Pets in the City

Dogs Living In the City

October 1, 2008, 7:24 am Provided by Your Pet Magazine pets

With more than 60 per cent of Australian households owning pets, demand for pet friendly apartment developments is growing. Your Pet Magazine visits two pet friendly developments that are being embraced by dog lovers.

Dogs

Urban sprawl, land scarcity and high-density living around transport and retail centres have changed our urban landscape forever. These elements, combined with an influx of cashed up baby boomers who are up-shifting' from the family home, are putting pressure on property developers and body corporate managers to cater for pets.
"The great cities of the world have pet friendly apartments, namely Paris, New York and London," says David Pradella, joint director of construction and property development company Pradella.
"These high-density cities have no choice but to build upwards. Brisbane is heading down the same path and pets need to be factored into the development equation."
David is a self-confessed animal lover whose personal passion is evident throughout his landmark Parklands developments overlooking Brisbane's Roma Street Parklands.
"The pet friendly policy across our five buildings in Parklands has certainly paid off with a number of residents bringing their much loved pet with them," David says.
"Many residents who moved into Pinnacle had downsized from homes or as I like to call it, up-shifted', for reasons including children leaving home and to be closer to their work.
"It's not surprising that many had the family dog or cat to take into consideration which can seriously impact on purchasing decisions.
"The pet business is worth billions to the Australian economy, indicating that pets play a major role in our society ... in fact Australians have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world."
With his own dog Eddie, becoming well accustomed to apartment living after gaining approval to reside in a recently-purchased Gold Coast apartment, David says only a few new inner-city developments coming on stream in Brisbane could be considered pet friendly.
"Parklands success in the market is evident by the fact that of the 60 apartments in our landmark Pinnacle development, only 20 remain for sale," he says.
While there is a size limit for pets at Pinnacle of 10 kilograms and under, David says size alone does not automatically guarantee resident' status.
"Pets must be well behaved and not too noisy for the comfort of other residents," he adds.
Boo Brett has lived at Pinnacle since mid-2006 and couldn't be happier after the family moved from acreage at Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane's western suburbs.
"We wouldn't have moved here if we couldn't bring Ellie, our much-loved five-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. The apartment is huge and Ellie has adapted very well," Boo says.
"She's actually lost weight due to three walks a day ... I'll walk her early in the morning and the children will take her for a couple more walks and a play when they get home from school.
"Apartment living suits Ellie down to the ground because she's quite lazy, and if she's not sitting on the lounge or one of the beds, she's out on the balcony with the family.
"Having the Roma Street Parklands on our doorstep is a major bonus."
It's not just the Brisbane climate and lifestyle that is driving dog-friendly developments. Almost 200 dogs live at Jacksons Landing, a harbour front community in Sydney's Pyrmont Point.
"While apartment-dwelling dogs and cats have been accepted in Europe and the US for some time, it is a relatively new concept in Australia," says Rob Deck, project director of Jacksons Landing, a prestigious waterfront development that encourages residents to keep pets.
"If developers disallow pets they're excluding a significant number of potential buyers."
Almost 200 dogs live at Jacksons Landing, which is located near Darling Harbour, and this fondness for pets is considered to be a factor in its sales success.
"We have advertising campaigns devoted to attracting residents with pets, setting us apart from most other developments in Sydney," Rob says.
Complete with ample open parkland, special doggy-do bins and even a handful of dog-sitters, four-legged friends are well catered for at the harbour front community. Residents have even formed a group called the Pyrmont Pooch Party', which meets regularly in Cadi Park - one of several parks within Jacksons Landing and one of the area's most popular dog-walking spots.
Resident and Pyrmont Pooch Party coordinator Gaye McLean says the adjoining parklands give dogs and their owners some exercise while providing a great opportunity for social interaction.
"The group also comprises Pyrmont residents from outside Jacksons Landing and we always run into each other when we're walking our dogs."
The first stage of another expansive waterfront park has recently been completed at Jacksons Landing, providing a myriad of new facilities and amenities for the public and providing a green, organic space for local residents to share with their children and their pets.
Despite catering to the needs of pets, it's not just the pooches that are enjoying the pampered lifestyle.
Rob says Jacksons Landing has attracted people who want a change of lifestyle; who like the idea of living close to the water, parkland and entertainment facilities; and who use the comprehensive transport systems to get to and from work.
"They like to be among the hum of the city while not always being confronted by it."
Pet friendly property developers are clearly meeting a market need, but to ensure people and pooches live happily together, responsible pet ownership is essential. This means cleaning up after your pooch; ensuring it gets plenty of exercise and stimulation to avoid boredom (which can lead to barking); and teaching your dog good manners and behaviour.
Things to look for in a pet friendly apartment:
- large safe balconies
- extensive tiling or floorboards throughout
- good insulation or soundproofing
- floor to ceiling windows so pets can look out
- interior doggy doors to allow freedom to move through the apartment
- close to dog-friendly parks and walking trails
- a pet friendly body corporate.