Pets in Condos: Why Not?

Not too long ago I received a note from a woman in Florida asking if I knew about the restrictions condos put on people having pets. I had to admit that I don't.

She shared some great information that I thought I'd pass along.

You can visit Citizens for Pets in Condos for more details. I recommend it.

Companion animals are more than "pets" - those of us who treasure or relationships with our dogs and cats (and other pets, too), will tell you that our lives are richer and fuller because of the dog or cat or both. I know that the Grumpy Old Lady, AKA Wabby Wibby, is my dear baby. She is 18 ...or near to 18... and I love just sitting with her, listening to her purr, and knowing that she loves me back. It's more than comforting - her affection helps me relax and slow down, on really busy days.

So, why would a condo refuse to allow me to bring her...if I were to move? What if Carmie was still here? What happens when Tom and I get a new dog, or dogs... if we decide to move to a condo, will we spend weeks or months trying to find one that allows pets?

No pets is unacceptable! At Pets in Condos, they have information on the health benefits of pets and on legal info. I was especially impressed with the "Research about Pets and the Elderly" link. It touts pets as a way to reduce the risk of heart disease. Honestly, just look at this picture - he's waiting for a belly rub. And, it will make the person giving it as happy as it will make him.

The good folks in Florida are doing what they can to combat the idea that pets are destructive and messy. Maybe some are, but responsible pet owners (the majority of pet owners, I think), take good care of their pets. That means keeping them clean, keeping the home they live in clean, walking them, training them to behave, and loving them. As their brochure says, "You should have the right to choose the way you want to live inside your own home. Your home is your castle. People just need to be responsible and make an effort to not disturb their neighbors. Let's all get along."

There you have it - "Let's all get along." Pets provide so much value - healthwise, exercise-wise, and emotionally, that condos and townhomes - even apartments - need to start thinking about the benefits pets provide us, and less about the issues. Clear rules need to be developed. Instead of allowing a few bad apples spoil the barrel, HOAs need to allow the pet owners to create ways to resolve issues, so the good apples can blossom and grow.

Up with pets in homes everywhere! Help the Pets in Condos folks - buy a T-shirt in support.

Comments

[AmazonCares]

I agree this is an important issue, especially in today's economy when people are downsizing. I always want to shed light on the large numbre of apartment complexes with pet restrictions of absurdly high pet fees. At my former apartment I paif $400 PLUS a pet deposit to keep my dog. I couldn't dream of getting another pet at that price, plus the expenses of caring for a new pet. If apartments would lower these fees I bet we'd see a lot less pet relinquishment.

[caren gittleman]

I live in a condo/apt community in Michigan. Some of the units are condos (which obviously are owned) some are apartment rentals.

We own our condo. We are on the 2nd floor which was AWFUL when we were housebreaking our Sheltie. It was great exercise but awful, awful, awful for housetraining.

We are only permitted two pets (that goes for those in condos as well as the apartments). I would love another cat and my husband would love another dog...unless we win the lottery and move it isn't going to happen.

[Celia]

We own a condo here in WI, and are limited to two pets. That is all it says in our condo association by-laws, which is ridiculous. Do they mean 2 dogs? 1 dog and 1 cat? 2 goldfish in a tank? 2 hermit crabs? It's all non-sense. If you own a home, you should be able to own whatever pet you deem appropriate.

[Pamela]

I agree that well-behaved people should be allowed to have pets in their homes. Unfortunately, there are some amazingly irresponsible people out there ruining things for all of us.

Maybe the best thing would be for condo associations to create a set of guidelines--like a requirement that dogs pass their Canine Good Citizen Test. That would give responsible owners a chance to demonstrate their dog's good behavior. And folks who've never done training might be turned to a new way of bonding with their dog (and improving behavior at the same time).