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How To Find Pet-Friendly Apartments in Indianapolis

May 22, 2020

Apartment with dog

If you own a dog or cat or are thinking about getting one in the near future, you are going to want to find a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis.  Unfortunately, the “pet-friendly” term can actually be unclear. However, the “pet-friendly” term isn’t very well defined. Some pet-friendly properties may really mean that you can own a pet, but place restrictions on breed or size. While other Indianapolis apartments might even offer accommodations for your dog like designated areas for your dog to play or free waste disposal bags.

With such a difference in pet-friendly apartments in Indianapolis, how do you find the one that is perfect for you and your pet?

Start Off By Reading Over The Property’s Pet Policy

Family walking with their dog on neighborhood trail

An apartment is only as welcoming to pets as the apartment community’s pet policy. This policy goes over what restrictions you have concerning pet ownership. Some pet policies give great flexibility and let you keep any pet. Some have restrictions on the breeds of dogs. Others might put limitations on how many pets you’re allowed, as well as how much they weigh. And then some policies ban dogs entirely and only let you have housebound cats or small caged animals.

Very few apartments have restrictions on the types of cat breeds allowed. A policy that places restrictions on the number of animals authorized in a single household is usually much more likely. There also might be extra fees associated with your animals, such as increased rent or costs for cleaning after move-out, or a pet deposit due at move-in.

A pet policy with a lot of conditions doesn’t necessarily mean that the apartment isn’t friendly to animals—provided you fit the parameters. But if you own a pet such as an American Staffordshire Terrier, or are fostering a litter of tiny kittens, you should definitely check the pet policy before you get invested in the community.

Check The Available Pet Amenities On Your Apartment Tour

Picture of dog park in our Indianapolis apartment community

Just as you would view the gym on your tour, be sure to check out the amenities for pets. Designated places for your dog to play give your pooch the opportunity to burn off excess energy and give you a place where they can socialize. Frequent walking stations with bags for waste disposal, garbage cans, and communal water bowls help keep the community clean. Some complexes even offer pet playdates or grooming discounts for residents!

While these amenities for pets seem perfect on paper, the actual test of their friendliness to pets is just how well they’re maintained. If the dog park hasn’t been mowed and is covered in trash, then it’s pretty much useless. Pet-friendly complexes make sure that waste disposal bags are always refilled and that the trash cans don’t overflow. Basically, when you schedule your tour of the complex in Indianapolis, be sure to note whether the amenities for pets are maintained as well as the ones for the human residents.

Check Out Reviews To See Pet-Friendly Intangibles

If you can’t decide whether an apartment is pet-friendly or not, check out reviews on the Indianapolis apartment. Many apartment dwellers see their fur-babies as a significant part of the family and willingly share stories about their experiences. You may discover that maintenance carries doggie treats to hand out during service calls. Or that the front office hosts an adoption day with the local humane society. You probably are safe to put those in the pet-friendly category.

Reviews will also expose the communities that won’t refund security deposits at move-out due to costs associated with pet cleaning, or the ones who demand an inordinate amount of monthly fees for pets. Just don’t let one unfavorable review sway you, but if you note a whole slew of displeased dog or cat owners, then you might think about looking at another property.

The Edge Would Love To Make Our Property Your New Place To Call Home In Indianapolis For Both You And Your Pet

When you’re researching a pet-friendly apartment in Indianapolis, make sure to check out The Edge. We’d love to show you the place where both you and your pet can be happy. Give us a call at 463-345-4399 or click the button below to schedule a tour.  We also offer virtual tours available! If you can’t make it to the property, take a look at our virtual tours.