Approved by the Board of Directors on July 6, 2009
Approved by the General Membership on July 28, 2009
This policy replaces the "Pets" section of the previous House Rules, which were last revised by the membership on February 20, 1997.
0.0 ABOUT THIS POLICY
0.1 This policy sets out rules for the keeping of pets and other animals by members of Windmill Line Co-operative (“the Co-op”), their children and long-term guests.
0.2 In these Rules, “Common areas” means all areas of the Co-op except members’ units. Members’ units include their balconies and patios. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Co-op, and “Staff” means employees of the Co-op.
0.3 The Rules are a policy that applies to all members under 15.3(c) of the Co-op’s Organizational Bylaw. The bylaw explains how these Rules can be changed.
0.4 All previous policies, whether they were called “House Rules” or something else, that cover the same things as this policy, are revoked and replaced by this policy.
0.5 Members are always responsible for the actions of their children, guests and animals. Guests include anyone that a member, or someone they are responsible for, lets into the building.
1.0 PETS AND OTHER ANIMALS
1.1 If they need them, members, their children and long-term guests can have assistance animals (example: guide dogs) including those in training. These animals must be registered with the Co-op office and are not considered pets for the purposes of this policy. They are the only animals other than pets defined in 1.2 that members, their children and long-term guests are allowed to have.
1.2 Within the limits set in 1.4, members, their children and long-term guests can only have the following types of animals as pets:
a) cats
b) animals normally kept in aquariums and cages
1.3 Members, their children and long-term guests must do all the following:
a) They must register their pet(s) with the Co-op office.
b) If they have any cat older than 6 months, it must be spayed or neutered.
1.4 Members, their children and long-term guests must not:
a) have a pet longer than 1 metre
b) have a pet with a mass greater than 20 kilograms
c) have a pet that is poisonous or venomous
d) have more than 2 cats as pets
1.5 Members can have pet dogs visit them overnight for up to ten nights per calendar year. The dogs and the length of their stay must be registered with the office, otherwise the Co-op can revoke this privilege. All other rules regarding animals (examples: no odours, no excessive noise, etc.) must be followed; otherwise the Co-op can have the dogs removed.
1.6 Members who are responsible for an animal are also responsible for cleaning up any waste, odours or other messes generated by the animal.
1.7 Members who are responsible for an animal are also responsible for any damage it causes to Co-op property and must perform or pay for cleaning, repairs and pest treatment at the Co-op’s request. Otherwise, the Co-op can perform the necessary cleaning, repairs and pest treatment, and charge the member.
1.8 Pets are not allowed in Common areas except the roof and while in transit to and from a member’s unit when arriving at or leaving the Co-op, or while in transit to and from the roof. While in Common areas:
a) Visiting pet dogs must be leashed or harnessed, cats must be leashed or harnessed or in a carrier, and other pets must be in carriers.
b) Assistance animals must wear their working harness or equipment.
c) Those animals that are required to by law, must be muzzled.
1.9 If an animal is found loose in a Common area, the Co-op must make reasonable efforts to identify the member responsible for it and return the animal to them. If neither can be done, the Co-op can remove the animal without further delay. If later identified, the member must pay the cost of the removal.
1.10 The Co-op can remove any animal causing problems (examples: fleas, odour, excessive noise, repeatedly running loose). The Co-op must give 7 days’ written notice to the member responsible for the animal. The member must pay the cost of such removal.
1.11 When removing an animal, the Co-op must use humane methods or agencies that use humane methods (examples: Toronto Animal Services, the Toronto Humane Society).