By Wendy Dorchester
Pet-friendliness is one of the ultimate differentiators at rental communities, and the difference is obvious the moment you walk a truly pet-inclusive property. Residents bond over their pets, often knowing the names of each other’s dogs before they know the names of their neighbors. Communities that embrace this reality benefit from stronger renewal rates, more engaged residents and an environment that feels welcoming to a wider pool of renters.
But while the industry has made significant progress over the past decade, the recent 2026 State of Pets in Rental Housing Report by PetScreening shows that a gap still exists. In many cases, the level of pet-friendliness offered by rental communities does not fully match the expectations of today’s pet-owning renter.
The report indicates that only 43 percent of renters own a pet, while 71 percent of overall U.S. households own one, according to the American Pet Products Association. That disparity is telling. Some of it can be attributed to the fact that many rental communities still do not allow pets or have restrictions that make it difficult for pet owners to find housing. In other cases, the gap shows up in the form of unauthorized or underreported pets, often the result of policies that feel overly rigid to residents.
No one wants a neighbor with six dogs, four cats and a baby elephant in the apartment next door. But there is room for flexibility, and many communities could reasonably increase their limits from one pet to two without creating operational challenges.
One of the report’s primary conclusions is that communities can close this gap by shifting from blanket restrictions to more thoughtful, pet-responsible policies that evaluate pets and owners individually rather than relying on broad limitations.
Restrictions Remain Prevalent
Even with progress across the industry, restrictions are still common. According to the report, which surveyed 673 property managers and leasing professionals, 78.4 percent of rental communities limit the number of pets per unit.
That is understandable. No one wants a neighbor with six dogs, four cats and a baby elephant in the apartment next door. But there is room for flexibility, and many communities could reasonably increase their limits from one pet to two without creating operational challenges.
Breed restrictions were cited by 66.7 percent of respondents, and weight limits by 59.8 percent, which means renters with larger pets often have very limited options. Breed bans are frequently based on the assumption that insurance providers require them, but that is not always the case, and operators are encouraged to verify those requirements rather than relying on outdated standard operating procedures.
Weight limits, in particular, deserve another look. Many communities set limits around 45 to 50 pounds, even though there is no clear data showing that larger pets create more damage or disruption.
Speaking from personal experience, I have been part of a rescue family for more than 30 years and have had Great Danes for most of that time. Anyone who knows the breed knows they are often some of the laziest dogs you will ever meet. Size does not automatically mean high energy or high risk, and policies that assume otherwise can unintentionally exclude responsible residents.
Pet Amenity Offerings Are Good, But Not Great
Pet amenities are another area where the industry has improved but still has room to grow. Basic, functional spaces that allow pets to exercise and relieve themselves without disrupting the rest of the community are essential, not optional.
Survey respondents most often cited pet waste stations (45 percent) and pet parks (35 percent) as the amenities they provide. For communities that allow pets, these should be standard features, and percentages below the halfway mark show there is still progress to be made. This is especially true considering that 81 percent of operators reported an increase in pet ownership and 68 percent describe their communities as pet friendly.
However, simply having a pet park is not enough. Too often these spaces are undersized, poorly located or treated as an afterthought. Pets and pet owners want more than a fenced-in patch of grass. They want shade, places to sit, room to move and some variety in texture and layout so the space feels intentional and comfortable.
Well-designed pet areas quickly become social spaces within the community. When residents have somewhere to gather, talk and spend time with their pets, the result is stronger engagement, higher satisfaction and better retention. Thoughtful design goes a long way with pet-loving residents, and communities that invest in these details stand out immediately.
Additional amenities property owners offer, per the report, included dog-walking services (24.9 percent) and pet-focused events (11.2 percent). While not as critical as functional spaces, these offerings can create a meaningful competitive advantage and reinforce the sense that pets are truly welcome.
Pet-Friendly Challenges
Of course, being pet-friendly does come with challenges. Managing pets and assistance animals onsite requires planning, consistency and the right tools to support onsite teams.
Survey respondents ranked unauthorized pets, property damage and assistance-animal accommodation requests among the most difficult issues to handle. Other common challenges included pet waste, off-leash pets, noise complaints, pets in unauthorized areas and occasional safety concerns.
Fortunately, the industry now has more resources than ever to help manage these situations. Technology and screening tools allow communities to track pets, confirm compliance with policies and ensure residents understand their responsibilities. Partnering with experienced providers can also help teams navigate accommodation requests and maintain fair, consistent processes.
Pet-friendliness continues to play a major role in renter decision-making, and that trend is not slowing down. Search data from Apartments.com shows that more than half of renters using filters are specifically looking for dog-friendly communities.
The takeaway from the report is clear: Many properties believe they are pet-friendly, but residents may see things differently. Essentially, many properties still can do more. Whether it’s re-evaluating current limits and restrictions, bolstering pet-centric amenity spaces or adopting resources to help increase pet-friendliness, the effort will help meet the expectations of the modern pet-owning renter. Those already deploying a pet-friendly, pet-responsible environment are undoubtedly ahead of the curve.
Wendy Dorchester is the senior vice president of sales and strategic initiatives for Pegasus Residential, a property management firm based in Alpharetta, Georgia.