The City’s animal by-laws apply in full. On top of them, the association’s rules set a limit and ask that pets do not become a nuisance to neighbours.
- Dogs
- Maximum two, without written consent
- Cats
- Maximum two, without written consent
- Other animals
- Poultry, pigeons, aviaries, livestock: written consent required
- In public
- On a leash at all times
The rules in practice
- Two dogs and two cats per property. More than that needs the association’s written consent, which the rules say will not be unreasonably withheld, but it is also subject to City approval.
- No roaming. Pets may not wander the streets or any public area, including the green belts.
- Leashes in public. Every public area in the suburb, streets, pavements, parks, the green belt, requires a leash.
- Pick up after your dog. This comes up in almost every newsletter, and it is the complaint neighbours actually make.
- No nuisance. Persistent barking is a by-law matter and, under the rules, a conduct matter too.
Rehoming or lost pets. The VRH Community WhatsApp group is the fastest route in the neighbourhood. For strays, the City’s animal care unit or a local welfare organisation is the correct channel.
Wildlife
The green belts and the renosterveld are habitat, not empty land. Cats in particular hunt the birds and reptiles that the conservation work is trying to protect. Keeping cats in at night is the single most effective thing an owner can do.