Pet Policy

In compliance with Section 526 of The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, MHA residents shall be permitted to own and keep common household pets. Animals that are an auxiliary for persons with a disability are excluded from this policy. The ownership of common household pets is subject to the following rules and limitations:

1. Common household pets shall be defined as "domesticated animals such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish or turtle". Common household pets are defined as follows:
   
   1. Bird - Includes Canary, Parakeet, Finch and other species that are normally kept caged; birds of prey are not permitted.
   2. Fish - In tanks or aquariums, not to exceed twenty (20) gallons in capacity; poisonous or dangerous fish are not permitted.
   3. Dogs - Dogs not to exceed 10 pounds (10 lbs.) weight, or fifteen (15) inches in height at full growth. Dogs must be spayed or neutered. Veterinarian's recommended /suggested types of dogs are as follows:
      a. Chihuahua e. Cocker Spaniel
      b. Pekingese f. Dachshund
      c. Maltese g. Terriers
      d. Poodle h. Schnauzer
      NO PIT BULLS WILL BE PERMITTED
   4. Cats - Cats must be spayed or neutered and be de-clawed or have scratching post, and should not exceed 10 pounds (10 lbs.).
   5. Rodents - Rodents other than hamsters, gerbils, white rats or mice are not considered common household pets. These animals must be kept in appropriate cages.
   6. Reptiles - Reptiles other than turtles or small lizards such as chameleons are not considered common household pets.
   7. Exotic Pets - At no time will the MHA approve of exotic pets, such as snakes, monkeys, game pets, etc.
2. No more than one (1) dog or cat shall be permitted in a household. 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 twenty (20) gallons shall be permitted. A Resident with a dog or cat may also have other categories of "common household pets" as defined above.
3. Pets other than a dog or cat shall be confined to an appropriate cage or container. Such a pet may be removed from its cage while inside the owner's housing unit for the purpose of handling, but shall not generally be unrestrained.
4. Only one (1) dog or cat is allowed per household. NO PIT BULLS WILL BE PERMITTED. All dogs and cats will need to be on a leash, tied up, or otherwise restrained at all times when they are outside. Neither dogs nor cats shall be permitted to run loose.
5. Pet owners shall maintain their pet in such a manner as to prevent any damage to their unit, yard or common areas of the community in which they live. The animal shall be maintained so as not to be a nuisance or a threat to the health or safety of neighbors, MHA employees, or the public, by reason of noise, unpleasant odors or other objectionable situations.
6. Each pet owner shall be fully responsible for the care of the pet, including proper disposal of pet wastes in a safe and sanitary manner. Specific instructions for pet waste shall be available in the management office. Improper disposal of pet waste is a lease violation and may be grounds for termination.
7. All pets shall be inoculated and licensed in accordance with applicable state and local laws. All cats or dogs shall be neutered or spayed, unless a veterinarian certifies that the spaying or neutering would be inappropriate or unnecessary (because of health, age, etc.).
8. Visiting pets may be allowed as long as they generally conform to the guidelines expressed in this policy, except that, no additional pet deposit shall be required of the Resident with whom the pet is visiting unless the visit is in excess of seventy-two (72) hours, and two (2) verified complaints shall be grounds for excluding the pet from further visits.
9. All pets shall be registered with the Management Office immediately or no longer than ten (10) days following their introduction to the community. Registration shall consist of providing:
   1. Basic information about the pet (type, age, description, name, etc.); a picture of the pet is required.
   2. Proof of inoculation and licensing;
   3. Proof of neutering or spaying. All female dogs over the age of six (6) months and female cats over the age of five (5) months must be spayed. All male dogs over the age of eight (8) months and all male cats over the age of ten (10) months must be neutered. If health problems prevent such spaying or neutering, a veterinarian's certificate will be necessary to allow the pet to become or continue to be a Resident of the community;
   4. Payment of a pet deposit of $350.00 (to be paid in full.) to defray the cost of potential damage done by the pet to the unit or to common areas of the community. There shall be no pet deposit for pets other than dogs or cats. The pet deposit shall not preclude charges to a Resident for repair of damages done on an ongoing basis by a pet. The Resident is responsible for all damages caused by the pet and will reimburse the Authority for all costs it incurs in repairing such damages. This deposit is non-refundable.
   5. If a Resident cannot care for their pet due to an illness, absence, or death and no other person can be found to care for the pet, after twenty-four (24) hours have elapsed, the Resident hereby gives permission for the pet to be released to the Humane Society/Animal Control, in accordance with their procedures. In no case shall PHA incur any costs or liability for the care of a pet placed in the care of another individual or agency under this procedure.
10. Any litigation resulting from actions by pets shall be the sole responsibility of the pet owner. The pet owner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the MHA from all claims, causes of action damages or expenses, including attorney's fees, resulting from the action or the activities of his or her pet. The MHA accepts NO RESPONSIBILITY for the pet under any circumstance. The MHA strongly advises resident to obtain liability insurance.