Living With Pets: Things You Need To Know When Moving

16 Apr Living With Pets: Things You Need To Know When Moving

Hi, Acadeo friends!

Are you moving out of your parents’ house and into your new home? Are you still in the planning stages and looking around? Most importantly, do you have a pet?

Though the Philippines isn’t as strict with pet regulations compared to countries like Japan or Singapore, there are still some rules you need to keep in mind when you’re going to move somewhere with a pet. Here’s a quick list!

HOA or Property Management Pet Deposits

Pet deposits are a common thing among western countries, and has been rapidly adopted by many of our neighbors in Asia as well.

A pet deposit is a fee paid to homeowner associations or property management (like in condominiums or apartments) as a sort of insurance for pet-related mishaps. Primarily, this fee is for taking care of the property – like when a pet dog digs up a flower bed, or pees indoors in common areas.

Pet deposits also come with a tenant agreement that requires you to follow a set of guidelines in order to keep your pet within the property; failure to adhere to this agreement may result in management asking you to move your pet elsewhere.

We love our pets, and it would be disappointing to leave our pets behind when we move to a new home. Ask about pet deposits before you consider sealing the real estate deal to avoid this.

Pet Regulations In Your Barangay or Subdivision

Here’s an important bit of information: your home is a sovereign space, where you can do whatever you want (as long as it’s legal and harmless). However, the minute you step outside of your property, the rules of the world immediately applies – and this extends to our pets.

Many subdivisions in the Philippines actually have regulations about taking care of pets, though how these regulations are enforced vary everywhere.

Barangays, districts, and even cities have different ordinances about pet care as well. For example, Davao City has an ordinance that bans stray dogs or cattle, defined as dogs or cattle that are “found wandering in streets, plazas, markets, school premises and other public places,” as per City Ordinance No. 1457.

Meanwhile in Marikina City, City Ordinance No. 13, S-95 prohibits pet owners from taking their pets outside of their private properties to urinate or defecate, and you could face high penalty fees if caught doing so. In our very own Cagayan de Oro City, stray dogs are caught and impounded, where they can be claimed for a fee as per Ordinance No. 9852.

Knowing what the rules and regulations are for keeping pets in the area you’re moving into may spell the difference between a peaceful stay with your furry baby, or having to rehome them.

Noise, Nuisance, or Injury Liabilities

You’ll be surprised to know that in some places, you can be penalized for having an energetic pet.

This mostly applies to private communities like subdivisions or apartment complexes, where several families share communal spaces. Loud barking or constant roof-running often falls under noise or nuisance, and many private communities have regulations against such that they could penalize you for if your neighbor chooses to complain about your pet. Ouch!

As well, you’re liable for damages if your pet hurts a person, intentionally or otherwise. Police could be involved, and depending on where you live, you could be evicted if your pet causes serious bodily harm to another person.

These are just some of the important points you’ll need to keep in mind when moving to a new place with your furry family members. Rehoming pets is something many animal lovers would hate to do, so let’s make sure we check all the moving boxes for ourselves and our pets before we commit to moving.

Let us know if you know other pet-related moving tips, and good luck with moving!