Most condos in south Florida, home to many thousands of people, are negatively affected by outdated no-pet rules. Such deed restrictions are the bane of all common interest ownership communities, including not only condominiums, but also home owner associations, co-operatives and trailer parks. Retirees gravitate to these communities as an affordable way to live, but many are heartbroken about having to give up family pets to be able to move in. In a country where almost 65 percent of households have at least one companion animal (ASPCA statistics), it is difficult to understand why no-pet rules are so pervasive in south Florida or how the situation ever got so bad. No-pet deed restrictions are a lose-lose situation for the people who crave the companionship of a pet and for the many homeless animals who need placement.
We want to turn that around. Instead of having deed restrictions against pets, we support having pet owners sign an agreement that they will pay for any damage or cleanup for their pets, along with clear and reasonable guidelines for pet owners, so that other unit owners are not disturbed.
When you really think about it, pets are not the problem. Irresponsible owners/guardians are the problem. It is not the dogs who fail to use a plastic bag or pooper scooper to clean up the poop. It is not the dogs who leave doors and screens open so that barking becomes a problem even in condos with thick concrete walls.
It is sad that a few irresponsible people can "ruin it" for everyone else. We are starting to see some success stories as activist groups work to educate people about being more conscientious animal guardians. For instance, the City of Miami Beach, is allowing dogs back on the board walk due to the dedicated educational campaigns where volunteers hand out plastic bags and remind people to pick up after their dogs.
Our web site,
www.petsincondos.org has a link to our petition to allow pets in privately owned homes. The web page also has a wealth of information on the positive reasons to have companion animals for your health. It also has some legal information, stories and letters, sample condo guidelines, and this list of reasons why change is needed:1)
Pet rules generally discriminate against seniors, which violates the intent of federal law. It is wrong to decide before the fact that seniors are unable or unwilling to properly care for pets.2)
There are numerous ways pets have been shown to help keep their owners healthier.3)
Pet rules are now unevenly enforced. Dog owners are discriminated against more often than cat owners. Dogs can actually help prevent robberies.4)
It is a fact that, in spite of these pet rules, many people keep and hide pets in their privately owned dwellings. This fact implies that a lot of people would be relieved if pet rules were "lightened."5)
Condo associations would have less expense fining and prosecuting people with pets.6)
People who don’t want pets around might be willing to bend if they knew that the law still required responsible pet ownership and that their community and peace would be unharmed.7) Rules regarding pet ownership in condos and HOA-governed housing areas should be in line with rules in the city and state of residence. As long as other co-owners/co-residents are not adversely affected, any home owner should have no more and no fewer restrictions than others in the larger community.
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For every person who is denied the ability to keep a pet, |
Citizens for Pets in Condos,
www.petsincondos.org