by Kevin Juhasz

It’s not enough anymore to say you allow pets in your community. Today’s rental housing residents don’t want housing providers that merely tolerate their pets, they want ones that truly appreciate pets and go the extra mile to make pet owners feel welcome. 

“Residents understand that long-held perceptions of breeds are flawed, and many no longer favor these restrictions in their communities,” says Judy Bellack, Industry Principal for the Michelson Found Animals nonprofit and part of the team leading the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI), created in partnership with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). “Prospective and current residents are seeking an environment that understands pets and the intense bond they share with their owners. After all, pets are members of the family. Savvy operators embrace this dynamic and realize pet-inclusivity is good for business and the bottom line.”

Read Kevin Juhasz’s article in Units magazine.