Restrictions on pet
ownership
Pets are allowed in most condos with certain restrictions. Often the
declaration will state that there can be only one dog or two cats per
unit and that some types of pets are prohibited.
Awfully cute but if the rules say
only one dog, then the other must go.
Some condo declarations, or rules, state that dogs must weigh less than
25 or 30
pounds.
Buying a pet
Buying a kitten is usually not a problem as house cats are practically
invisible to the other owners. However, buying a puppy can create big
problems.
If you own a dog and you move into a condo, the dog is already
house-broken and you know the dog's temperament and if he will easily
adopt to condo living. Buying a puppy and bringing it into a condo may
be more problematic, especially if no one will be home with the dog for
long periods during the day.
New puppies need to be house-broken. That takes time and a lot of
thought and effort.
Some pet stores sell Wee-Wee Pads to help with house-training or even
as a substitute for taking the dog out for twice a day walks.
The puppy also needs a good temperament and cannot bark unceasingly
when left alone or when anyone walks by the unit in the hallway.
If the condo has rules that state dogs must be under a certain size,
then you need to insure your new puppy will not exceed that weight
limit when it reaches maturity.
These are things you need to consider before buying a young pup.
Rules
Some condos demand that all pets be kept on a leach when it is in the
common areas and that dogs cannot enter or leave the condo by the front
lobby but must use a side entrance. Pets may be barred from some common
areas. Most condos have different rules which are added to as they go
along.
Poop and scoop rules need to be followed. That is extremely important.
Nuisance and
dangerous pets
No matter how pet-friendly it is, a condo community does not have to
endure a dog that runs loose, a dog that barks excessively, a dog who’s
owner will not poop and scoop, a dog that relieves itself in the
hallways, elevators staircases or lobby, or a dog that is deemed to be
a menace to other residents.
If the board determines that a pet is a nuisance, the owner will be
given ten days to remove the animal from the property.
This always comes as a shock to the animal owner as many consider their
dog as a member of their family and they can’t bear the thought of
giving the animal up.
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