PET POLICY
The following agreement shall govern the keeping of pets in and on properties owned and operated by the Housing Authority of the City of Alma, AR. The purpose of the agreement is to ensure that pet ownership will not be injurious to persons or property, or violate the rights of all tenants to clean, quiet and safe surroundings.
The definition of pet is as follows:
Common household pet means a domesticated animal such as a dog, cat, bird or fish that is traditionally recognized as a companion animal and is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial purposes.
Pet Deposits
A pet deposit in the amount of $200 is required. This can be paid over a period of no more than five (5) months. This deposit will be fully refundable at the time tenant moves or disposes of the pet, provided no damage has been done to the unit. Tenant is responsible for ALL cost of pet related damages, including flea or tick infestation.
The resident’s liability for damages caused by his/her pet is not limited to the amount of the pet deposit. The resident will be required to reimburse the Authority for the real cost of any and all damages caused by his/her pet where they exceed the amount of the pet deposit. These damages may include infestation of fleas, mites, ticks or other pests carried by his/her pet.
All units occupied by a dog or cat will be fumigated upon being vacated, the cost of which will be deducted from the security deposit. Costs caused by the infestation of a unit by fleas, mites, ticks or other pests carried by his/her pet shall be the responsibility of the pet owner, and will be deducted from the security deposit. If that deposit is inadequate to cover charges, the resident will be billed additionally for damages and costs.
The types of animals allowed as pets shall be limited as follows:
DOG – No less than 6 months old, house trained and under 30 lbs. and no more than 18” in height at full grown adult size. Vet records stating the animal is spayed or neutered and up to date on all shots must be presented before the animal is brought onto AHA property.
CAT – No less than 6 months old, litter box trained and cannot be over 8 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh over 15 lbs at full grown adult size. Vet records stating the animal is spayed or neutered and up to date on all shots must be presented before the animal is brought onto AHA property.
FISH – Fish Aquariums (up to 20 gallons).
BIRDS – Two small caged birds (no large birds).
Tenant agrees to keep no more than, ONE dog OR cat, two small birds OR ONE aquarium.
Dog Ownership Requirements:
The dog’s flea collar must be changed every (3) months.
A dog must be on a leash at all times when outside of the owner’s apartment unless it is in an approved locked pet carrier. Small dogs should be held.
Dogs may not be exercised or curbed on Alma Housing Authority property. They must be walked or curbed outside of Alma Housing Authority grounds.
In a case that a pet deposits waste on the Alma Housing Authority’s property, the pet owner must use a utensil such as a “Pooper Scooper” to remove any refuse from his/her pet as soon as it is deposited on Authority property. The waste must then be placed in a plastic bag, sealed tightly, and disposed of as trash.
No dog may stay alone in an apartment overnight. It is the responsibility of the resident
if they have to leave suddenly and be away overnight to take the pet elsewhere until they return. If a pet is found alone, Pet Removal, shall apply.
Cat Ownership Requirements:
Cat litter shall not be disposed of by flushing down toilets. Charges for unclogging toilets or for cleanup of any common area required because of attributable pet nuisance shall be billed to, and paid by, the resident pet owner.
A resident must use an Authority approved cat litter box. Litter must be put in a sealed plastic bag and disposed of twice a week.
A pet cat must wear a collar at all times showing its owner’s name and address. It must also wear a cat flea collar. The cat flea collar must be changed every three (3) months.
A cat must be on a leash at all times when outside of the owner’s apartment unless it is in an approved locked pet carrier.
If a pet deposits waste on the Alma Housing Authority’s property, the pet owner must use a utensil such as a “Pooper Scooper” to remove any waste from his/her pet as soon as it is deposited on Authority property. The waste must then be placed in a plastic bag, sealed tightly, and put inside a proper waste receptacle.
All animal waste or litter from cat litter boxes shall be picked up by the pet owner and disposed of in sealed plastic trash bags and placed in trash bins. Cat litter shall be changed twice weekly.
No cat may stay alone in an apartment overnight. It is the responsibility of the resident if they have to leave suddenly and be away overnight to take the pet elsewhere until they return. If a pet is found alone, Pet Removal shall apply.
Bird Ownership Requirements:
No more than two (2) birds to a unit will be permitted – canaries, parakeets, or lovebirds only. No parrots!
The bird cage must be no larger than three (3) feet high and two (2) feet wide.
Cages must be cleaned daily and debris disposed of in a plastic bag to be put in trash immediately.
Birds must be healthy and free of disease at all times.
Birds may not be left alone in apartment for over two (2) days unless the owner has made arrangements for their daily care.
Fish Ownership Requirements:
Only one fish tank is permitted to a dwelling unit. It must be no bigger than 20 gallon capacity size, or a resident may have one (1) large goldfish bowl no more than one (1) gallon capacity size.
At a minimum, a fish tank must be cleaned monthly. A fish bowl must be cleaned weekly. Waste water from the tank or bowl must be disposed of in the apartment toilet.
Fish may not be alone in the unit for over one (1) week unless the owner has made arrangements for their daily care.
A pet owner must be aware when cleaning or filling fish tanks that the cost to repair any water damage done to his/her apartment or other Authority property as a result of such cleaning will be billed to the pet owner. Any charges must be paid within 30 days of the incident.
Resident dog/cat owners must display Pet Card, as issued by the Alma Housing Authority.
Any pet suffering illness must be taken within two (2) days to a veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Upon its request, the Alma Housing Authority must be shown a statement from the veterinarian indicating the pet illness diagnosis. Any pet suspected of suffering rabies or any other disease considered to be a health threat must be immediately removed from the premises, until signed evidence from a veterinarian can be produced to indicate that the animal is not so afflicted.
Resident pet owners agree to control the noise of their pet, such that it does not constitute a nuisance to other residents. Failure to control pet noise may result in the removal of the pet from the premises.
Residents must restrain pets during scheduled inspections and maintenance calls. If the resident fails to restrain the pet, the inspection or maintenance call will be rescheduled and the resident pet owner will be charged $5.00 for a Return Service Call.
THE ALMA HOUSING AUTHORITY SHALL TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS UNDER LAW TO REMOVE ANY PET THAT CAUSES BODILY INJURY TO ANY RESIDENT, GUEST, VISITOR OR STAFF MEMBER.
No pet shall be left unattended in any unit for longer than the time periods indicated in this policy.
Pet owners shall not alter their unit, patio, premises or common areas to create an enclosure for any animal. Installation of pet doors is prohibited.
No animals may be tethered or chained inside or outside the dwelling unit at any time.
Pets that are not owned by a tenant are not allowed on the premises. Residents are prohibited from feeding or harboring stray animals.
The AHA will take all necessary steps to ensure that if pets become vicious, display symptoms of severe illness or demonstrate behavior that constitutes an immediate threat to the health or safety of others, they will be immediately removed from the premises by referring the situation to the appropriate state or local entity authorized to remove such animal.
If it is necessary for the AHA to place the pet in a shelter facility, the cost will be the responsibility of the pet owner.
If the pet is removed as a result of any aggressive act on the part of the pet, the pet will not be allowed back on the premises.
