No pets in apartments?

These days the trend of living in apartments is growing for many reasons of which we are all aware.

But a real cause for concern is the big boards in front of some of the apartment buildings which, among some of the other rules, say "No pets allowed."

This clearly means if a family with a pet has to move into an apartment for any reason, they must give up their pet, which is absolutely unethical. When so much is talked about and is being done to "save our animals", can this kind of treatment toward our animal companions be justified?

Isn't it time that these apartment property managers are reminded of a few points before they come up with such rules?

Pets are living things with feelings; pets are not disposable items but are in fact more like family members!

By asking residents to dispose of their pets, they are guilty of cruelty to animals and animal abuse.

Today, with the growing trend of apartment living more and more, people have to live in apartments, whether by choice or not. Does that justify people being deprived of the pleasure of keeping pets, or pets being deprived of good families and homes?

If pets do not cause any trouble to other residents, what is the harm in having them? Do we ask parents to dispose of their children who make too much noise and annoy other residents? Then why are innocent animals targeted - because they can't speak?

Of course, there can be some rules like not bringing pets into the garden or leaving pets in the corridors, or they can charge extra - all these make sense - but disposing of our pets can be a cause of huge anxiety and depression for pet owners and their pets as well!

I hope apartment managers will consider these points and make changes for the better for pet owners and innocent pets.

Rachna Johar
Jakarta