily operators can also see some bottom-line action by instituting pet-friendly policies. Although the Apartments.com survey revealed that some residents doth protest extra pet deposits, a full 68 percent reported anteing up a modest fee for Fido to move in. At Mozaic, Ledoux and company have had nary a complaint charging a $500 pet deposit and $25 per month in pet rent.

Still, Spezzano suggests segregating pet-friendly buildings by floor to keep both the haves and have-nots satisfied. “Plus, we’ll typically get a 15 [percent] to 20 percent premium per door on pet-friendly floors compared to non-pet units,” he says.

Like any property management policy, the success of pet-friendly programs will ultimately hinge on the dedication of on-site personnel. “Your manager has to take control and responsibility of the program and embrace it,” Spezanno says. “If you are lax about it, it can turn around and bite you.”

There certainly haven’t been any bites at Metro 417, which Wick credits to mascot Metro’s friendly and social disposition, a trait inherent in West Highland terriers and one that Forest City specifically sought during the adoption process.

“Metro has a lot of friends, people that come and give him treats every day,” says Wick, who adds that she is currently adopting dogs for Forest City properties in Oakland, Calif., and Dallas. “He has done everything that we hoped he would do, and while we have not statistically drilled down and asked our residents, ‘Would you have lived somewhere else if our pet policies were not available?,’ I suspect they would have.”

Old Dogs, New Tricks

Avoid scratching fleas with this primer in pet-friendly policies:

  • Consider pet-specific floors. These areas can help to segregate the animal wants from the want-nots and can also help to realize a premium on pet-friendly units.
  • Conduct pet interviews. They can help a property manager determine if an animal and its owner have the skills and disposition to manage themselves and each other. Ask for vaccination records and take a photo for your files.
  • Check out local American Kennel Club and Humane Society chapters. Both offer for pet certification, training, and informational sessions that can be held at your property’s club house.
  • Co-brand with local pet stores and groomers. This helps your residents find the services they need while promoting your policies and branding your community.

About the Author

Chris Wood

Chris Wood is a freelance writer and former editor of Multifamily Executive and sister publication ProSales.

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