Is your property pet-friendly or pet-inclusive? You may be missing out on revenue.

If creating a pet-inclusive property wasn’t already a primary focus for 2024, it should be.

With dogs occupying more than 62 million households in America, pet owners account for a significant slice of the multifamily prospect pool.

A property’s pet-friendliness is a deterministic factor for most renters. According to a recent survey by apartment operator Cortland, pet policies are the number one consideration for dog owners seeking an apartment. Eighty-percent of respondents said they would consider moving if their current housing situation wasn’t dog-friendly, and 86% cited pet policies as more important to decision-making than the property’s cost or location.

In a competitive industry, it’s no longer enough for multifamily properties to just be “pet-friendly.” Properties that want to capture this growing population within the multifamily resident pool must become pet-inclusive.

Many communities have already adapted to the growing demand for a pet-ownership experience for residents – and are profiting from it.

From adding pet amenities, to relaxing restrictions and improving pet management, these pet-inclusive properties are discovering new revenue streams, higher resident retention rates, and happier communities. So, how can properties become pet-inclusive, without compromising operations or satisfaction from non-pet owners?

Invest in more pet amenities (and even services)??

Dogs are no longer just pets, for many, they are a part of the family and are treated and pampered as such.

Pet amenities such as dog grooming spas or obstacle courses are excellent pet-inclusive investments for multifamily properties and are quickly becoming the standard in "luxury” apartment communities. While these are wonderful bonuses for pets and their owners, it’s not possible for every community.

A well-maintained pet park with ample space, shaded areas and regularly stocked pet waste stations still shows residents that their four-legged roommates are valued in your community. Even on a budget, communities can become pet-inclusive by incorporating pets into community events and other engagement initiatives – like “yappy hours” or “Pet of the Month” giveaways – or partnering with local pet services, like dog walkers, groomers or veterinarians.

Reconsider your property's pet policies?

For most pet owners, pet restrictions are a defining factor in decision making, and properties that restrict dog breeds, sizes and unit occupancy are missing out on a significant population of tenants.

According to the APPA 2020 National Pet Owners Survey, 66% of all dogs owned in the U.S. are 25 pounds or more, and about half of them are mixed breeds.

While pet policies exist for good reason, breed restrictions should be looked at on a case-by-case basis by evaluating pets (and their owners) to avoid traditional prejudices against certain breeds.

Properties that want to become more pet-inclusive should also consider amending weight restrictions as well, as no concrete data exists that shows larger pets have more of a propensity to cause property damage.

Properties should consider raising the limit of pets per household, if possible. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average number of pets per household is 1.46. Unit restrictions should at least meet the household average.

Ensure that you’re properly managing your four-legged residents?

While, pet-friendly community does mean an increase in potential residents, it also means an influx in the amount of unscooped pet waste found onsite.

In most cases, the top complaint from residents (both with and without dogs) is pet waste on the property. Despite all the dog-friendly amenities and yappy hours, unscooped pet waste can tank resident satisfaction.

It’s crucial for properties to properly manage four-legged residents – and their waste – when becoming pet-inclusive communities. Pet DNA matching is the most effective way for multifamily properties to manage pets, and thousands of communities have already tapped into the power of this biotechnology.

Communities that use PooPrints see an average 96% reduction rate in unscooped pet waste on property, increase resident satisfaction, and can generate revenue that can be reinvested back into the community.??

It's more important than ever for multifamily properties and management to adapt to the priorities and needs of their pet-loving resident pool.

By: J Retinger, CEO at BioPet Laboratories