Ask Habitat: How Can Our Board Revise the Pet Policy So It's Fair for Everybody?

HABITAT ANSWERS: Good news! There are definitely ways to broker a peace between dog owners and those who are complaining about them.

First things first, no matter what, you should require proof of city licensing and vaccinations for canine inhabitants and make sure they have collars bearing the name and contact information of their owners.

To develop a comprehensive and effective pet policy for your co-op or condo, there are a series of questions you should ask of yourself and your board. The answers will guide you in shaping the new rules. Do you want to:

• limit the number of pets? Some animals behave better in pairs, and a shareholder with two dogs is probably better than a shareholder with a dozen cats.
• fine pet owners when common areas or sidewalks are soiled? Fines don't always work. How many offenses will you allow before taking more drastic action, and what will that action be?
• require that animals be spayed or neutered? You can make exceptions for dogs that are too old or sick for surgery.
• require an escrow deposit from pet owners? A "security deposit" to be returned after a set period of time can give pet owners an incentive to follow the rules.
• specify that pets must be leashed in all common areas? 
• specify "pet-only" laundry machines for fur-and-dander-infused clothes? This may be extreme in the absence of seriously allergic residents, but it is an option.
• require proof of obedience training? This is another measure that might be considered extreme or onerous by pet owners, so tread carefully.

Issues of noise and smell are generally covered under proprietary leases' habitability clauses or condo house rules. Pets may make noise sometimes, but not incessantly. Set some reasonable limits and apply the same sense of balance you would with someone who turns the TV up too loud.

The Humane Society of the United States offers a set of policy recommendations for property managers and landlords on its website. It's a good starting point for a document that you can adapt to your specific needs.

Rules can be enforced assertively without being authoritarian; that's a good general observation and even more important when you're dealing with the deep emotional bonds that form with a family pet.

The critical thing to remember is that you're setting policy for the people with whom you live and not looking to punish all the bad apples elsewhere. Draconian crackdowns on pet infractions may prove counterproductive in the end.

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