Animal Policy

Welcome to Shafer Investments! We strive to provide mutual accountability and responsibility for the benefit of all our residents. It's imperative that ALL our residents fully understand and acknowledge our animal-related policies. These policies ensure we have formalized animal-related policy acknowledgments and more accurate records to create greater mutual accountability. 

We use a third-party service, PetScreening.com, to ensure all applicants understand how to adhere to the property's animal policies, even if they do not have animals. All applicants must complete a Pet, No Pet, or Animal Profile. 

Not all Shafer Investments properties are animal-friendly. Check the listing for more specific information.

Allowed Animals

• Up to two (2) animals:  
  • One (1) cat and one (1) dog (65 lbs. or less) OR
  • Two (2) cats.  
• A small tank not to exceed ten (10) gallons with fish or a turtle.

Prohibited Animals

• Animals with a previous bite history or that display vicious or dangerous tendencies.
• Dogs predominantly with these breeds (or mixes of one or more of the following breeds):  Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier (Pit Bull), Chow, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Shar-pei, or Wolf Hybrid.
• Any pets that are wild, exotic, non-domesticated, or dangerous.
• Any pets that can infest the home, including snakes, rats, mice, and bugs.

Additional Requirements

• All applicants and residents 18 years or older who plan to live in the home must create and share a PetScreening.com profile regardless of whether they have an animal. 
• There is a $300.00 non-refundable animal fee for each animal.
• Monthly fees include an additional $50.00 for each animal.
• The tenant must have renter's insurance with $300,000 liability insurance, list the landlord as an additional insured on the policy, and provide the landlord with a copy of the declaration page before signing the lease.
• Tenants who wish to have an animal live in the rental property must introduce the animal(s) to the landlords before signing the lease.
• Animal(s) must wear a collar with visible identification. 
• Approved dogs must have a valid Pennsylvania dog license for the current year, and the tenant must give the landlord a copy of the paid receipt.
• After moving in, the landlord will visit the tenant and their animal(s) to see how the pet(s) is/are adjusting.
• The landlord will deny the application if the tenant's dog has had a previous bite history or displays vicious or dangerous tendencies.
• Please be aware of Pennsylvania's statutes or local ordinances for committing assistance animal fraud.