Why is it so important?
A PETS POLICY
Keeping pets in sheltered, social or council
accommodation can pose many challenges
for landlords. Yet research shows that animals
that are well cared for and responsibly kept
can be a positive attribute to any community,
as pet ownership often satisfies the need for
companionship, daily routine and exercise.
Studies have shown that pet ownership can enhance the
owner's mental and physical health and encourage exercise,
plus pets make great companions1. However, while pets can
have a very positive impact on their environment, irresponsibly
owned pets can be the cause of much misery and suffering to
the animals themselves and to those who live around them.
The challenges - ranging from the high-profile issues of
animal hoarding and intimidation with dogs, to the lower
level but equally problematic issues of cat spraying and
barking dogs - can be improved by having a clear and
well-enforced pets policy.
A pets policy is a document that outlines the expected
behaviours of tenants with regard to pets, which includes
their legal obligations, what is required of owners, and the
potential consequences of failing to observe the policy.
It is also recommended that the pets policy is linked to
the tenancy agreement. Some of the most effective pets
policies have been tied in with larger strategies that tackle
wider issues such as anti-social behaviour (ASB) and noise,
both of which are issues that housing providers and local
authorities are obliged to address. See examples of
good practice on pages 6 and 7.
Social landlords are required under the Housing Act 1996
s.218A, introduced by the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, to
prepare and publish a statement of policies and procedures
for dealing with ASB. Some landlords have decided to
include procedures on nuisance caused by animals within
this statement.
Similarly, in the past, landlords (local authorities in particular)
have used local findings from surveys and national indicators -
specifically the perception of ASB and how well residents feel
it is being dealt with - to tackle some animal-related problems.
This has been a particular focus of landlords that have seen a
rise in ASB with dogs.
It is important that housing providers do not feel alone when
dealing with animal-related problems, as many of these issues
are best tackled in partnership, whether it is with the local
authority, the police or the RSPCA.
This, as well as education and proactive work, will be
addressed later in this booklet.
1 Further information from studies can be found at:
www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/-/article/cad_ourpets
Angela Hampton/RSPCA Photolibrary
COMMUNITY ANIMAL WELFARE FOOTPRINTS
04
��� Housing: A guide to good practice