Pet Policy Agreement

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Policy:
Little River Housing Communities (LRHC), as required by Section 526 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA), will permit public housing residents to have a pet within the following conditions and guidelines.

Only common household pets will be approved by LRHC for ownership and maintenance. Common household pets are defined for purposes of the Authority's Pet Policy as follows: Dogs, Cats, Birds, Fish, Guinea Pigs, Gerbils, Hamsters, and other small, domesticated animals which are approved at the discretion of the Authority. Notwithstanding this list, birds of prey (e.g. eagles, hawks, falcons), pigeons, chickens, roosters and reptiles (except turtles) shall not qualify as common household pets under this policy.

Pet Ownership Rules:
A resident may own one or more common household pets or have one or more common household pets present in the dwelling unit of such resident, subject to the following conditions:

1. Each head of household may own up to the limit of pets under the LRHC policy. LRHC shall only allow one 4-legged pet per household.
2. If the pet is a dog or cat, it must be neutered/spayed. The evidence can be provided by a statement/bill from a veterinarian or certified on LRHC Form #78. Evidence must be provided prior to the execution of this agreement.
3. A color photo and identifying description of the pet must be provided.
4. Two alternate caretakers, their names, address and telephone numbers, who will assume immediate responsibility for the care of the pet should the owner become incapacitated.
5. A pet deposit of $200.00 is required of each pet owner. The amount may be payable over a three-month period, with the first payment due at the time of signing the lease. This payment will be implemented as a security deposit. The deposit will be refunded at the time the tenant vacates the unit or no longer has ownership of the pet, provided that no pet-related damage has been done to the property. Sums necessary to repair such damage will be deducted from the deposit. There is no pet deposit required for fish or birds.
6. There is no pet deposit required for fish or birds. In the case of birds, a maximum of two birds may be permitted. There shall be no limit as to the number of fish, but no more than one aquarium with a maximum capacity of 25 gallons shall be permitted. Rodents other than hamsters, gerbils, rats or mice are not common household pets. Reptiles other than turtles are not common household pets.
7. A personal liability insurance policy is strongly recommended by the LRHC for all pet owners.
8. If a pet housed in one of the Authority's units gives birth to a litter, the resident pet owner shall remove from the premises all said pets except the pet that was already registered and added to the lease by signing this policy.
9. Residents must provide waterproof and leak proof litter boxes for cat waste, which must be kept inside the dwelling unit. Cardboard boxes are not acceptable and will not be approved. The Resident shall not permit refuse from litter boxes to accumulate nor to become unsightly or unsanitary. The resident shall not dispose of refuse from litter boxes in the toilet.
10. The weight of a cat cannot exceed twenty (20) pounds (fully grown). The weight of a dog cannot exceed forty (40) pounds (fully-grown) and 20 inches in height from the front shoulder of the animal. Regardless of size, dogs of a vicious or aggressive disposition will not be permitted.
11. Prohibited Animals: Animals or breeds of animals that are considered by LRHC to be vicious and/or intimidating will not be allowed. Some examples of animals that have a reputation of a vicious nature are reptiles, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Pit Bulldog, German Shepherd, Chow, and/or any animal that displays vicious behavior. This determination will be made by a LRHC representative prior to the execution of this lease addendum. Other Prohibited Pets include reptiles (except turtles), Iguanas, snakes and birds of prey.
12. If the pet is a bird, it shall be housed in a birdcage and cannot be let out of the cage at any time.
13. If the pet is a cat or dog, it must have received rabies vaccinations. Evidence of vaccination can be provided by a statement/bill from veterinarian or certified on LRHC Form #78 and must be provided before the execution of the Pet Policy Addendum.
14. All pets must be housed within the unit and no facilities can be constructed outside of the unit for any pet. No animal shall be permitted to be loose and if the pet is taken outside, it must be taken outside on a leash and kept off other Resident's lawns.
15. All pet(s) must be under the control of an adult leaseholder. An unleashed pet, or one tied to a fixed object, is not considered to be under the control of an adult leaseholder. Pets, which are unleashed, or leashed and unattended on housing authority property, may be impounded by Animal Control. It shall be the responsibility of the Resident to reclaim the pet at the expense of the Resident.
16. Pet(s) may not be left unattended for more than ten (10) consecutive hours. If it is reported to LRHC staff that a pet(s) has been left unattended for more than ten (10) consecutive hours, LRHC staff may enter the unit with Animal Control to pick-up the animal. Any expense to remove and reclaim the pet from any facility will be the responsibility of the Resident. In the case of an emergency, LRHC will work with the resident to allow no more than 24 hours for the resident to make accommodations for the pet.
17. Responsible Pet Ownership: Each pet must be maintained responsibly and in accordance with this pet ownership lease addendum and in accordance with all applicable ordinances, state and local public health, animal control, and animal anti-cruelty laws and regulations governing pet ownership. Any waste generated by a pet must be properly and promptly disposed of by the tenant to avoid any unpleasant and unsanitary odor from being in the unit in accordance with the provisions of LRHC's Pet Policy.
18. Pet(s) shall not disturb, interfere with or diminish the peaceful enjoyment of other residents. The terms, "disturb, interfere or diminish" shall include but not be limited to barking, meowing, crying, howling, chirping, biting, scratching and other like activities. This includes any pets that make noise continuously for a period of 10 minutes or intermittently for one-half hour or more and therefore disturbs any person at any time of the day or night. The LRHC will terminate this authorization if a pet disturbs other residents under this section of the lease addendum. The resident will be given one week to make other arrangements for the care of the pet, or the dwelling lease will be terminated.
19. If the animal should become destructive, create a nuisance, represent a threat to the safety and security of other persons, or create a problem in cleanliness and sanitation, the LRHC will notify the tenant, in writing, that the animal must be removed from the development, within five (5) days of the date of the notice. The Resident may request a hearing, which will be handled according to the grievance procedure. The pet may remain with the resident during the hearing process unless LRHC has determined that the pet may be a danger or threat to the safety and security of other persons. If this determination has been made by LRHC, the pet must be immediately removed from the unit upon receipt of the notice from LRHC.
20. The Resident is solely responsible for cleaning up the waste of the pet within the dwelling and on the premises of the public housing development. If the pet is taken outside, it must always be on a leash. If there is any visible waste by the pet, it must be disposed of in a plastic bag, securely tied and placed in the garbage receptacle for their unit. If the Housing Authority staff are required to clean any waste left by a pet, the Resident will be charged $50.00 for the removal of the waste.
21. The Resident shall have pets restrained so that maintenance can be performed in the apartment. The Resident shall, whenever an inspection or maintenance is scheduled, either be at home or shall have all animals restrained or caged. If a maintenance person enters an apartment where an animal is not restrained, maintenance shall not be performed, and the Resident shall be charged a fee of $25.00. If this same situation again occurs, the pet shall be removed from the premises. Pets that are not caged or properly restrained may be impounded by an animal control officer. It shall be the responsibility of the Resident to reclaim the pet at the expense of the Resident. The Housing Authority shall not be responsible if any animal escapes from the residence due to maintenance, inspections, or other activities of the landlord.
22. Pets may not be bred or used for any commercial purposes on LRHC property.
23. Feeding or caring for stray animals is prohibited and will be considered keeping a pet without permission.