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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