9 Pet-Friendly Event Ideas for Your Doggone Apartment Communities

Despite never having pets growing up, during Covid my husband and I decided to get a family dog. We painstakingly researched different breeds and decided a lab would be the friendliest around our two young daughters. And we got Jax. Then, three years later, we decided having 100 lbs of boundless energy (and piles of dog hair) wasn’t enough. With a lot less research, we adopted Cinnamon, a dog of indeterminate breed and origin. Our house it now pretty loud. And messy. And our shoes keep getting chewed up.

It’s been awesome.

Pet owners will do anything for their best buds. And a lot of apartment renters own pets. So do a lot of people looking for apartments. (The Humane World for Animals says that 72 percent of renters own pets.) So if you operate a pet-friendly community, you should definitely consider some events and activities that incorporate them. It’ll be great for marketing the community, resident retention and cuteness. Here are some ideas.

Give out move-in gifts: When a new resident who has a pet moves in, give them a bag full of goodies, like dog treats and apartment branded squeaky toys.

Hire a mobile grooming truck: If you don’t have pet washing station already at your community, you can hire a mobile grooming truck to come. Make it a whole party and get food trucks as well! (I was thinking human food, but if there are trucks that do pet treats, that could be fun, too!)

Have a costume contest: Animals are adorable. Costumes are hilarious. Animals in costumes? Um, there is possibly nothing better. And there’s no need to wait for Halloween. Animals in costumes is a timeless, wonderful thing. You can have a costume contest at your community, and either have the onsite team or residents judge. Because, even though not all pets can get the gold, we’re all in fact winners for having witnessed it.

Sit for an obedience class: I once came home to find that Jax had chewed up his dog bed. There was stuffing everywhere. It looked like there was a snowstorm in the house! Another time, I stepped away from the kitchen for a second, and when I came back a whole loaf of bread was gone. Cinnamon was on the couch, surrounded by a suspiciously large amount of crumbs. They are clearly the best boy and girl! I will not be taking further questions on the matter. But, yeah, maybe some dogs would benefit from obedience classes. You can hire a dog trainer and have them come in and teach an obedience class for residents and their dogs. This is not only useful, but renters without pets will also be grateful not to hear excessive barking or things crashing down because dogs are running all over the place.

Have a “Paint Pictures of Your Pet” event: Get some paints, brushes and mini canvases, and have your residents paint pictures of their pet. Or if you have a dog or cat that has become a community mascot of sorts (maybe there’s a dog that hangs out in the leasing office), you can have everyone paint that pet and display the masterpieces around the community.

Do a photoshoot: Hire a photographer and set up a photoshoot with residents and their pets. (Don’t forget to share the images on your social channels!) I recommend having laser backgrounds like in school photos from the ’90s, but that’s just me.

Teach a puppy yoga class: It’s like a regular yoga class, but with puppies running around!

Have an adopt-a-pet day: Reach out to a local shelter and see if they would bring some of their animals over for residents to adopt.

Host a Yappy Hour: I’m so sorry. Uggh, that’s really painful—the name’s real bad. But apparently that’s what they’re really called? Anyway, have a happy hour and encourage residents to bring their pets. Actually, you know what? I’m leaning into it now. You should make cocktails with pun names: French Bulldog Martini! Tom Collinspaniel! Gin & Terrier! Daikitty (that’s a daiquiri-kitty. I can’t—and won’t—be stopped)!

What are some other pet-friendly events? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send a tweet to @MHNOnline, or send me a message on LinkedIn.