Dolphin Coast estates increasingly pet unfriendly

Finding accommodation on the North Coast is a tedious task for pet owners, especially with most estates having strict no pets policies.

The demand for pet-friendly accommodation is steadily growing but choices are limited

Also read: Fur flies over ‘no cats’ decision at Ballito estate

After months of frustration, Westbrook resident Jann Oosthuizen said she struggled to find a home where she could keep her two cats and a Maltese poodle.

“I am a single mom and my first option was to live at an estate for safety reasons. I relocated from Johannesburg in February and my son goes to a Ballito school, so my first option was to move there. I was shocked to find that most estates did not accommodate pets.

“Leaving my pets behind was not an option so I bought a free standing house instead.”

The no pets policy recently came under debate at Ballito’s Kingston Estate where it was resolved last week not to allow pets on the property as per the existing rules.

About a month ago, Kingston Estate residents were up in arms after the estate trustees enforced the existing no pet policy and fined pet owners and those found feeding feral cats.

The rule to not allow pets on the property has always been in place, but owners and tenants claim it had not been enforced until after an AGM about three months ago.

Outraged, the residents formed a Save the Cats group and challenged the policy.

A vote was taken last Thursday, where 45 out of 72 property owners voted to retain the existing rule.

A family member who spoke on behalf of an elderly resident at Kingston estate said her relative rescued two cats 11 years ago and has been put under severe strain by the policy.

“The no pets rules were never enforced and we are really stressed out and trying to help her as much as we can.

“She lives alone and the cats are all she has,” said the woman who asked not to be named out of fear of victimisation.

One tenant was reportedly asked to move out of her unit after her landlord received a hefty fine for her two cats.

Speaking to The Courier, Premier Real Estate sales agent Mzo Mabaso said there were a few estates that allowed pets on the property for a variety of reasons.

“In an estate, everyone has to be taken into consideration and not everyone likes animals, especially when they roam around and cause a disturbance. Many are also eco estates and have to take the wild animals into consideration.”

Mabaso said there were a few estates that allowed pets.

“I know that Palm Lakes Estate, Brettenwood Coastal Estate and Simbithi Eco Estate allows pets under certain criteria and people need to get permission from the estate first before they move in.”

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