we limit the number of cats and dogs to today's existing resident numbers. i.e. 2 dogs and 14 Cats. This to be made clear to all prospective residents.
Any new request for a cat or a dog will be agreed only if the respective numbers have fallen below the limit. Names chosen out of a hat, at the time, if more than 1 request.
New and replacement dogs will still have to be interviewed and approved to make sure they are safe.
Existing pet owners can replace if one dies but only 1 dog or cat in 1 dog or 1 cat households.

Dog and Pet Owning Guidelines

It was agreed on 24 February 2001 that:

Dogs will only be allowed on communal land on a fixed/short length lead and not allowed in the communal house.
All pets will have to be agreed by the community, no pet breeding. Accidental offspring must be given away unless agreed otherwise.
Dog owners will make sure their pets do not poo in communal areas, in the event of accidents the dog owner must clear up the mess.
Pet owners will be sensitive to other members' needs and anxieties. If the rules are broken the pet must go within 14 days unless the community (freeholder) decides otherwise.
Dogs should be well cared for and not neglected. If left on their own or kept in doors and they bark causing disturbance to any resident then the dog must go within 14 days unless decided otherwise by the Springhill Cohousing community.

Cat Guidelines

That each cat owner has a litter tray which the cats must use exclusively.
That cat owners have two representatives. So that any cat shit found will be cleared up and that will be arranged by the reps within 24 hours.
Cats (and all pets) are barred from the common house.
Cats are sterilised, any kittens born by mistake are given away within 2 months.
Cats must not cause a nuisance to any members.
If a cat owner breaks these guidelines eg does not train their cat to use litter tray, they must get rid of the cat within 14 days unless the Springhill Cohousing Company overturns the decisions within that 14 days or the Disputes Committee allows a further 2 weeks.

Pets committee

as agreed at a meeting on 12/1/04

The Pets committee comprising Liz C (coordinator), Madi, Stephen and Karen will continue to be authorised to accept pets according to the Lease under the following code:

To make any prospective new owner of a new pet aware of existing pets guidelines
To make sure the prospective owner understands and agrees to follow the guidelines.
Pets committee meetings will be publicised and are open, any other resident may attend the meetings.
The remit of the pets committee is to approve pets and to avail all pet owners of the 'pet rules', which are stated on the web site. The approvals process is as follows:
- All residents must inform the pets committee if they want to acquire new pets.
- The pets committee will then give the community two weeks notice ,by email, to raise any objections.
- If objections are raised then the decision as to whether the pet is approved is then brought to the next residents meeting
To give Cohousers at least 2 weeks notice of any new pets and to receive comments and consider them for a further week before making a final decision.
To bring the decision to a directors meeting if the committee decides the matter is too controversial.
The committee may make additional guidelines to enable a pet to be accepted. These would need to be ratified at a directors meeting before the pet is accepted.
To keep a record of all pets that have been approved.
New members can formally join the committee and meetings will be open to all residents and owners.

Springhill Pets Policy Poem

written by Jo Bousfield, 7 september 2007

SPRINGHILL PETS POLICY

If you fancy living here,

In pleasant cousing-ho

And you have a cat or dog,

This info is for yo;

In Springhill, at this very time

We have two charming doggies

We think this number is enough

Plus fourteen gorgeous moggies.

The rule is that this number's max

(ok; pet snakes, and rats..)

But whether tabby, poodle,dachs,

No more dogs or cats

After much consideration

This is for your information