ROCKFORD HOUSING COMMISSION PET POLICY RESOLUTION 10/04.01 REVISED: MAY 23, 2011 In compliance with Section 227 of Title II of the Housing and Urban Recovery Act of 1983, the Rockford Housing Commission will permit residents to own and keep common household pets in their apartment in housing projects built exclusively for occupancy by elderly and handicapped families. NOTE: This policy does not apply to animals that are used to assist persons with disabilities. Assistive animals are allowed in all public housing facilities with no restrictions other than those imposed on all tenants to maintain their units and associated facilities in a decent, safe, and sanitary manner and to refrain from disturbing their neighbors. COMMON HOUSEHOLD PETS ARE DEFINED AS: 1. BIRD: including canary, parakeet, finch, parrots or other species that are normally kept caged. Bird of prey or game birds are not permitted. 2. FISH: in tanks or aquariums, not to exceed 10 gallons in capacity; poisonous or dangerous fish are not permitted. 3. DOG: not to exceed 45 lbs. in weight nor taller than 20 to the shoulder at full growth. All dogs must be neutered or spayed. All dogs must be licensed under the Michigan State dog license law. 4. CAT: Must be neutered or spayed and be kept inside your apartment. NO OTHER ANIMALS, CAGED OR UNCAGED ARE APPROVED. 1. Before acquiring a pet, the owner must have on file with the Rockford Housing Commission a notarized statement naming the person accepting responsibility for the care of the pet in case of absence of more than one day. A pet deposit of $150.00 is required before acquiring a dog or cat. 2. Every pet must be registered, prior to obtaining and keeping the pet in the apartment, at the Commission s management office. Registration includes: a) Proof of current license for dogs b) Proof of inoculations, rabies and distemper (Cats and Dogs) c) Identification tags (Cats and Dogs)
d) Proof of spaying or neutering of the animal e) Photograph of the pet 3. At no time will the Housing Commission approve exotic pets such as snakes, monkeys, tarantulas, game pets, rabbits, etc. 4. Only one (1) pet is allowed, per household. 5. Visiting pets may be allowed with prior Commission approval, as long as the general provisions of this policy are followed as regards size, type of animal, licensing and inoculations. The resident with whom the pet is visiting must accept full responsibility for all provisions of this policy. The pet deposit of $150 will not be charged unless the pet will be visiting for more than 48 hours. If the pet will be visiting for more than 48 hours, the pet deposit must be paid. It will be held until the pet leaves and be refunded if no damages have been accessed. Two (2) verified complaints will be grounds for excluding the pet from further visits. 6. All pets must be on a leash when not in the owner s apartment. Leash must be no longer than FOUR (4) feet. 7. Litter boxes must be provided for cats. 8. All fur-bearing animals must wear flea collars or be dusted with flea powder to prevent flea infestation in the apartment. If infestation occurs, the pet owner will be charged for the cost to exterminate the areas that are infested. 9. Pet owner shall be responsible for immediate removal of feces dropped anywhere in the building or on the grounds. a) All pet waste, including litter from pet waste boxes, must be wrapped, placed in a plastic bag, tied securely and disposed of in the proper container provided by management. (Rogue Valley Towers residents are to use the outside dumpster for pet waste disposal, not the trash room chute). 10. At no time are pets to be tied or leashed and left outside of the apartment unattended, for any reason. 11. Dogs and cats can be left unattended in the apartments for four to six hours, if the pet does not pose a nuisance. 12. No doghouses will be allowed on any Commission property. 13. At no time will pets be allowed in lobbies or on furniture in any common areas of any project facilities.
14. All apartments with pets must be kept free of pet odors, including grounds near the apartment, and maintained in a clean and sanitary fashion. Resident s apartments will be subject to inspection as deemed necessary by the Commission. 15. IF A PET POSES A NUISANCE, SUCH AS EXCESSIVE NOISE, BARKING OR WHINING WHICH DISRUPTS THE PEACE OF NEIGHBORING RESIDENTS, THE COMMISSION WILL REQUEST THE OWNER TO REMOVE THE PET FROM THE PREMISES WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR (24) HOURS. 16. Every dog must wear a City or County Animal License, a valid rabies tag and a tag bearing the owner s name, address and telephone number. Since dog license renewals are March 1 annually, pet owners are required to furnish the Commission with license renewals by May 31 annually. 17. Every cat must wear a valid rabies tag and tag bearing owner s name, address and telephone number. 18. Pet owners are liable for any damages caused by their pet, including damage to the dwelling unit or exterior damage to lawns or shrubs. a) Pet owner agrees to immediately remove or allow the Commission to remove from the premises any pet within the scope of this policy, for improper maintenance, at the owner s expense. 19. Violation of the Rockford Housing Commission Pet Policy will be grounds for termination of lease. 20. Tenants will be required to keep their pets license and identification tag current. This will be checked periodically at random by management. Any tenant not complying with requirements will have 48 hours to comply or remove pet from the premises.
PET CARE PROVIDER Name of person to care for my pet in case of illness: Name Address Telephone Number (days) (evenings) Tenant Signature of Person Accepting Responsibility for Care of Pet Signature of Notary Public, Seal and If the above named person changes their name, address or telephone number or if you, as a tenant, decide to have another person care for your pet in case of illness, please notify the Housing Commission Management Office.
PET OWNER CERTIFICATION (Head of Household and all other adult parties to the lease) I/We hereby certify to the following: 1. I assume full responsibility for any litigation brought forth and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Rockford Housing Commission from all claims, causes of action, damages, or expenses, including attorney fees that result from the action or activities of my pet. 2. In the event I cannot care for my pet and the pet care provider can not be located, or will not claim my pet, I agree that after 24 hours of my illness, absence or death, the pet shall be released to the Kent County Human Society in accordance with their procedures, if no other person can be found to care for the pet. 3. I understand that the Rockford Housing Commission accepts NO RESPONSIBILITY for the pet under any circumstance. 4. I have been strongly advised by the Rockford Housing Commission as a pet owner to obtain liability insurance. 5. I understand that as a pet owner, I am subject to all provisions of the City of Rockford and the State of Michigan regarding restraint, inoculations and licensing of animals. 6. I have read the pet policy, or it has been read to me, and I understand its provisions. I agree to abide by these provisions fully and understand that permission to own a pet will be revoked if I fail to do so. Failure to comply with any part of the above, or to fail to take corrective action after sufficient notice of violation shall be cause for termination of my lease. I have received a copy of this policy. Tenant Signature Tenant Signature Housing Commission Staff Witness