Cape Town is considered the most pet-friendly city according to Seeff Property group – as it provides an array of options in accommodation for pet owners and their furry best friend.
Seeff Property Group research indicates that millennial first-time buyers and baby boomers looking to downscale in property are seeking pet-friendly properties that can accommodate a cat or small to medium-sized dog.
The youngest and oldest generations are looking for compact accommodation based on their lifestyle and affordability.
Pet ownership are the fastest growing lifestyle trend. Research conducted by the American pet food industry shows that 75% of millennials own a dog and over 50% own cats.
Pets are now seen as valuable family members with “pet parenthood” now part of society, housing needs to accommodate for furry loved ones.
These two generations make up the largest housing demographics and developers will need to cater to this changing lifestyle trend.
For baby boomers, pets become vital companions as they replace children who have left the nest and often, a lost partner, husband or wife. Owning a pet helps combat loneliness and depression.
There is also research that shows that pet ownership fosters greater community spirit.
Cape Town is arguably the most pet-friendly city in the country with many beaches, promenades and dog parks where you can take your dog for a walk.
Many restaurants also accommodate dogs and even offer water bowls.The Radisson RED hotel at the Waterfront is South Africa’s first high-end pet-friendly hotel.
The Damhuis, a popular restaurant in Melkbosstrand, recently introduced a pet menu. Sought-after kitchen brand, Le Creuset is will introduce a trendy pet range.
While it is easy to accommodate the needs of pet owners on large freehold properties, buyers and tenants need to be more upfront about their needs when it comes to high density, apartment areas.
Pet-friendly apartments available
Century City
In the Century City area, for example, you can find pet-friendly accommodation, but only 6 of 19 sectional schemes are suited to this.
“The apartments tend to be small at 78sqm for two beds – meaning they are fine for cats, but perhaps dog owners would be better advised to go for a home in one of the estates,” says Adrian Louw, Seeff sales manager for the area.
The pet-friendly complexes tend to restrict it to one cat or dog with only Villa Italia permitting two cats or dogs. Small caged birds though do not require permission.
Other pet-friendly complexes include The Island Club, Century View Estate and Waterstone Isles Estate.
Louw says that Century City is a fairly pet-friendly neighbourhood as there are green parks and walking paths, although dogs need to be on a leash when outdoors.
Expect to pay around R2.3m for a two-bed apartment and around R3.8m for a three-bed home in an estate.
Sea Point and surrounds
Sea Point and surrounds are also pet-friendly neighbourhoods.
The promenade is wonderful for walking dogs and playing ball with them. There are various parks and some beaches which allow dogs.
Here too, you can find pet-friendly coffee bars and restaurants such as Bootleggers. There are many services that cater for pets such as vets, dog parlours, pet stores and even doggy day-care facilities in the area, say the agents.
When it comes to choosing a flat in Sea Point, it becomes a little more challenging as there are only some that are pet-friendly such as Le Village in Oldfield Road and 23 Arthurs Road in Arthurs Road.
Expect to pay between R3.5m to R4m for a two-bed flat. The agents suggest that buyers always check the sectional scheme rules as most complexes are very particular about this and you generally need to obtain prior permission.
Pet-lovers are best advised to look at garden apartments, estates and new complexes as older apartment blocks are usually not pet-friendly, especially those on the beachfront.
Options include, The Avenues in Fresnaye where you can expect to pay R9.95m for a three-bed home in a secure complex with a communal pool, tennis and squash courts, clubhouse and a gymnasium.
The agents do find that there is a greater need for pet-friendly complexes, especially as many of their buyers are downgrading from large homes (with gardens) in Camps Bay and other Atlantic Seaboard suburbs and want to keep their pets.
Rondebosch, Rosebank and Mowbray
There are some pet-friendly complexes in the Rondebosch, Rosebank and Mowbray areas, such as Halevery Holt that allow small dogs and cats, Hermitage allows cats only, Green Park allows small dogs and cats and Newlands Court only allows cats.
Most blocks will make a provision for indoor cats, but only a limited number of complexes permit dogs.
There are, however, pet-friendly facilities around the areas such as the Liesbeek Parkway river walkway, the Rondebosch Common especially and Starke Ayres Garden Centre in Rosebank among the facilities for dogs.
The demand for pet-friendly accommodation is such that pet owners are willing to pay a premium although no premium is actually built into the listing prices of such accommodation.
You can expect to pay around R1.5m-R2.5m for apartments in the area.
Wynberg Upper
Ford King from the Wynberg Upper area says that Oakleigh Manor is freehold and hence a great choice for dog-lovers looking for a security estate.
Here, you can find a cluster home in a secure gated development with only eight units for R4.85m to R5.3m for a spacious four-bed home which is also close to top schools.
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