Pets

We're a pet-friendly landlord.  In order to have a pet in your apartment, you'll need to consider the following:

Things to Consider

1. There is a maximum of two pets allowed in each apartment (an aquarium is considered one pet if it has five or less small animals in it).
2. We don't allow any pets over 60 lbs.
3. We only accept spayed and neutered dogs and cats.
4. Dogs and cats must be rabies vaccinated and be properly licensed.
5. Certain breeds of dogs and cats are dissalowed based on behavioral problems associated with the breed.
6. Only standard domestic pets will be allowed.  We do not allow any livestock or exotic animals.
7. Water-filled aquariums may not exceed 25 gallons, and will be accepted only on a case-by-case basis.
8. If you have a dog or cat you must carry a Renter's Insurance policy with at least $100,000 in animal bite liability.  With some breeds of dogs, you must also provide a letter from the agent on his/her letterhead that states the insured’s vicious dog, by name, is specifically covered by the policy in force.
9. DNA samples will need to be collected from dogs via a mouth swab, and will be placed in a national database.
10. You will need to pay a $25-per-month pet rent.
11. In some cases an additional Security Deposit will also be required.
12. If you are found to have an unregistered pet in the building, you will immediately be fined $150, and the pet may be banned forever with no exceptions!  So make sure to have the pet approved first before bringing it into your apartment.

Dogs and cats may not be allowed in any common hallway, entrance or common room without a leash.  At buildings with common back yards, pets may be unleashed, but may not be in the yard without supervision (this includes both dogs AND cats).  All waste must be immediately picked up by the owner (don't go into the yard without a poop bag!).  Do not allow pets to walk on or urinate on any plantings such as shrubs or flowers.  Violators will be heavily fined.

UNAUTHORIZED PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING AT ANY TIME, not even for short visits!

Even if we do give you permission to have a pet in your apartment, we reserve the right to revoke permission at any time if the pet becomes a nusance to neighbors or the building through noise, smells or any other reason.  If we do revoke permission, the pet will need to be removed immediately.   Your Apartment Lease will not be affected, and you will still be responsible for all of the terms of the Lease.

The Process

STOP! Your pet may not be allowed to enter the building under any circumstances until this process is complete and you have received written permission from our office.

To begin the pet approval process, you'll need to fill out and sign a Pet Addendum and email it to your manager.  Make sure your pet meets all of the requirements outlined above.  The addendum must be filled out completely in order for us to consider approval.  For dogs and cats, you must also submit a picture of the pet, a certificate of spay or neuter, a rabies vaccination certificate and a valid pet license (see below).  Once we receive the completed addendum and supporting documents, we may request additional information from you prior to accepting the pet.  With dogs, this may include a physical inspection to determine the dog's personality.  If the pet is not a dog or a cat, please contact the apartment manager for more details on application requirements.

Dog Owners:  You must to purchase a DNA ID test kit from us to collect a DNA sample from your pet prior to approval.  More information on DNA testing can be found lower on this page.  You will also have to provide proof of a binding Renter's Insurance policy with at least $100,000 in animal bite liability.  (We are not currently sampling cat DNA.)

Once your request has been approved and all fees and deposits have been paid, we will email you back the ratified pet addendum.  The pet may not be introduced to the building or the apartment under any circumstances until you have received the signed addendum back from us. 

Licensing (Baltimore)

Dogs and cats must be licensed prior to approval. If you have a dog or a cat:

Step 1: Have your pet(s) vaccinated for rabies, and keep the rabies vaccination certificate.

Step 2: Fill out the attached dog and/or cat application (one for each animal).

Step 3: Bring the completed application, rabies vaccination certificate, proof of spay/neuter if applicable, and the correct application fee (as indicated on the application) to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) at 301 Stockholm St., Baltimore, MD 21230.

DNA Testing

Everyone knows that pet waste is not an enjoyable thing to see lying around our common areas. And it's even worse if we don't see it and accidentally step or fall in it.  But those are only minor concerns.  What should worry you about unscooped dog waste are the health concerns and the impact it has on our environment.

Nearly every case where disease is transmitted from pet to human (Zoonoses) can be prevented with proper hygiene. The first step is to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste, as most harmful germs are in the waste.

• Diseases from pet waste can pass to people. Some of these diseases include: Campylobacterosis, Salmonellosis and Toxocariasis (check out this article from the CDC)
• Unscooped dog waste is often washed into storm sewers that drain into natural bodies of water.
• Contaminates water supplies causing mucky algae and it can kill fish and other creatures living in the water. Contamination can also make some shellfish inedible
• Unsuspecting people and pets accidentally drinking contaminated water can become very ill.

To collect a DNA sample, you must purchase a DNA Pet ID Kit from Downtownian.com (current cost to you is $45 per kit). DNA Collection is performed with an easy-to-use and harmless cheek swab.   The swab is then mailed into BioPet Vet Labs in Knoxville, TN along with information and a picture of the pet.  DNA results will be permanently recorded in the DNA World Pet Registry where it can also be accessed by future landlords.

Spaying/Neutering

All dogs and cats over the age of three months are required to be spayed or neutered prior to being allowed into a Downtownian.com apartment, with no exceptions.  This is to prevent territorial scenting and/or spraying, as well as other aggressive behaviors which may result in damage to the apartment and/or injury to other residents and their pets.  To prove that the procedure has been done, you will be required to show either a letter or receipt from your veterinarian.

If your dog or cat is under the age of three months, a spay/neuter procedure may not be possible.  In this case, we will ask you to provide proof of a scheduled appointment for the procedure, to take place no later than 90 days from the date the pet has been introduced to the apartment.  You will also be charged a higher monthly pet rent of $75/mo until the procedure has taken place.  Once the procedure has taken place, you must provide us with proof immediately, and we will reduce the monthly pet rent to $25/mo.  If we do not receive proof of spay/neuter within three days of the date the procedure is scheduled to take place, we will ban the pet from the building forever.