Residents may keep dogs or cats at their home, except where:
- The home has a shared entrance, in which case only one pet will be allowed (and in addition the contract holder will also be required to sign an acceptable behaviour contract. This will include, for example, an agreement that the pet will not be allowed in the communal areas of the property (apart from when leaving or entering the property) and dogs must be kept on a short lead when in the communal areas)
- It is considered that the home is unsuitable for a pet
What responsibilities do owners have?
To their pets
- Contract holders are responsible for the health and welfare of their pets in accordance with the RSPCA 5 Freedoms and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This requires proper day-to-day management and care of the pet. Bron Afon will take the welfare of the pets concerned into account when deciding if contract holders will be asked to remove an animal from the property and removing permission for the individual contract holder or households to keep a pet. If contract holders have any questions about the care of their pet they should contact their vet or local RSPCA centre.
To their neighbours or the wider community
- Contract holders need to be mindful of the affects that pet ownership can have on people living as immediate neighbours. Section 20 of Bron Afon’s secure occupation contract clearly explains that contract holders are responsible for the actions of and any nuisance caused by their pets or their visitors pets
- Contract holders that access their property through a communal door e.g. flats and retirement schemes will need to make sure that their pets are not left to roam freely, they are kept on a lead at all times and they are not allowed to foul in communal hallways, landings, stairwells or gardens.
- Where fouling does occur, it must be cleaned up immediately afterwards and disposed of appropriately.
To our staff and members
- Contract holders have a responsibility to ensure that any pet they have does not cause a problem or pose a threat to any member of our staff either in the contract holders own home or in the community around their home.
To Bron Afon
- Pet owners need to ensure that by having a pet in their home this does not cause any additional damage or unreasonable wear and tear to their home or to the communal areas around it. This will be detailed within the acceptable behaviour contract signed.
- The number and type of animals kept needs to be proportionate to the property size.
- No pet should be left in a contract holders homes when they are away unless clear arrangements have been made to provide adequate care for the respective animals and Bron Afon has been notified of the temporary absence.