Pet Policy

APPROVAL

No pet may be kept unless agreed to in writing by Site management and the Head of the Household signs an appropriate Pet Agreement. A Resident Household is allowed only one common household pet.

OWNERSHIP FEE

A non-refundable ownership fee of $100.00 shall be required for all dogs and cats. The JCHA reserves the right to change this fee amount consistent with federal guidelines at any time. Residents who previously paid a pet ownership fee according to JCHA policy in effect at the time of less than $100 will not be required to pay an additional fee on an existing pet.

ALLOWED PETS

Dogs: No more than 24 inches in height. Must be spayed or neutered. No pit bulls, rottweilers, chow chows, boxers or akitas are allowed.

Cats: Must be spayed or neutered. Must be declawed.

Birds: Must be maintained in a cage at all times.

Fish: Reasonable size aquarium. Site Management must approve of size and installation.

Small mammals: Such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, etc. must be kept caged at all times.

The following animals are not allowed as pets:

	Snakes of all varieties
	Members of an endangered species
	Creatures which are inherently dangerous, e.g. tarantulas, piranha, etc.

RULES FOR DOGS AND CATS

	Dogs and cats shall be maintained within the resident pet owner's apartment or townhouse.
	When outside, the pet shall be kept on a leash and under the control of the resident AT ALL TIMES. Under no circumstances shall any cat or dog be permitted to roam free in any common area.
	Cats and dogs must have identifying tags on them.
	Cats and dogs must be registered with the Jersey City Department of Health.
	Cats and dogs must be up-to-date in all local/state-required inoculations.
	Resident must carry and use a means for cleaning up and disposing of waste when pets are out of the apartment/townhouse and all such waste must be cleaned up immediately.

RESIDENT LIABILITY

The residents agrees not to hold any judgment or claim against the JCHA brought by any other party in connection with any activity or damage caused by the resident's pet. Any pet who causes bodily injury to any resident, guest or JCHA employee shall be immediately and permanently removed from the premises without prior notification.

In the event of a sudden illness, the resident pet owner agrees that the JCHA shall have discretion with respect to the provision of care of the pet unless written instructions are provided in advance.

	A resident's liability for damages caused by his/her pet is not limited to the amount of the ownership fee. The resident will be required to reimburse the JCHA for the actual cost of any and all damages caused by his/her pet.
	The JCHA will impose a separate pet waste removal charge of $10.00 per occurrence on pet owners who fail to remove pet waste in accordance with pet rules.
	Any necessary fumigation of an apartment/townhouse will be the responsibility of the pt owner, who will bear the cost.
	Charges for unclogging toilets or clean-up of common areas required because of attributable pet nuisance shall be billed to and paid by the resident pet owner.

SANITARY STANDARDS

	Resident must agree to comply with the Health and Safety codes of the State and City.
	Litter boxes shall be changed twice weekly or more often if odor other problems arise.
	All animal waste of litter from cat litter boxes shall be disposed of in sealed plastic trash bags and placed in garbage cans.
	Cat litter shall not be disposed of by flushing down toilets.
	Pet owners shall control noise and odor caused by a pet in such a way as to prevent the noise or odor from disturbing other residents. Failure to control noise or odor may result in revocation of permission to house a pet.

PET REGISTRATION

Prospective pet owners must register their pet before it is brought onto the premises. Registration includes:

	A certificate or license signed by the Jersey City Department of Health
	Information to identify the pet
	Name, address, phone number of one or more parties who will provide care for the pet if the owner is unable to do so
	Certificate stating that the pet has been inoculated as required by the State and/or City. The inoculation will be re-verified at the time of re-certification
	Certificate stating that the pet (cat or dog) has been neutered

REVOCATION OF PERMISSION TO HOUSE A PET

The JCHA may revoke the permission to house a pet on a temporary or permanent basis for the following causes.

	Creation of a nuisance after proper notification consistent with pet rules
	Excessive pet noise or odor with proper notification
	Dangerous behavior by the pet
	The pet is not effectively restrained, leashed and under the control of a responsible individual while in common areas
	Excessive damage to the apartment/townhouse
	Problems with vermin or flea infestation
	Failure of the resident to provide adequate care and/or vaccination of the pet
	Leaving the pet unattended for eight hours or longer or left alone in an apartment/townhouse overnight
	Damage to other apartments/townhouses or common areas

LEASE VIOLATION

Any violation of this Pet Policy shall be considered a violation of the Lease Agreement and shall subject the resident to appropriate penalties under state statute including eviction proceedings.

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