We can state with certainty that the pet policy was in effect until at least March 1999 and is believed to still be in effect.

Way Corps and staff at the TWI locations in Gunnison, Colorado and New Knoxville, Ohio are not allowed have "serious" pets. "Serious" pets, are pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, horses etc. "Non-serious" pets are allowed. These would be pets such as very small turtles, small hamsters, snails etc.

The decision by the Board of Trustees to not allow the Way Corps or staff have pets is the result of the financial belt tightening, austerity measures that are currently in place at TWI.  The emergency cutbacks document in available in the Adobe PDF section.

The reason given was that pets cost money to maintain (pet food and healthcare etc.), and as The Way was paying the salaries, the Trustees felt that they had the right to decide what people could and could not spend their money on.

An exception was made for the Vice-President Rosalie Rivenbark. Her two cats are still living at her home a short distance from The Way International headquarters.