Cohousing-L Mailing List: Pets in Community

[Andrea Carlson (apierlioni]

Hello:

 

I've been reading the posts about dog and cat "policies" in communities and
want to share some of our experiences at Nevada City Cohousing in Nevada
City, California.  In the formative stages of our community, there was
contention about what the pet policy would be.  (This was before move in and
before any pets lived together).  I would suggest trying not to
pre-determine how things will work until you observe how they actually do
work.  We started out with a general policy that dogs are to be in direct
supervision of their owners at all times in common area, either leashed or
under voice control.  All pet owners will pick up after pets (either theirs
or others as they observe it).  To this end, one neighbor carries an extra
bag with her just in case and another posted a pickup bag holder with bags
in a conspicuous place accessible for all to share.  No animals other than
service dogs are allowed in the common house.  We have no rules about
outdoor cats.  Also all pets are to be spayed and neutered and current on
vaccines.  This rather loose policy has worked out just fine for our
community which has a large outdoor cat population and substantial dog
population too.  I can say that all dogs within our community get along well
even when encountering each other off leash.  There is one dog that was a
little too exuberant for an elderly shiz tu and has to be on leash when
outdoors.  Hence I would advise that you deal with individual problems as
they arise rather than impose over riding rules at first.  As far as the
cats, it is truly remarkable with a large cat population, there is relative
harmonious co-existence among the felines.  The felines do set the rules for
the dogs though and without incident the dogs seem agreeable to abide by
their wishes.   I am a veterinary technician and realize the risks of cats
being outdoors rather than inside.  That being said, both my cats are
indoor/outdoor and find great enjoyment in being outside, observing the
"action".  Mostly cats are territorial creatures and stay close to their own
home turf (especially if neutered).  

 

As a general statement, the animals have been good examples of what it means
to live together peacefully in community.  Now it's just the human
interactions that need some work.

 

Sincerely,

 

Andrea Carlson

Nevada City Cohousing