By Danit Zivan, Co-Founder & COO at Bark Buildings

With the pandemic still ever-present, it's important that visiting pet-care providers follow the proper protocols to avoid the spread of COVID-19. As owner-operators, there are a few steps you can take to ensure pet carers are keeping your residents and themselves safe and healthy.

For residents who've contracted or been exposed to COVID-19, a 14-day quarantine and self-care is the recommended course of action. But what about pet-owning residents, particularly dog-owners, who have to walk and exercise their pets? We have a few tips to help property managers and owners in this very situation. 

Last updated on April 1st, 2020

According to the CDC, there is no evidence that pets can spread COVID-19. We've put together a few FAQs to help owners and operators navigate the scenario of a resident falling ill.

Rental property managers have an opportunity to foster safe interaction with their pet-owning residents so social distancing doesn't turn into isolation. Learn how owners and operators create ways for their residents to interact safely.

Because animals have the potential to lift spirits, tenants can benefit from fostering or adopting animals during the pandemic. Easing pet restrictions and explaining the benefits of pet ownership is a plus for tenant and owner-operator alike. 

Owners-operators can benefit from allowing their communities to own pets by looking at the potential revenue benefits. Pet rent, added amenities and concierge services are just a few ways to bring in additional income.

The pandemic shed light on an indisputable fact: people and their pets need each other. If you're looking to increase demand in your communities, consider re-evaluating your pet policies. 

Pet owning residents are more likely to bond with their neighbors, pay rent on time, and renew leases. Let's look at the impact on pets on resident happiness and satisfaction. 

Pet breed and size restrictions are largely arbitrary. Following one company's example could mean more lease renewals and happier residents for you.  

By eliminating size and breed restrictions, apartment operators can reduce insufficient emotional support animal requests because residents  won't feel compelled to designate their would-be restricted pets as emotional support animals.

Easing pet restrictions can have a big impact on demand for apartment housing. As more residents are looking for pets to give them company while spending more time at home, they’re also looking for pet-friendly housing.

Twenty-five percent of renters move because they want to remain with their pets. Owners and operators can reduce churn by reconsidering and updating their pet policies. Learn what others have done to keep their pet-loving residents put. 

As apartment operators slowly abandon antiquated pet policies in favor of forward-thinking procedures that reflect the preferences of the modern-day renter, they must make certain not to alienate the non-pet owner demographic.

While 76% of operators identify their property as being pet-friendly, a staggering 72% of renters say that pet-friendly housing is hard to find. As these numbers seem to contradict one another, finding the cause of this disconnect is crucial to creating a community that is not just pet-friendly, but also pet-inclusive.