INTRODUCTION
This policy establishes the rules and conditions under which a pet may be kept in Pledge Property Management, Inc. (“PPM”) residential apartments or its managed properties. The primary purpose of these rules is to establish reasonable requirements for the keeping of common household pets to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary environment for existing and prospective residents, PPM employees, and the public, and to preserve the physical condition of PPM property. Under 2003 Title 24 CFR §960.705, this policy does not apply to Assistive Animals that reside in public housing or that visit Pledge Property Management, Inc. It does not limit or impair the rights of persons with disabilities or affect any authority PPM has under other legal provisions to regulate animals that assist persons with disabilities.
Individual developments may designate selected common areas as no-pet areas, provided that rules governing these areas are reasonable and do not conflict with any Federal, State, or local law or regulation governing the owning and keeping of pets in dwelling accommodations (apartments), and the essential terms of this policy.
Violations of this policy shall be considered a violation of a material term of your lease. The PPM manager may require the removal of a pet upon violation of these rules or may commence eviction procedures. The appeal procedures that apply to other eviction actions, including the right to a grievance hearing, shall apply to violations of these rules.
Residents shall report any animal found outdoors or in common areas without a proper license, tags, and restraint to the animal control unit or other applicable authority for its removal.
DEFINITIONS
Pet – a domesticated animal of a species that is commonly kept as a household pet in the community. A cat, dog, or canary is an example of a domesticated animal that is commonly kept as a household pet. A monkey, snake, or spider is an example of an animal not commonly kept as a household pet in the community.
Assistive Animal – an animal which in the opinion of a treating professional provides assistance, service, or support to a person with disabilities and which is needed as a reasonable accommodation to such individual with disabilities.
TYPES AND NUMBER OF PETS ALLOWED
A maximum of two pets: a cat or a dog, or a fish tank not to exceed 20 gallons will be allowed unless the owner grants permission to allow more pets. Residents who own more than the number of pets permitted at the time this policy is implemented may keep those pets as long as they are kept in compliance with a preexisting pet policy for their property. This exception applies only to the currently owned pets; therefore when one currently-owned pet leaves the household, the resident may not replace the pet but must comply with the new policy.
Only domesticated, common household pets will be allowed. Pets of vicious or aggressive disposition deemed by management to be potentially harmful to the health and safety of others are prohibited.
Livestock, poisonous reptiles, amphibians or fish, rodents including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs or gerbils, snakes, birds of prey, insects, and arachnids are strictly prohibited.
PET OWNERSHIP RULES
* NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS & APPLICANTS: Everyone must complete the screening process. This is not only for pet and animal owners but also for residents and applicants who DO NOT own a pet or animal.
All residents must apply online at https://pledge.petscreening.com to acknowledge our pet policies. No fee will be charged to applicants without pets. The resident shall provide in this application: (a) an identifying description of the pet accompanied by two photographs, (b) certificates of spaying or neutering of dogs and cats and the inoculations required by law, (c) in the case of a dog, a copy of the current license required by law, (d) the name and phone number of two contact persons who can be called upon to care for the pet in an emergency, (e) “monthly pet fee is required for the first pet and another monthly fee for each additional pet residing in the dwelling to be paid with the rent. There may be additional fees based on the scores from your pet profile on Petscreening.com. (f) A resident who wishes to keep a currently owned pet must provide the information listed above if he or she was not previously required to do so. No pet ownership fee will be required of residents who are registering currently owned pet(s) that comply with any development pet policy.
The resident shall be responsible for proper care, including but not limited to flea control, yearly inoculations (certifications of which must be presented to PPM), and compliance with all applicable state and federal statutes, city ordinances, and all authority rules and regulations.
The resident shall keep the apartment and surrounding areas free of pet odors, insect infestation, waste, and litter and maintain the apartment in a sanitary condition at all times.
The resident shall be responsible for cleaning up after their pet anywhere on PPM property or its managed property including carrying a “pooper scooper” and disposable plastic bag any time the pet is outside the apartment. Pet waste shall be bagged and disposed of in appropriate trash receptacles. Pet waste or pet litter shall not be deposited in the toilet.
The resident shall keep his/her pet inside the apartment at all times except for transportation on and off PPM property and daily walks. When outside the apartment, dogs must be controlled on a leash. Other pets shall be in suitable portable cages when outside the apartment. No animal shall be tied or chained outside the apartment. Identifying tags shall be required in addition to a license, rabies vaccination, and any other tag required by law.
The resident shall pay promptly, upon receipt of a bill, for the cost of all materials and labor for the repair of any damage caused by their pet.
The resident shall be responsible for any pet-related insect infestation and shall pay promptly, upon receipt of the bill, for all materials and labor used for necessary extermination.
No pet is to remain unattended without proper care. The resident shall designate one or more persons as an emergency contact who can tend to the pet if the resident is unable to do so. In instances where a pet appears to have been abandoned for more than 24 hours, and an emergency contact cannot be located, PPM shall report the matter to the Connecticut Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or other applicable authorities for its removal. If necessary, PPM may enter the apartment, as in an emergency, to rescue the animal.
The resident shall be responsible for ensuring that the rights of other residents to quiet enjoyment, health, and safety are not infringed upon or diminished by his/her pet’s noise, odors, waste, or other nuisance.
The resident will be fined for violating the pet policy, $250 initially plus an additional $10 for each day after that that the violation exists.
The resident shall be responsible for disposing of pet remains per Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
A copy of these rules shall be given to every resident who registers a pet, and additional copies will be available at the PPM office.
The PPM manager shall be responsible for maintaining records required by this policy including all pertinent pet-related information and documents supplied by residents, periodic unit inspections, investigation of pet complaints, billing for damages caused by pets, and scheduling of repairs required because of pet action.
All complaints by other residents or PPM personnel regarding pets shall be referred to the PPM property manager.
These rules may be amended from time to time by the PPM according to PPM policy and in compliance with all relevant statutes and regulations.
Residents are prohibited from feeding or harboring stray animals. Feeding or harboring a stray animal shall constitute keeping an animal without the approval of the PPM.
Residents shall not alter their apartment, patio, or other areas on PPM property to create an enclosure for a pet.
Residents shall not install bird feeders or feeders of any type without written approval from PPM.
DETERMINATION OF NO-PET ZONES
Individual developments may establish reasonable no-pet zones in areas such as playgrounds or other common areas with the approval of the PPM manager, resident task force, and Regional Manager. PPM shall post such areas as no-pet zones.
INSURANCE
The resident must have general liability insurance without exclusion for pets.