No Bones About It: How to Prep Your Property for Amazon’s Pet Days

Whether residents’ pets have paws, claws, or talons, there’s something for everyone at Amazon’s Pet Sale. The sale, unlike other big blowouts such as Amazon Prime Day, is open to all consumers, whether or not they’re members. This means property managers should expect an onslaught of packages for pet-owning residents, especially with fast, free delivery on most items.

This blog covers the information you need to know about this year’s sale as well as how to prepare your property to prevent package pileups.

What Property Managers Need to Know: The Sale That Refuses to Roll Over

Running from Monday, May 11 at 12 AM PST until Friday, May 15 at 11:59 PM PST, Amazon’s Pet Days is the longest sale in its five-year history. Originally a 24-hour event in 2022, it ran for 48 hours from 2023 to 2025, culminating this year in 5 days of deals. This year’s sale also coincides with National Pet Month.

Amazon views this event as the “purr-fect” time for shoppers to load up on pet food, treats, toys, beds, healthcare and grooming products, accessories, and supplements. Shoppers agree: in 2024 alone, Amazon saw a 4.8% year-over-year increase in overall sales.¹ “Customers love fast delivery, and the faster we deliver, the more often customers come back,” said Sarah Mathew, a vice president for delivery experience at Amazon.²

The Perks of Policies & Protections for Pet-Owning Residents

The number of residents with pets is multiplying like rabbits. Research from animal-welfare organizations finds that about 72% of renters already have pets, with some organizations reporting a figure as high as 90%.³ Another national survey of renters saw more than half of current non-pet-owning residents planning to get one within the year.⁴ The message is clear: a pet-friendly property is not a niche offering. It is a competitive necessity. Pet friendliness should also extend to protecting pet owners’ package deliveries.

The numbers make a good argument for leaning into pet-friendly policies and protections. Residents in pet-friendly housing stay about 21% longer than those in non-pet-friendly buildings, translating to roughly 10 additional months of residency on average. Meanwhile, 83% of owners and operators report that pet-friendly vacancies fill faster, and nearly 80% say those units are easier to lease.⁵ Pets are not just beloved family members. For multifamily operators, these retention and leasing strategies have been right under your nose, waiting to be used.

Don’t Let the Tail Wag the Dog: Preparing for the Pet Days Package Influx

Evaluate and Optimize Your Package System

Before Pet Days purchases begin arriving, review and strengthen your package management process. Consider implementing smart lockers to reduce staff workload while giving residents the convenient 24/7 access they expect. Plan for oversized items, whether that is a jumbo dog bed, a cat tree, or a deluxe bird cage, and communicate clearly with residents when certain deliveries may require assistance for retrieval.

Communicate Early and Often

Send proactive notifications about package retrieval procedures before the sale even begins, including identification requirements and pickup timelines. For communities using Parcel Pending lockers, remind residents about potential late fees, how to activate Vacation Mode during absences, and protocols for handling oversized deliveries. A well-informed resident is a happy one, and a happy resident renews.

Staff Strategically for Peak Periods

Higher package volumes require a higher level of readiness. Consider additional staffing during the heaviest delivery windows and implement a strict no-grace-period pickup policy immediately following the sale to prevent packages from accumulating in common areas. The last thing your lobby needs is a pet store stockroom look.

Smart Parcel Lockers: A Permanent Solution for Package Management

Whether you’re planning for Pet Days or another major holiday push, smart parcel lockers from Parcel Pending by Quadient deliver more efficiency for your staff, more convenience for your residents, and more security for your community.

Give Your Staff a New Trick: More Time for What Matters

Package management has long consumed a disproportionate share of staff time and energy. Parcel Pending automates the entire process from acceptance through storage to retrieval, freeing your team to focus on higher-value tasks like leasing, resident engagement, and property upkeep. Communities implementing these systems report saving approximately 24 staff hours per week, a measurable and meaningful reduction in operational costs.

Around the Clock, Not Just Around the Block

With 24/7/365 access, smart parcel lockers eliminate the everyday frustrations of package delivery. Residents no longer need to rush home or rearrange their schedules to secure a delivery. This around-the-clock accessibility has moved well beyond amenity status. In today’s competitive multifamily market, it is an expected standard.

No More Porch Pirates Stealing Your Residents’ Kibble

The growing threat of package theft creates ongoing anxiety for multifamily communities, and pet supply deliveries are no exception. Smart parcel lockers tackle the problem head-on with steel construction, photo documentation for each drop-off and collection, and secure access technology. When a package arrives, residents receive an instant email, text, and/or app notification and can pick it up at their convenience. The result is a theft-proof system that gives residents genuine peace of mind, no guard dog required.

The Renewal Rate That Will Have You Wagging Your Tail

Perhaps the most compelling return on investment shows up at renewal time. The connection between resident satisfaction and lease renewal decisions is well documented, and the security and convenience of smart lockers meaningfully elevate the resident experience. Some properties have reported increases in renewal rates of up to 40% following installation, making smart lockers one of the shrewdest long-term investments a property can make.

---

With online shopping and same-day delivery showing no signs of slowing down, the package management challenge is not going away. Investing now in smart lockers is the surest strategy for lifting retention, reducing operational burden, and keeping both residents and their pets happily at home.

Ready to lock in your property’s package management solution? Contact a Parcel Pending representative today.

Sources:

1. Berthiaume, Dan. Amazon brings back Pet Days – for three extra days. chainstoreage.com. April 21, 2026. https://chainstoreage.com/amazon-brings-back-pet-days-three-extra-days
2. Holman, Jordyn. You Want That Gift to Arrive Today? This Is What It Takes. www.nytimes.com. December 3, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/business/amazon-same-day-delivery.html
3. Humane World for Animals. How landlords can boost rental income by accepting pets. www.humaneworld.org. n.d. https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/how-landlords-can-boost-rental
4. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pet-Friendly Housing and Renters. www.aspca.org. n.d. https://www.aspca.org/improving-laws-animals/public-policy/housing/pet-friendly-housing-and-renters
5. Bellack, Judy. Vacancies, Concessions…and a Waiting List of Pets: Why Now is the Moment to Go Truly Pet-Inclusive. www.multifamilyinsiders.com. January 8, 2026. https://www.multifamilyinsiders.com/multifamily-blogs/vacancies-concessions-and-a-waiting-list-of-pets-why-now-is-the-moment-to-go-truly-pet-inclusive