Roch Dog Residence Standard

RDRS-01 · Roch Dog Standards

An open standard defining what it means for a home to genuinely welcome a dog to live in it, not merely tolerate one.

01 What It Is

The Roch Dog Residence Standard, published as RDRS-01, defines what it means for a long-term home, rented or governed by a community body, to be dog friendly for a resident rather than a guest. It exists to address a specific harm: dogs given up to shelters when a family moves and cannot find housing that will take them. Its principle mirrors its sibling standards, that a dog friendly home welcomes dogs rather than merely permitting them. It is published openly to read.

02 What It Covers

Fourteen requirements are grouped under three pillars. Fair and transparent terms cover a published policy, consistent and reasonable acceptance criteria, no blanket breed or size ban, fair and refundable charges, a transparent decision process, and stable terms. Welfare covers safe in-home conditions, daily relief and exercise, safe movement and boundaries, and the mitigation of chronic stressors such as noise. Provision covers waste disposal, maintained shared facilities, and clear common-area rules.

03 How It Is Checked

Assessment is binary: a provider must meet every requirement, and failing any single one is a Not Certified outcome, with no partial passes or scores. Certification is carried out by Roch Dog, the standard’s body, or an assessor it has licensed, against the published text, and can be withdrawn if the requirements are no longer met. As with its siblings, the standard is open to read but cannot be self-declared.

04 Why It Matters

Housing law on dogs varies widely and rarely defines what a dog-welcoming home actually provides, leaving renters exposed to blanket bans, deterrent fees and discretionary refusals. A published residential standard gives that gap a definition, and aims squarely at keeping dogs and their families together rather than parted by a move.

Primary sources

Roch Dog Residence Standard (RDRS-01)rochstandard.com