In compliance with Section 526 of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, QHA 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 are 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:

Bird Includes species that are normally kept caged; birds of prey are not permitted.

Fish In tanks or aquariums, not to exceed 5 gallons in capacity; poisonous or dangerous fish are not permitted

Dogs Not to exceed 25 lbs. weight, or 15 inches in height at full growth. Dogs must be spayed or neutered. No Pit Bulls will be permitted

Cats Must be spayed or neutered and be declawed or have a scratching post and should not exceed 15 pounds

Rodents Rodents other than hamsters, gerbils, white rats or mice are not considered common household pets.

Reptiles Reptiles other than turtles or small lizards such as chameleons are not considered common household pets.

Exotic pets At no time will the QHA approve of exotic pets, such as snakes, monkeys, game pets, etc.

Caged pets Some animals are allowed ONLY if they are kept caged. This includes most birds, ferrets, all rodents, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

2. No more than one dog or cat shall be permitted in a household. In the case of birds, a maximum of two birds may be permitted. There is no limit to the number of fish, but no more than one aquarium will be permitted. A resident with a dog or cat may also have another “common household pet” 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 apartment for the purpose of handling, but shall not generally be unrestrained.

4. Only one dog or cat is allowed per household. NO PIT BULLS WILL BE PERMITTED. All dogs and cats need to be on a leash or otherwise restrained at all times while outside. Dogs and cats are not permitted to run loose on Authority property or in hallways, lobby areas, Laundromats, community rooms or other common areas.

5. Pet owners shall maintain their pet in such a manner as to prevent any damage to their unit, yard or common areas. The animal shall be maintained so as not to be a nuisance or a threat to the health and safety of neighbors, QHA employees or the public, by reason of noise, unpleasant odors or other objectionable situations.

6. Each pet owner will be fully responsible for the care of the pet, including proper disposal of pet wastes in a safe and sanitary manner. 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: (1) no additional security deposit shall be required of the resident with whom the pet is visiting (unless the visit is in excess of 72 hours) and (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 within ten (10) days following their introduction to the community. Registration consists of providing:

a. Basic information about the pet (type, age, description, name, etc.)
b. Proof of inoculation and licensing.
c. Proof of neutering or spaying. All female dogs over the age of six (6) months and female cats over the age of ten (10) months must be neutered. If health problems prevent spaying or neutering, a veterinarian’s certificate will be necessary to allow the pet to become or continue to reside in the community.
d. There is a refundable Pet Deposit that is to be paid in full at the time of application. The deposit for a family is $200.00 and for a senior resident is $175.00. This deposit is to defray the cost of potential damage done by the pet to the unit or common areas. There shall be no additional pet deposit for pets other than dogs or cats. The Pet deposit shall not preclude charges to a resident for repair or 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 only refundable if no damage is identified at the move-out inspection.
e. 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 24-hours have elapsed, the tenant hereby gives permission for the pet to be released to the Humane Society/Animal Control, in accordance with their procedures. In no case shall QHA incur any costs or liability for the care of a pet placed in the care of another individual or agency under this procedure.

10. The resident shall not alter the unit, the patio or unit area in order to create an enclosure for any pet. No animal shall be tied up on the outside or left unattended.

11. If a pet is left unattended for a period of twenty-four (24) hours or more, QHA may enter the dwelling unit after contacting the proper authorities and have said pet removed, subject to the provisions of local ordinances and state law. The Authority accepts no responsibility for the animal under such circumstances.

12. Feeding and harboring stray animals is prohibited and is considered having a pet without the written permission of the Housing Authority.

13. The privilege of maintaining a pet in a facility owned or operated by the QHA shall be subject to the rules set forth in this policy. This privilege may be revoked at any time subject to the Housing Authorities procedures if the pet should become destructive, create a nuisance, represent a threat to the safety and security of other residents or create a problem in the area of cleanliness and sanitation.

14. Residents who violate these rules are subject to:
a. Being required to get rid of the pet within 14 days of written notice by QHA; and/or
b. Eviction

15. The resident may obtain Renters Insurance which lists QHA as the additional insured. This policy is to provide the pet owner with $100,000 coverage for property damage and bodily injury caused by any pet.

16. 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 QHA from all claims, causes of action, damages or expenses, including attorney fees, resulting from the action or the activities of his or her pet.