Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: send those pet policies

[Dahako (Dahako]

Hi -

We don't have a pet policy yet at Eastern Village, but the Community Life team 
discussed it a little and the following *rough* draft is posted as a "straw 
man" for more discussion (later, later, later after we get through lots of 
development stuff first).  Remember, we are a very urban condo development.

DRAFT

Pet Policy - 

Statement of Issue:

To the extent possible, we want to minimize pet-related conflict in the 
community. We want to support responsible pet-ownership and provide a mechanism 
for resolving any conflicts related to pets that arise between or among member 
households.

We want our pet policy to support our community values.

Proposal:  

This policy will be in place from the time it is approved until 6 months after 
move-in, at which time the community life team will review and update it.

EVC will rely on the Montgomery County pet ordinance with the following 
additions:

1.  To keep cats from defecating and urinating in community spaces, to limit 
the spread of FIV (cat version of AIDS) among community cats, and to preserve  
area songbirds, no EVC cats will be outdoors unless they are on a leash or 
supervised by an owner. (supports environmental value)
2.  No dogs in the courtyard or other community green spaces without a 
responsible human who will keep them from damaging plantings and who will 
immediately clean up after them.  (supports environmental and caring community 
values)
3.  Pets may be in the common house under the supervision of a responsible 
human so long as the animal stays off any food preparation or serving area or 
chairs or furniture or sinks. (supports caring community value)
4.  An EVC member may request that any pet leave the common space at any time 
for any reason.  If asked to remove a pet, the responsible human will remove 
the pet immediately, no questions asked. (supports caring community value)
5.  Guide animals are not pets. (just a reminder: it's the law)
6.  If a pet-related conflict arises between/among EVC members and the members 
involved have tried and concluded they cannot work through the issues among 
themselves, the members involved will follow these steps before invoking the 
County's enforcement procedures:  contact the community life team and ask for a 
facilitator or conflict mediator, then get the parties involved together and 
discuss the issue with the facilitator/mediator present.  If this does not 
produce a satisfactory resolution, the members involved will discuss the issue 
with the entire community life team.  If this does not produce a satisfactory 
resolution, the members may agree to arbitration by elected officers of the EVC 
condominium association or may elect to pursue action by the County.


-Jessie Handforth Kome
Eastern Village Cohousing
Silver Spring, Maryland
"Where we're on the cusp of starting construction."
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