Willow Glen Resident

Community

Urban project targets pets for high-density living

By Mary Gottschalk

While many apartment houses and condominium developments have a strict "no pets allowed" rule, that's not the case with Axis.

The new 22-story residential tower next to the historic Hotel De Anza in San Jose, is putting out the welcome mat big time for pet owners with a special open house it's calling Pet Axis on March 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.

"We're introducing urban living to San Jose with Axis," says Sarah Fiske of Chase Communications in San Francisco, which is handling publicity for the development.

"Pets are allowed," she says, "so we're going to take pets around the model homes to show what you can do having a pet indoors in San Jose."

In addition to showing off model units, Fiske says it is offering a walking tour of nearby pet-friendly attractions, including the De Anza and Guadalupe River Park & Gardens.

Guides will also hand out copies of "City Pet: Guide for Downtown High-Rise Living for Pets and Their Owners," which, Fiske says, has been created in conjunction with Humane Society Silicon Valley.

The "Top 10 Tips for Urban Pet Owners" offers basic, practical advice, more aimed at dog owners than cat fanciers.

Topics include choosing the right breed, keeping your dog active and healthy and etiquette training.

Angeline Siegel, director of the Humane Society's medical center, training and nutrition programs, developed the list for Axis.

"We applauded their idea that they were thinking like this, that pet owners could make wonderful tenants and that they could make the environment more pet-friendly," Siegel says.

"Here in California we're running out of land, so it's going up. People are going to have companions and pets, and we're giving them ideas to think about, to take into consideration the facilities they're living in or if they're moving in."

What the tips do not address is what the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals calls high-rise syndrome, which refers to cats and small dogs falling out of high-rise windows and balconies. Many die on impact, and those that survive do so only after extensive treatment.

In New York City, the ASPCA estimates there are at least five animals a week brought into animal hospitals when the weather is warm and windows are left open. They don't list statistics on animals that are killed from the falls.

The ASPCA recommends installation of "snug and sturdy screens" on all windows as well as deck netting or wire mesh on balconies as preventive measures.

Each unit in Axis has a balcony, Fiske says and the website describes the balconies as glass-walled.

However, the ASPCA report points out that cats "seem to have little fear of heights and enjoy perching in high places." It's believed that the cats that do fall did not jump, but most likely lost their balance when focusing on something like a bird or insect.

However, Siegel says high-rise syndrome "is not something I'm worried about. The frequency doesn't happen nearly as much here on the West Coast. In San Francisco, where there are much denser high-rises, there is a higher frequency."

Eventually residents living in the 329 units at Axis will decide on rules, but for now, developers Spring Capital Group and KT Properties are saying that each residence is limited to two pets--one dog and one cat, two dogs or two cats.

There are no limitations on sizes, but not allowed are Rottweilers, pit bulls, mastiffs, Presa Canarias and fighting breeds or mixes.

Pet owners are not the only demographic that Axis developers are courting.

While Pet Axis is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on the 15th, a home buying seminar for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is scheduled at 10 a.m. on the same day.

Units in Axis range from 655-square-foot studios to six penthouses, which are 1,863 square feet each.

Prices, Fiske says, range from half a million dollars to more than $2 million.

Pet Axis will take place from 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at the Axis Presentation Center, 38 N. Almaden Blvd., next to the Hotel De Anza, off W. Santa Clara Street. In addition to tours of the high-rise development there will be a "Downtown Doggie" and "City Kitty" contest with prizes from Andy's Pet Shop on The Alameda. For additional information visit www.axissanjose.com or call 408.297.9888.