Pets are People too

Pets are a great way to break the ice with residents and future residents. When I have a community that is “Pet Friendly” I keep a jar of treats on my desk and in the leasing office. Everyone loves their furry companions. Pet owners are wonderfully surprised when you welcome their pet into your community. When a community claims to be pet friendly I think it’s important to really take that to the next level. Creating a pet corner on my bulletin board was my next idea to let the residents know that we adore their pet as much as they do. On facebook we have the “Pet of the day” Bring your pet in and we will take their photo and post it on facebook and the pet receives a free treat! Purchase labels with your community logo on it and put on mason jars filled with treats. Leave a stack of your business cards next to the jar at vets, pet hotels and pet smarts in the area. Purchase bandannas with your logo on it and hand out at dog parks. Advertise in Pet Scene Magazine and other publications geared toward pet owners. The Animal Foundation has several events each year and you can place an ad in the program. One of the biggest is the Best in Show. It’s a huge event that brings in lots of publicity and is backed by many local celebrities. This is an inexpensive way to reach out to future residents looking for a pet friendly community.