Rolling Out the Welcome Mat: Rethinking Pet-Related Restrictions

Pet restrictions regarding breed, weight and age have been part of multifamily operations forever. The truth is they aren't always necessary, and they're likely impairing your ability to attract and retain residents. In this session, a panel of experts will outline the benefits experienced by operators who reduce or eliminate restrictions, such as increased renter demand, increased renewal rates and sharp upticks in pet revenue. They will also explore the sometimes-faulty assumptions behind those restrictions and outline how to relax restrictions in a sensible and careful way. Furthermore, these experts will detail other ways in which communities can become more pet-friendly.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • The financial and operational benefits operators experience when they relax breed, weight, and other pet restrictions.
  • The sometimes-faulty assumptions behind pet-related restrictions.
  • Other ways in which apartment operators and their communities can increase their pet-friendliness.

Date and Time:  Thu., Apr. 21, 2:00 p.m. Eastern

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About the Hosts

John Bradford, Founder & CEO, PetScreening

John Bradford is an experienced entrepreneur and CEO with a history of working in the property management and pet-tech industry as well as in local and state government.  He is the founder of PetScreening and Park Avenue Properties.  John is a strong business development professional skilled in the rental housing management industry, technology startup space, legislative affairs and legal compliance and review.  He is serving a third term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. 

Wendy Dorchester, CAPS, Senior Vice President of Operations, Pegasus Residential

Wendy Dorchester, CAPS, is SVP Operations at Pegasus Residential. She currently serves on the Executive Leadership Team and oversees a portfolio in GA, LA, NC and SC, executing strategy to streamline operations and create a winning culture. Wendy is especially focused on operational excellence, multiplying leaders, and increasing the use of technology at all levels.  She is engaged in the newest emerging trends; her passion for the Apartment industry is evident throughout her career.

Judy Bellack, Industry Principal, Michelson Found Animals

Judy Bellack is the multifamily housing Industry Principal for Michelson Found Animals, a non-profit focused on improving the lives of pets and their owners.  Judy is a 30-year veteran of multifamily, most recently as an advisor to many of the industry's foremost new tech companies.  She is utilizing her expertise to spearhead Michelson's Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative to provide data and resources to create more pet-inclusive communities in ways that make good business sense for owners and operators.

K. David Meit, Founder, Oculus Realty, LLC K.

David Meit founded Oculus Realty, LLC in 2010 to serve the unmet advisory and property management needs of owners and developers of boutique apartment communities in the metro DC area.  Previously, David held management and executive positions at Bozzuto Management, Forest City Residential, DARO Realty and Vornado/Charles E. Smith.  His firm has been engaged by dozens of clients and managed over 50 communities totaling over three thousand units in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.