Pets have become integral to many renters’ households, and multifamily owners have responded by opening their communities to animals as a way to support leasing and resident retention. Yet a new Multifamily Pet Management Trends report from Foxen highlights how that strategy is running ahead of the systems needed to manage it, exposing operators to operational friction and risk.
Survey results cited in the report show that most communities still rely on restrictive pet policies even as they market themselves as pet-friendly. Nearly nine in ten respondents enforce a limit on the number of pets per household, while a majority apply breed and weight restrictions. Those rules are often tied to risk management and insurance requirements, but Foxen CEO Kevin Jacobson noted that more than a third of respondents could not explain why their breed restrictions exist, even though those policies directly shape who can qualify to live at a property.
The survey also reveals a disconnect between marketing and resident experience. While 76% of operators described their properties as pet-friendly, 72% of renters reported difficulty finding housing that truly accommodates pets. Jacobson argued that simply allowing animals is not the same as delivering a consistently pet-supportive environment, and that renters are clearly recognizing the difference.
Behind the scenes, pet administration remains heavily manual. Respondents reported relying on phone calls, email and paper forms to register animals and enforce policies. That approach can create bottlenecks, inconsistent enforcement and gaps in documentation. Jacobson pointed out that pet programs have not always been treated as a defined financial category, even though deposits, recurring pet fees and compliance around emotional support animal documentation all affect revenue capture and risk exposure.
The report suggests that proptech tools are increasingly viewed as part of the solution. Nearly two-thirds of surveyed operators expressed interest in software to centralize and track pet information, but only a small minority currently use a dedicated system. Jacobson said that transitioning from manual processes to technology requires careful planning so that new platforms align with portfolio-level rules and community operations rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all workflow.
As renters continue to view pets as family members, Foxen expects owner-operators to keep adapting policies and amenities while exploring technology that supports compliance and consistency. Jacobson cautioned that basic data collection is not enough; effective pet management technology should support the full leasing and renewal cycle, integrate with existing property management systems and create a clear, defensible process for handling issues such as emotional support animal documentation.
When implemented and integrated well, Jacobson said pet-focused platforms can free up onsite staff time, help protect net operating income, reduce liability concerns and support a more inclusive housing environment for residents with animals. The report positions pet management as both an operational challenge and a process-improvement opportunity for multifamily portfolios.
