The property advertised itself as pet-friendly, so the couple with a dog moved in. Upon
arriving, the couple discovered that pet-related fees were a bit higher than market value
and that the property’s pet spaces were small and limited.
The couple eventually wanted to add a second dog, but that wasn’t an option because the
property had a one-pet limit. Essentially, the property was pet-friendly only in that it
allowed pets.
That situation underscores the disconnect that often occurs between pet-owning residents
and rental properties. While 71% of U.S. households owned a pet in 2025 and an
overwhelming 97% consider them part of their family, renters often encounter various
restrictions at rental properties, including breed, weight, age (some don’t allow puppies or
kittens, for instance), and per-unit pet limits.
Read Victoria Cowart’s article in the Rental Housing Journal.