Dogs Trust said it has actually been getting a record variety of questions from individuals required to rehome their animals, as they have problem with increasing living expenses.
Around one in 10 of those owners calling the charity point out concerns with real estate as the factor for requiring to rehome their dog.
Dogs Trust said this group consists of some individuals being required to move or scale down as rental rates increase, however who are not able to discover appropriate, inexpensive pet-friendly homes.
Sadly, among the most typical factors we see dogs handed in to our rehoming centres is because of a modification in the owner’s living situations and an absence of available pet-friendly accommodation
Meanwhile, Cats Protection said that in 2015 it took in around 1,300 cats – the equivalent of around 3 every day – due to property managers not enabling them in their homes.
The Government has actually laid out strategies to present more powerful defense for renters as part of its Renters’ Reform Bill.
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “We understand just how much individuals enjoy their animals, which is why we are making it much easier for tenants to have them in their home.
“We will bring forward legislation (which will apply in England) to, for the first time, give all tenants the legal right to request a pet in their house which landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.
“This is all part of our wider measures to transform the rental market and provide a new deal for tenants.”
Paula Boyden, veterinary director of Dogs Trust, said: “2022 was the busiest year in our history for forfeiture questions.
“Sadly, among the most typical factors we see dogs handed in to our rehoming centres is because of a modification in the owner’s living situations and an absence of available pet-friendly accommodation.
“For most dog owners, being separated from their dog is no various from being separated from a relative, so the intro of brand-new defense for tenants will help guarantee that less owners are required to make the heart-breaking choice to quit their precious animals.
“We are pleased to see that the Government has plans to include pet-friendly policies in its Renters’ Reform Bill, and hope to see these rights enshrined into law soon so that the benefits of pet ownership are no longer exclusive to homeowners, but open to renters as well.”
Pet ownership must not be an opportunity in contemporary society
Madison Rogers, head of advocacy and federal government relations for Cats Protection, said: “Pet ownership must not be an opportunity in contemporary society and Cats Protection is advising the Government to progress with prepared legislation to end blanket ‘no pets’ policies and provide tenants with animals much better defenses.
“In the meantime, there are a few things renters looking for a pet-friendly property can do: start looking for pet-friendly housing early, proactively ask letting agents or landlords if they allow pets even if it says ‘no pets’ on the advert, and create a ‘pet CV’ outlining the measures you will take to be a responsible pet owner, such as providing veterinary records and details of your pet’s behaviours.”
Dogs Trust said it has actually been offering recommendations and resources to family pet owners, property managers and letting firms through its Lets With Pets plan.
Cats Protection likewise runs its Purrfect Landlords program, which supplies recommendations to renters, property managers and social real estate companies on how to perform conversations targeted at keeping cats in leased homes, with more details available at cats.org.uk/purrfectlandlords.
We acknowledge the significance of animals for numerous renters and, particularly, the strong sense of friendship they supply to their owners
Chris Norris, policy director for the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: “We acknowledge the significance of animals for numerous renters and, particularly, the strong sense of friendship they supply to their owners.
“Our most significant issue has actually constantly been that the law, as it presently stands, avoids property managers from making it a requirement that renters get insurance coverage to cover the danger that their animals will trigger damage to the rental property. Given this, we invite the Government’s strategies, which will allow property managers to ask family pet owners to have actually the needed insurance coverage to cover such damage.
“As ministers continue to deal with the Renters’ Reform Bill, it is important that the law takes a sensible technique to animals in personal leased accommodation.
“It needs to reflect the fact that some properties, such as flats without gardens, may not be suitable for certain types of pets. Likewise, in shared homes, the rights of those wanting a pet need to be balanced with the rights of fellow tenants who might have concerns, especially those with certain allergies.”
