OM
I am doing research to be prepared in case a problem develops for a disabled friend of mine who lives in a HUD building. A previous search I did years ago showed that HUD, at least in a specific building, had a non-existent federal law cited in their lease that required cats to be declawed. When asked to show where that law existed, they declined and said cats did not have to be declawed.
But here is the present potential problem: C.'s lease says she can have one cat, which she does. But she found and took in an abandoned kitten. She took the kitten to the vet and took care of some parasites the kitten had. Next week she is getting spayed because the vet says that the kitten is 6 months old. C.'s other cat and the kitten get along absolutely beautifully; both are so happy.
So far, what I've come up with is that the disabled have great rights, and that emotional need is enough to warrant the right for a disabled person to have a pet. But what about a second one? So far, the management has been cool about it. But managers change, or even just their attitudes. It would truly be a disaster if C. was told she could not keep her second cat. A backup home has already been found for the kitten if needed, but the kitten and everyone else in the household would be much, much happier if she could stay.
Anyone have any knowledge on this?
Thank you.
Rights of the Disabled to Have Pets
Re: Rights of the Disabled to Have Pets
I'm not sure the disabled have any more of a right as far as how many pets are allowed in the home as opposed to an able-bodied person. It is ultimately up to the landlord/manager who writes and enforces the lease as he/she wishes.
Many landlords often give the pet-owner the option of giving a deposit for the addition of a pet or more than one pet, your friend could talk to others in the building and see what they have done.
Many landlords often give the pet-owner the option of giving a deposit for the addition of a pet or more than one pet, your friend could talk to others in the building and see what they have done.
..........Traci
Re: Rights of the Disabled to Have Pets
Maybe your friend can get a written addendum to her lease stating she is able to keep the two cats and possibly have give an additional deposit for the second cat...
I hope she can keep the little one...it is good for our pets to have companions other than huams to rough and tumble with in their own kind of play, and someone to talk to in their own language...
I hope she can keep the little one...it is good for our pets to have companions other than huams to rough and tumble with in their own kind of play, and someone to talk to in their own language...
OM
The way the HUD building she lives in works is that officially they have to stick to the rules, that on paper everything has to be a certain way. BUT, unofficially they bend the rules a lot, even for themselves. Since some of the higher ups over the manager of the building have UNofficially said it is ok, there doesn't look like there will be a problem. But if some stinker tenant starts to make trouble--especially threatening a lawsuit--then there could be a problem. But the more time that goes on with the second cat living there with even the unofficial approval of the local HUD people, the more chance and rights C. has in keeping the second kitty. From past experiences with such situations, if one has a strong argument and documentation, and can elicit local public sympathy, one has a very good chance in succeeding. The trick is to be prepared.
The way the HUD building she lives in works is that officially they have to stick to the rules, that on paper everything has to be a certain way. BUT, unofficially they bend the rules a lot, even for themselves. Since some of the higher ups over the manager of the building have UNofficially said it is ok, there doesn't look like there will be a problem. But if some stinker tenant starts to make trouble--especially threatening a lawsuit--then there could be a problem. But the more time that goes on with the second cat living there with even the unofficial approval of the local HUD people, the more chance and rights C. has in keeping the second kitty. From past experiences with such situations, if one has a strong argument and documentation, and can elicit local public sympathy, one has a very good chance in succeeding. The trick is to be prepared.