Bre Pittman, left, watches Alexandra Bonak, an animal health assistant, examine her dog, Adria, during an appointment at the Camp Zama Veterinary Treatment Facility in Japan, Nov. 20, 2023. After months of resident feedback, the Housing Office... (Sean Kimmons, U.S. Army Garrison Japan Public Affairs)
CAMP ZAMA, Japan – After months of hearing resident feedback, the Camp Zama Housing Office recently published a new policy that now allows pets in both housing towers here.
The 14-page policy updates and clarifies rules, including potential disciplinary actions for violators, while consolidating other pet-related regulations into one document.
A significant change will permit up to two dogs, cats or a combination of both in residences on the first three floors of Bldg. 1050, and up to two cats in residences on all floors of Bldgs. 1050 and 743.
“We’ll take what we learn from this and apply it forward and see how we can improve or make things a little better,” said Jesus Chavarria, chief of the Housing Office.
The two high-rise apartment-style complexes previously just permitted cats on the first floor, while only residents in single-family homes and townhomes on Camp Zama and Sagamihara Family Housing Area could have up to two pets, including cats and dogs, with some breed restrictions set by the Japanese government and U.S. Army.
The updated policy resulted from input that leadership heard from residents who were for and against pets in the towers.
One of the reasons Bldg. 1050 was chosen to allow dogs is its proximity to the new Hawk’s Way Dog Park. The park has three fenced-in dog runs for small, medium and large dogs, along with pet water fountains and pet relief stations with bags.
“It provided a good compromise of what they are willing to [accept] and what they’re hoping to get out of it,” Chavarria said of the plan.
After months of resident feedback, the Housing Office recently published a new policy that now allows pets in both housing towers at Camp Zama. Residents at Bldg. 1050, pictured here, will be able to have dogs on the first three floors while cats...
Perry Cannon, chief of the Housing Office’s Housing Operations Branch, said it was important for leaders to listen to concerns from all residents before the policy was approved.
“It’s their home so we have to do what we can to make them feel comfortable,” he said. “Because if they’re not comfortable in their home, they’re not going to be able to do their best job to support the mission.”
With more incoming families bringing pets to Camp Zama, the new policy will also provide the Housing Office another option for when housing is limited.
“There are many families coming with pets, and we don’t have enough townhomes to support them,” Cannon said. “That’s why we need to open it up to the towers, so that we can provide more pet-friendly homes for families.”
The policy even addressed an issue brought up during a housing town hall in September of dog owners using voice command while walking their dog. It now states that voice command, shock collars or wireless fences will not be a substitute for leashes.
“We clarified that that’s not allowed,” Chavarria said. “It’s strictly leash control.”
The policy explains disciplinary action, such as the loss of pet privileges or the owner being removed from Army housing, if numerous complaints occur or if their pet causes a serious incident.
Exotic pets and domestic farm animals are also still prohibited in Army housing.
Before the policy was approved last month, Chavarria said the Veterinary Readiness Activity, Japan, provided input to better explain some of the rules.
“We were really glad they took a look at it and helped us out on this,” he said.
The Housing Office also held another town hall late last year to discuss possible changes with residents before introducing the policy to them during a forum Monday.
Chavarria said several tower residents have already voiced their support for the policy.
“We do have individuals who want a pet there, so it should improve their quality of life,” he said. “A lot of them were wanting to get something and now they can.”
And for incoming families with a dog, Cannon said they may also benefit from the policy without needing to find another home for their pet.
“Pets are almost like children; they are really important to families,” he said. “I have two dogs and I couldn’t imagine not having them with me.”
