Condo owners fight no-pet policy
Nanette Gordon lives in an East Boca condo with a no-pet policy that she finds quite absurd. She now sits on the board of directors for Citizens for Pets in Condos, a Tamarac-based group seeking to change association polices prohibiting pet ownership.
“The health benefits, both physical and mental, of owning a pet cannot be disputed. Because of a minority of irresponsible pet owners, we all have to suffer,” she said. Gordon’s health benefit argument was bolstered recently when Humana Insurance came on board and partnered with the grassroots organization.
"At Humana, we're dedicated to providing guidance to our members when they need it most, and in many cases that can be when folks would benefit from the companionship and affection a pet can provide," said Humana Florida Senior Products CEO Michael Seltzer.
Gordon said the rationale against pet ownership typically centers on noise or neglectful owners not picking up waste.
“I can understand fines for irresponsible owners, but a total ban makes no sense. Also, I want cats, and I really don’t understand what harm a small, indoor animal causes any neighbors,” she said.
The argument for pet ownership is not based solely on the owner, but advocates also note the benefit to the animal population.
“Not only do we help responsible pet owners and guardians keep their companion animals, but we also do our part to reduce the huge number of perfectly adoptable animals who die needlessly in shelters each day,” said Maida Genser, president of Citizens for Pets in Condos.
Gordon drew parallels between other community restrictions that do not result in prohibition of any kind.
“If a neighbor has a loud party or parks in an assigned space, do we ban gatherings and parking? No we don’t. We should certainly fine owners that do not pick up waste or whose pets are a nuisance, but banning it entirely makes no sense,” she said. For more information, visit www.petsincondos.org.
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I HAVE A 5 IL. CHIWAWA CHANEL SHE IS MY LIFE IF THEY MAKE ME GIVE HER UP ILL DIE PLEASE HELP ME
Posted by: VINNIEBUFFOLINO | June 16, 2009 2:00 PM
Hello, I have a similar situation up here in B.C. Canada with our townhouse and strata council. Do you know of any statistical information about how allowing/disallowing pets affects the sale timing and pricing of strata properties?
My guess is that not allowing pets directly affects the price that sellers receive for their properties. Even die-hard anti-pet people may change their minds if there is info out there that not allowing pets will drop the price that they get for their property when they sell and/or causes it to take longer to sell.
If you know of any info like that, in any area, any market, please let me know.
Thanks and good luck!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | August 21, 2009 4:47 PM
My parents bought the last remaining condo (model) in Jupiter, FL back in the 1980's. At that time, pets were allowed. Somewhere along the line, the new Board decided that this was no longer an option. Since then they overturned the By-Laws that were in effect and changed the ruling to no pets. My parents have since passed away and the condo came to me. I took my dog down one day and knowing that no pets were allowed, I did not have her walk on the grounds but put her in a carrier when it was time for her to do her business and drive her to the nearest park - three times daily. No one has ever complained. The last time I was down visiting (and I only go down for a few days at a time) my neighbor complained to management and I was sent a letter saying that if I brought down the dog again they would get their attorneys involved. Under much duress, I recently put my home up for sale and put an outrageous price on it so it wouldn't get sold in the hopes that your organization will somehow prevail. I would like to be involved in order that I may monitor the progress of this fine group and to help in any way I can. Thank you for the wonderful things you are trying to do. Arlene de Taranto
Posted by: Arlene de Taranto | November 5, 2009 6:17 PM