Prescription Pets

“Common Ground,” July August 2007, p. 16

A Florida retiree isn’t giving up his quest to make it easier for condominium owners to keep pets in spite of the association’s no-pet rules.

David Shapiro, vice president of Citizens for Pets in Condos, said he was disappointed that the state legislature failed to enact a bill this spring that would have allowed condominium and homeowners associations to accept pets when doctors say they are necessary. However, the group is focusing its efforts on a petition drive to push for legislation again next year. It has 14, 000 signatures so far.

“Our organization is not saying people should just be allowed to have pets,” Shapiro said. “We are calling for responsible pet ownership.”

He said he understands that many residents don’t want dogs that are constantly barking or pets that foul the common area, and he supports rules that require owners to be responsible for their pets.

Gary Poliakoff, whose Fort Lauderdale law firm represents 4,500 association in Florida, said he gets one of two letters a month from doctors saying their patients need a dog or cat to help them recover from a heart attack or depression.

In the case of one association, one unit owner has a doctor’s letter stating that she needs an emotional support animal, while another has a doctor’s letter stating that because of allergies, his health will be adversely affected if the pets stay.

“We’re trying to decide whether to step aside and let them fight it out,” Poliakoff said. “Ultimately, the court has to decide how to balance these needs.”