MQ and Pets?

[midori1999]

I seem to have a bit of a problem...

When we moved in, we had two dogs. We had permission for them. We then got s dog we had bred back. Everyone started saying we were only allowed two dogs in a MQ and so DH checked with he welfare officer at the time (at the time I thought he was checking with DE) and we werw told that if you had permission to have a dog, you had permission to have more than one, and it was fine. We have snce taken in another dog that was meant to be temporary, but is now a permenant resident.

We also have two cats, some hens and my snake collection, which amounts to around 30 snakes.

All the animals are kept responsibly and under control and not allowed to cause a nuisance. However, due to a loose dog on camp recently causing problems, all occupants of MQ have had to fill in a form declaring their pets and it seems you need permission for each and every pet, which we weren't aware of.

The whole situation has been made worse by DH emailing DE about this, (after speaking to them on th phone nd being told to put it in writing and without discussing with me first) mentioning completely irrelevant things like the loss of our twin baby daughters, saying things like 'my wife finds comfort in her animals' 'would never see a healhy animal put to sleep' and other such gems, that basically make the pair of us sound like lunatics!

Does anyone know of anyone who keeps a large number of pets in a MQ or more than two dogs and has permission to do so? Or does anyone have any idea what will happen next? An inspection or something? Rehoming is not an option for me, so if we are told we can't keep them all I will have to look for alternative accomodation.

Thankyou.

I'm really not sure what they'll say in your circumstances but I'm sure that even if they say "no", they'd have to say why and you'd surely be entitled to ask them to come and inspect your home to see how you're keeping them. You could also always ask an RSPCA inspector to be present so it backs up your ability to care for them.

As long as you've/they've not damaged the quarter, aren't a health hazard and aren't disturbing the neighbours, then I don't understand why they would say no.

That said, if you imagine that many civvie landlords don't allow any pets (us included), then why should the forces be any different?

I know of one family who have guinea pigs, chickens, horses, dogs and cats I think and perhaps the odd rabbit!

Where do you keep that many snakes out of interest?

You need to look at the relevant JSP
JSP464 Pt1 Ch 7 Section VI It's on page 136.

You do have to have permission for each pet (and always have done AFAIK) When you applied for your quarter there should be have been an application to keep pets with it - did you get one? I know lots of epople who have had cats, dogs and chickens and had no problems getting permission. Not sure about the snakes as well. I know someone who has 1 snake and a couple of those dragon lizard things, but not sure what they will about the ammount you have!

Thankyou very much both for replying.

My husband was told when he rang DE today that people in general were allowed two dogs and four hens, but it appears from the link posted that it is taken on a case by case basis. Certainly my friend has more than four hens and I know she does have permission for them.

We did get the application for pets when we moved in and informed them of the pets we had at the time. It was a genuine mistake that we hadn't informed them of further pets added, but we just weren't aware/made aware. We've lived here for 2 1/2 years and could potentially be here for another 6 years.

luciemule, the snakes are all kept in one bedroom, a few in vivariums, but most in purpose built shelving 'racks'. They are very valuble, so all kept very well and securely and obviously don't cause a nuisance to anyone else. They cannot escape. I appreciate the number of snakes seems odd to non reptile keepers, but it's not especially unusual within the herp community. In fact, my collection would be considered on the small side of average. They are my hobby, but I do breed a few and sell on what are surplus to what I want or weren't what I hoped to breed, so although it's by no means a business, I do get some 'pocket money' from them too.

I was just curious :)

Snakes actually make me a bit squeamish - I remember a little boy I used to babysit for feeding his snake defrosted mice - eughhh.

I'm sure if you ask, they'll be fine about all of your pets - just say you thought you had to permission to have pets in general; not ask for each individual pet.

Thanks.

We have heard from DE and they are happy for us to keep all of our pets, we just have to fill in a form about the hen house.

Thank goosness for that!

midori can I just ask how easy it is to move hens around? I'd love some chooks but DH says they'd be a nightmare to move...and do you have people who can look after them when you go on holiday?

oh, and I'm pleased to hear you can keep all your pets, we never told anyone about our cats because we forgot but we'd had permission for one that had died a year earlier so I hoped that was enough!

We do have people who would look after the hens whilst we went on holiday, but I wouldn't trust anyone tbh. Forgettng to put them to bed at night could cost the hens their litle lives. Plus, I won't kennel our dogs and won't give anyone responsibility for the snakes. They're very valuble and can't be insured.

As for moving... it would be easier for someone with two or three hens and not so many other animals to move. A small coup like an Eglu can fit in the boots of most decent sized cars and hens can travel in cat carriers or cardboard boxes. In our case, we'd have to hire a van (large one!) if we had to mvoe anyway as the snakes obviously have specific housing and heating needs, so we would move the hen house and hens at the same time. It wouldn't be much fun for us to move, I can tell you....

Fair enough, don't think I'd want to snakesit 30 snakes
Might have to get working on DH for some chick-chicks now then!