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Currently, and for some time, our coop has not allowed dogs.
However, as a board member, I think it may be time to change that.
Any advice, experience, suggestions, anecdotes, success/horror stories?
My building set up a fund for dog owners, where dog owners pay a fee of $250.00 per dog and that money is set aside for any damages or accidents that might happen. It seems to be working. They also have to use the service elevator to transport the dog to/from the apartment.
Upper Eastside Cooperative building.
James: We have a no-dogs policy in my coop but Anonymous's policy to have dog owners pay $250 to be used for damage/accidents caused by dogs sounds good. Anonymous also requires dogs to be transported via the service elevator but if you have no service elevator dogs are a problem for residents who are afraid of them or worry about being bitten in the confines of an elevator.
Dogs also make noise. I also have a condo apt. The people next door have two dogs that bark and howl every time the owners go out and don't stop until they return. The people above have bare floors and a dog that runs constantly. The people below have a dog that they lock in the kitchen when they go to work or out anywhere. It barks a lot when left alone and the noise travels through the vent.
James, dogs are great pets but you might want to stick to your no-dogs rule, especially if you have a small building or your residents are used to not having the issues dogs can bring. Just my opinion.
The benefits of allowing dogs are many. Let alone the benefits to the dog owner, many people like seeing dogs and petting them even if they don't own one. They also like the security of a dog -- neighbors have told me that since my dog doen't bark unless a "stranger" is in the corridor, she's like a watchdog for all of us. We have only one elevator but if a person is frightened of the dog in the elevator with them, the dog owner should have the courtesy to wait for the next elevator, or if the dog is small enough, to pick up & carry the dog. Dogs should "sit" in the elevator and always be on a leash in the common areas of the building, and not be walked to do their business on the building's property, or if the pet has an accident it's the owner's duty to clean it up immediately.
I recommend a lmit on the number of dogs a resident may have at one time, and if you have two entrances to the building, that people use the back or side entrance with their dogs as that might mollify the naysayers. Go for it, and enjoy those dogs!
As a dweller in a small co-op, where we only have one door in and out, I have another perspective on opening up the building to dogs: think in terms of pets in general and set a limit. Really--two dogs in one unit can be very different than one in terms of potential barking problems. Set a size and--this is going to be controversial--prohibit breeds that are deemed dangerous. A good way to find that out is see which breeds home insurance policies will not cover. Also require insurance policies that will cover dangerous breeds if you are going to allow them. Make sure you write very specific house rules and prop rule changes to cover pets. Don't assume all pet owners are conscientious, respectful and have the same standards for cleanliness that you might have with regard to your dog and the building. You may also consider prohibiting "pet clothing" and bedding in laundry machines. We have had to deal with pet hairs all over machines, dogs "blankies" need to be washed! For people with allergies this is really rude. Really try to imagine the worst case scenarios! Good luck!
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Here's a good place to start:
http://www.habitatmag.com/publication_content/habitat_s_purchasing_primer_news_for_new_buyers/kitties_n_canines
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