DFW Property Management – Pet Criteria
Our priority is to protect the property, the safety of all residents, and the interests of property owners. Because pets can create additional risks, we apply strict and consistent criteria for all pet approvals. These standards help ensure compliance with insurance requirements, reduce property damage, and minimize liability for both owners and tenants. All pet applications are reviewed carefully through a third-party verification process before approval is granted.
⚠️ Important: Some property owners may choose to not allow any pets in their property or may enforce their own restrictions (for example: dogs allowed, but no cats). In such cases, the owner’s instructions take priority, and applicants must comply with those specific criteria.
General Pet Policy
All pets must be disclosed on the rental application and approved in writing prior to occupancy.
Each pet must be registered through dfwpropertymanagement.petscreening.com (including service and assistance animals for documentation purposes).
- Note: PetScreening.com charges a separate fee for processing pet/animal applications. This fee is the applicant’s responsibility, in addition to the standard rental application fee, and is non-refundable.
Maximum of 2 pets per household, unless explicitly approved by the owner and management.
All pets must:
Be at least 12 months old.
Be spayed or neutered (proof required).
Be up to date on vaccinations (rabies, distemper, parvo, bordetella for dogs; FVRCP for cats).
Have current city registration/license if required by law.
Pet Fees
One-Time Non-Refundable Pet Fee: $400 per pet (may vary depending on property).
Monthly Pet Fee: $30 per pet.
Service Animals & ESAs: Exempt from pet fees, but verification through dfwpropertymanagement.petscreening.com is required.
Restricted Breeds – Aggressive or High-Risk Dogs
The following breeds, or any mixed breed containing them, are not permitted:
Pit Bull Terrier / American Pit Bull
American Staffordshire Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Rottweiler
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepherd
Chow Chow
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
Husky (Alaskan or Siberian)
Presa Canario
Cane Corso
Mastiff (all types, incl. Bullmastiff, Neapolitan, English)
Wolf-Hybrids or any non-domesticated canine
⚠️ Important: We also reserve the right to deny any animal, regardless of breed, if it demonstrates aggressive behavior or poses a safety risk.
Other Animal Restrictions
Cats: Must be indoor only; declawed cats may be required at some properties.
Exotics/Non-Traditional Animals: Not permitted (snakes, reptiles, spiders, ferrets, rabbits, birds, livestock, etc.).
Fish Tanks & Aquariums
Allowed up to 20 gallons total per household.
Tenants must maintain renter’s insurance that covers water damage caused by aquariums.
No pet fees or monthly pet rent apply to aquariums.
Tanks larger than 20 gallons are not permitted unless specifically approved in writing by the property owner and management.
Tenant Responsibilities
Tenants are fully responsible for all damages caused by their pets, including flooring, doors, fencing, and landscaping.
Pet waste must be removed daily; yards must be maintained in sanitary condition.
Pets must be kept under control at all times — leashed in common areas and never left unattended outdoors for extended periods.
Tenants are responsible for noise complaints caused by pets.
Service & Assistance Animals
Service animals (ADA): Not considered pets. Breed, size, or weight restrictions do not apply. However, the animal must remain under control and not pose a direct threat to health or safety.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) (Fair Housing Act): Not considered pets. Reasonable accommodation requests require valid documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.
We comply fully with the ADA and FHA. However, even with assistance animals, we reserve the right to deny approval if the animal poses a direct threat or causes substantial property damage.
All assistance animals must still be processed through dfwpropertymanagement.petscreening.com for verification.
Disclaimer
Approval of a pet or assistance animal does not remove tenant liability. Tenants remain 100% responsible for their animal’s behavior, damages, and compliance with local laws. DFW Property Management and the property owner are not liable for injuries or damages caused by any approved animal.
Last Updated: September 2025