Providing for your pets' physical needs and caring for them with love and commitment are the first requirements of responsible pet owners. But these are not the only requirements. Pet caregivers cannot reasonably or responsibly ignore the impact their animals can have on neighbors. This is especially true of those living in multifamily rental properties. Here are a few common-sense rules to keep your neighbors happy—and your pet safe. Responsible Pet Owners:
- Clean up after their pets and dispose of the waste in a sanitary manner
- Keep their dogs on leashes at all times when outside the home
- Help their cats stay safe and live longer by keeping them indoors and away from situations where they could become nuisances
- Ensure that their dogs or cats are licensed and outfitted with visible identification at all times.
- Obey local animal nuisance laws (which generally define "excessive noise" by any animal as continuous or incessant for a period of ten minutes, or intermittently for one-half hour, to the disturbance of any person at any time of the day or night)
- Spay or neuter their dog, cat, rabbit, or ferret to improve the health and behavior of the animal and to prevent their animal from adding to the problem of pet overpopulation
- Maintain an active flea-and-tick control program so these pests won't spread to neighboring units, the common areas of a building, or public parks
- Keep pet portfolios that include proof of licensing, proof of spay or neuter, current records of vaccinations and veterinary care, dog training school diplomas, references from previous landlords, and information on pet first aid and nearby emergency veterinary clinics
- Maintain a pet emergency kit that includes an emergency plan and supplies in the event the home must be quickly evacuated because of a disaster.
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