Future proposal
Domesticated Animals and the responsibilities of their Stewards/Owners
- Status: Draft
- Submitted: 2024-05-07
- Submitted by: Rob R
- Decision type: Constitutional
- Authorized decision path: Consensus minus 1 of the entire ownership
Summary
This proposal introduces a bylaw amendment to allow for the responsible keeping of animals while respecting Fruit Haven’s vegan vision, local environment, and animal welfare. It establishes guidelines for plant-based feeding, rehoming, and community oversight.
Affected Layers and Artifacts
- Layer 0 — Community Bylaws
Change Type
- Permanent rule change
- Time-bounded experiment
Rationale
To find an acceptable policy regarding stewardship of animals while still respecting the vegan vision and foundational Bylaws that the community is built upon. It opens up the possibility for responsible keeping of animals under strict compassionate and vegan principles.
Risks and Mitigations
- Risk: Animals may be fed non-plant-based diets against vegan principles.
- Mitigation: Strict requirements that only animals capable of thriving on plant-based diets are allowed, with community oversight and expert consultation.
- Risk: Overpopulation of animals.
- Mitigation: Mandatory spaying/neutering of all cats and dogs by five months of age, with limited exemptions.
- Risk: Abandonment or improper rehoming during property sales.
- Mitigation: Strict rehoming protocols, mandatory verification before property transfer, and a $200 fee per animal for failure to comply.
Transition and Migration Plan
Existing companion animals acquired before the purchase of an FH share may be exempt from the plant-based diet rule on a case-by-case basis upon community approval. Stewards are expected to be open to nutritional exploration. A new “FH Animal Record” must be created and maintained by the community.
Rollback Plan
If this amendment causes significant disruption to the community or welfare of the animals, it can be repealed through a consensus minus 1 decision-making vote of the entire ownership.
Effective Date
Upon adoption (Approval of consensus minus 1 vote of the current property owners and members).
Review Date (if experiment or time-bounded)
N/A
Proposed Text
[proposed bylaw amendment]============ Fruit Haven Bylaw Amendment 1 “Domesticated Animals and the responsibilities of their Stewards/Owners” All Fruit Haven Ecovillage Properties
Article I: Name and Purpose
1.1 Name: Fruit Haven Ecovillage Bylaw Amendment 1.
1.2 Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to open up to the possibility for responsible keeping of animals while respecting the Fruit Haven Bylaws, the local environment, compassionate principles and strong animal welfare. By this amendment, the community wishes to find an acceptable policy regarding stewardship of animals while still respecting the vegan vision and foundational Bylaws that the community is built upon.
Article II: Definitions
2.1 FH: Fruit Haven Ecovillage shall be abbreviated to FH in this document.
2.2 Stewards: Keepers of animals are referred to as Stewards. This is to emphasize the role as “caretakers” in contrast to “exploiters”.
2.3 FH Community: The Fruit Haven Ecovillage owners. Decisions made by consensus -1, normally at regular community meetings.
Article III: Community Areas and Animal Policy
3.1 Community Areas: All community areas within the Ecovillage, including shared kitchens, gardens, and recreational spaces, shall adhere strictly to vegan principles. No animal products or by-products are to be used or consumed in these areas.
3.2 Plant Based Animals: Only animals that can be kept thriving on a plant based diet are allowed in community areas. This may also include cats if fed appropriate plant foods that includes the necessary supplements. Decisions about which animals qualify will be made by the FH Community in consultation with experts on plant diets for animals.
Article IV: Residential Guidelines Regarding Animals
4.1 Keeping of Animals: Residents may keep non-human animals on their private property within the Ecovillage, provided they ensure these animals are cared for humanely and without the exploitation typically associated with animal agriculture. The bylaws and this amendment must be respected and followed.
4.2a Plant Based Feeding: Only animals that can be kept thriving on a plant based diet are allowed. This may also include cats if fed appropriate plant foods that includes the necessary supplements. Decisions about which animals qualify will be made by the FH Community in consultation with experts on plant diets for animals.
4.2b Exemptions from 4.2a: Companion animals acquired before the purchase of a FH share may be exempt from this rule on a case by case basis after the owner bringing the request to the FH Community meeting and being accepted. The owner is expected to be open and receptive regarding knowledge and exploration of properly prepared and nutritionally complete plant foods.
4.3 Acquiring Animals: Animals can be adopted out of need for rehoming. No animals are to be purchased to any FH property or PHL without the approval of FH Community and added to the FH Animal Record (Article 8.1). Animals are not to be dealt with as commodities. With this, the keeping of animals at FH can be seen as sanctuary activity.
4.4 Noise: Animals expected to routinely make loud noises that can be heard by FH neighbors are not allowed.
4.5 Killing of animals: No killing is permitted except in clear cases of mercy euthanization.
4.6 Insurance: Every animal kept mandates an annual payment to the FH Animal Welfare Fund to help pay for unforeseen veterinary costs and in other ways look after the welfare of animals at FH. Specific amounts are listed in a separate document, “Fruit Haven Bylaw Amendment 1 - appendix A”.
4.7 Breeding: Breeding of animals at FH is strictly prohibited in order to discourage commercial exploitation and to ensure the welfare of all animals.
4.8a Spaying and Neutering: To prevent population growth and to promote animal health and welfare all cats and dogs shall be spayed or neutered by the age of five months. There is good support for this in current research.
4.8b Exemptions from 4.8a: Very large or giant breeds of dogs may be spayed or neutered later. Male dogs that are fearful of noises, people or other dogs may be exempt due to risk of problems increasing. Male dogs prone to straying, overly dominant, humping or problematic urine marking may not be exempt.
4.9a Community Insight: The Steward shall be open to review by other owners in order to ensure good treatment and wellbeing of the animals. Openness, communication and cooperation for the welfare of the animals is expected from all parties. Any issues or complaints shall be addressed by the FH Community.
4.9b Animal Welfare Review: Annual reviews shall be scheduled at times convenient to the Steward and carried out by a small group selected by the FH Community. This shall NOT be a type of policing but a cooperation in the interests of animal welfare, the Stewards and the Fruit Haven Ecovillage.
Article V: Exit Strategy and Rehoming of Animals
5.1 Rehoming outside of FH: Animals can not be sold, traded or otherwise given away to neighbors or others outside of FH unless it is approved by FH with a consensus -1 at community meeting and an email where owners can vote.
5.2 Responsibility of the Owner: Owners wishing to sell their property must rehome any non-human animals residing on their lot to a safe and appropriate environment. This rehoming must be completed prior to the final sale and transfer of the property and be in accordance with FH Bylaws including this Amendment.
5.3 Rehoming Verification: The seller must be able to show the FH Community that the rehoming has been completed according to the standards set by these bylaws.
5.4 Rehoming Fee: If the seller fails to rehome their animals prior to the sale, a fee of $200 per animal will be levied. This fee will contribute to a fund dedicated to animal welfare initiatives within the community.
5.5 Community Oversight: The FH community owners reserves the right to intervene in the rehoming process to ensure that the welfare of the animals is maintained.
Article VI: Governance
6.1 Management: Animal welfare and related matters shall be handled by FH Community owners.
6.2 Meetings: Any matter needing attention shall be handled at the regular community meetings, and all owners are encouraged to attend. Special meetings may be convened as needed.
Article VII: Amendments
7.1 Modifications: These bylaws may be amended when necessary, subject to consensus minus 1 decision making vote of the entire ownership. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing at least 30 days prior to a regular meeting.
Article VIII: Dispute Resolution
8.1 Record Keeping: For clarity and avoidance of conflict, the FH Community shall keep a record of all animals at FH, their spayed/neutered status, yearly FH Animal Welfare Fund payment status, year of birth, and or any other FH Community decision regarding exemptions or other issues. See document “Fruit Haven Bylaw Amendment 1 - appendix B - Animal Record”
8.2 Mediation and Arbitration: Any disputes arising under these bylaws or related to the Ecovillage shall first be addressed through mediation. If mediation fails, arbitration may be pursued as a final resolution.
Article IX: Effective Date and Ratification
9.1 Adoption: These bylaws shall be considered adopted and in effect upon the approval of consensus minus 1 vote of the current property owners and members at a duly convened meeting.
Decision Record
- Vote outcome: Needs Review
- Vote date: N/A
- Mechanism: Fruit Haven vote
- Vote link: N/A
- Signatories / vote count: N/A