Reasonable Pet Guidelines
for Common Interest Ownership Communities
(Condos, HOAs, Co-ops and Trailer Parks)
See also How to Amend Your Association Bylaws to Allow Pets
NOTE: Citizens for Pets in Condos does NOT endorse weight or breed limits.
Other factors, such as temperament, basic obedience
training and guardian/owner taking responsibility
have been found to be better
indicators of how a dog will fit into a particular setting.*
In order to eliminate no-pet deed restrictions we must create a framework for allowing pets while at the same time
reducing pet nuisance issues
and allowing all members of the communithy to live together in peace.
Here are some examples and discussions on how to create pet rules that work.
Doris Day Animal League, HSUS, ASPCA and other animal welfare organizations recommend pet committees to administer pet rules.
Read more HERE.
*NEW* sample Dog Owners Etiquette Policy
Our Suggested Pet Guidelines modelled from Open Door Miami
HSUS resources on how a pets allowed policy can work:
How to address the top 8 concerns related to allowing pets
Thirteen steps to developing a pets welcome strategy
Recommended pet policies for condominiums and apartment buildings
See also: Resolving Pet Nuisance Issues
A Real Example of Working Pet Rules
*
An example of cat guidelines
Keeping pets in private retirement and sheltered housing, a Good Practice Guide (UK) - some sensible advice from Great Britain. One of the things they suggest is forming pet owner committees.
*Citizens for Pets in Condos does NOT recommend restricting dog size. Other factors, such as temperament, basic obedience training and guardian/owner taking responsibility have been found to be better indicators of how a dog will fit into a particular setting.
Jon Busch, commented on our petition: "The pet weight limit for most condo association is too low. It should be increaded to 40 pounds! The standard 15 pound limit eleminates 90% of dogs." Even a forty pound limit is excessive, if you are being responsible with your animal and it is well-behaved. Instead of weight and breed limits, we recommend getting a letter from a veterinarian or other pet behavior expert to testify that a dog will fit into the environment.