The number that surprises landlords
A survey of 2,000 active Facebook renters in early 2026 showed that 43% are looking for an apartment with a pet. Most landlords automatically write "no pets" - and cut themselves out of half the market. The question isn't whether to allow, but how to manage it.
Three possible approaches
- No pets at all - filters out 43% of inquiries. Rental delayed 2-3 weeks on average.
- Cats only - allows half the renters with a pet. Low wear risk.
- Cats and small dogs - allows 35% of renters with a pet. Risk is mostly measured in dog weight.
How to phrase it in the listing
Don't just write "pet friendly." That invites everything, including iguanas. Be specific: "One neutered cat or dog up to 15kg allowed. Large dogs, reptiles, exotic animals not allowed." The renter immediately knows if they're relevant.
Extra deposit - yes or no
Israel has no clear norm. The common approach is to ask for an additional deposit of one month's rent for a pet. This filters out non-serious renters and covers carpet cleaning at lease end. Don't write it in the listing - discuss only after you've found a serious candidate.
What to check before agreeing
- How old is the pet? A puppy brings chewing damage, an old dog brings accidents.
- Is the pet vaccinated and spayed/neutered? Ask for the paperwork.
- How many hours is the pet alone? A dog alone 10 hours a day means barking and HOA complaints.
- How does the renter handle shedding? If they don't clean, the cleaning cost lands on you.
Where to find pet renters
Beyond regular real estate groups, there are dedicated Facebook groups for pet owners looking for rentals. Your demand there is gold - renters who know it's hard to find housing and are willing to pay more. The catch: there are 25-30 such groups by region, and manually posting to all takes 3 hours a day.
How BuzzPost helps
BuzzPost schedules the same listing across 15-30 groups at a human pace, rotates the order, and sends a screenshot to Telegram. The software auto-pauses for 120 minutes when Facebook flags rate-limit. It does not write the listing - you provide text and photos. We recommend running one licence with a general group list and a second with pet-owner groups, so the listings don't clash. Pricing: ₪249 for the first licence, ₪200 each additional. One licence = one Facebook account you own.