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A J.C. Hart Apartment Community in Westfield, IN
 

How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Westfield

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a dog or cat or are thinking about getting one soon, you’ll want to find a pet-friendly apartment in Westfield.  However, “pet-friendly” can be unclear. Unfortunately, “pet-friendly” isn’t very well defined. Some pet-friendly communities may actually allow you to own a dog or cat, but place restrictions on breed or size. Other Westfield apartments might even offer additional accommodations for your pet such as designated parks for your dog to play or provided waste disposal bags.

With such dramatic differences in pet-friendly apartments in Westfield, what criteria should you use to locate one that fits you and your pet?

Start Off By Reading Over The Property’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

A community is only as pet-friendly as the apartment community’s pet policy. The policy outlines what restrictions you have in regard to pet ownership. Some pet policies give great flexibility and allow you to keep any pet you’d like. Some have restrictions on different types of dog breeds. Others might place limits on the size and number of pets. And then some policies prohibit dogs completely and only permit indoor cats or small animals such as hamsters.

Very few apartments place restrictions on cat breeds. More common is a policy that has limits on how many pets are authorized in a single household. There also might be increased costs connected to your animals, like more expensive monthly rent or cleaning costs after move-out, or a non-returnable pet deposit you have to pay at move-in.

A pet policy with a lot of stipulations doesn’t automatically mean that the complex isn’t friendly to animals—just as long as you and your pet fit within the guidelines. But if you own a pet such as an American Staffordshire Terrier or a Great Dane, or are parents to a litter of kittens, you should probably carefully review the pet policy before you get invested in the complex.

Take A Look At The Available Pet Amenities During Your Tour

Picture of dog park in our Westfield apartment community

Just as you would inspect the pool on your tour, be sure to take a look at the pet amenities. Dedicated areas for your dog to play help your pooch burn off excess energy and give you a place where they can socialize. Stations with waste disposal bags, trash cans, and communal water bowls help keep the community clean. Some apartments even set up organized pet playdates or discounts on grooming for their four-legged residents!

Even though these amenities seem perfect on paper, the actual test of their pet-friendliness is how carefully they’re maintained. If the dog park hasn’t been mowed and is covered in trash, then it’s pretty much useless. Pet-friendly properties make sure that dog poop bags are always in stock and that the cans are emptied regularly. When you set up your tour of the property in Westfield, be sure to note whether the amenities for pets have the same care as the accommodations for humans.

Read Multiple Reviews To Learn More About Pet-Friendly Intangibles

If you are unsure whether a community is friendly to pets or not, make sure to explore the reviews on the Westfield apartment complex. Many apartment dwellers consider their fur-babies as an important part of their family and have no problem sharing their personal experiences of living in a particular community. You might learn that maintenance brings treats to hand out during service calls. Or that the complex’s office organizes a pet adoption event with the local humane society. You probably can mark those down in the pet-friendly column.

Reviews will also tell you of the complexes that will not return security deposits at move-out due to costs associated with pet cleaning, or those who charge exorbitant monthly fees for dogs and cats. Just don’t let one single unfavorable review change your mind, but if you note a lot of disgruntled pet owners, then you may think about looking elsewhere.

Union Street Flats Can Be Your New Place In Westfield For Both You And Your Dog Or Cat

When you’re researching a pet-friendly apartment in Westfield, make sure to check out Union Street Flats. We’re happy to show you the apartment where you and your pet can be comfortable. Contact us at (317) 942-3629 or select the schedule a tour button below.  We also offer virtual apartment tours! If you are unable to make it to the property, explore our detailed virtual tours.