Start with screening
Careful screening of prospective tenants is the first step to a successful pet policy. By asking a few simple questions, property owners can screen out irresponsible pet owners and find the responsible ones who will make good tenants.

Put it in writing
A written agreement protects the interests of both property owner and tenant, and pet rules and procedures help avoid misunderstandings.

Charge reasonable pet deposits
What is reasonable may vary, depending on the nature of each rental. While many landlords don't charge any additional pet deposit, one recent survey showed that the most common pet deposit was $150.

Establish limits
Limit permissible animals to common pets like dogs, cats, rodents, fish, and birds. A policy on how many pets each tenant may own can also help keep the building's pet population at manageable levels.

Set parameters
Should certain types of pets be confined to tenants' apartments? Should other pets be permitted in all or only parts of the common areas? Should dogs be leashed when in hallways and other communal areas? Establish pet regulations in advance, before any conflicts arise.

Ensure cleanliness
A responsible pet owner will agree to immediately pick up and dispose of dog feces, bag kitty litter before placing it in garbage containers, and take other necessary sanitation measures.

Require spaying and neutering
Spayed and neutered animals are generally healthier, better behaved, and more suited to apartment living than their unaltered counterparts.

Determine emergency arrangements
Property owners may want to keep a file with the names and addresses of each pet's veterinarian and substitute caretakers designated by the tenant.

Put disciplinary procedures in writing and enforce them fairly
These procedures might include a provision for warning(s) before any punitive measures are taken. Whatever the policy, fair and consistent enforcement will reduce disputes and make for better relations between management and tenants.

Tell tenants about available services
Pet owners in San Francisco are lucky to have plenty of pet-related services at their disposal. Dozens of dogwalkers and petsitters are available in the City, and The San Francisco SPCA offers dog training classes, cat behavior videos, low-cost spay neuter clinic, an animal behavior helpline, and more.

If you'd like to know more,
we'll be glad to send you a complete package of information. E-mail us at publicrelations@sfspca.org, or drop a card to:

The Open Door Program
The San Francisco SPCA
2500 Sixteenth Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 554-3000