Why do we need the Pet Friendly Housing Pilot?

We are a country of pet lovers with an estimated 51% of us owning pets (PDSA PAW Report 2024). Changes in personal circumstances often force owners to make the heart-breaking decision to relinquish their pet. Owners face a range of personal difficulties, from seeking a new home but landlords not allowing pets in rented accommodation to challenging situations such as homelessness or domestic abuse. In 2023, 1 in 10 handover enquiries received by Dogs Trust in Scotland mentioned a change of accommodation or rental agreement as a factor in the reasons for relinquishment.

At Dogs Trust, we know the bond between pets and owners is truly special, so we work hard to keep owners together with their beloved pets through the challenges that life brings. Through our Outreach Projects, we support owners who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness or fleeing domestic abuse to stay together with their dogs. We truly do take a trauma-informed approach.

Pets offer unconditional love, stability, and much-needed companionship for those facing isolation and loneliness and additionally dogs also keep their owners active. Our Pet Friendly Housing Pilot, funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, looks to improve and strengthen the availability of pet friendly social housing which in turn, will make it easier to keep much loved pets with their owners.

This pilot covers all domestic pets. By becoming accredited you are helping make sure pets and owners stay together throughout their housing journey.

In 2020-21 we worked with leading homelessness charity Simon Community Scotland to make all their homelessness services become dog- friendly, alongside a number of other homelessness services in Scotland. This work continues throughout the UK via our Together Through Homelessness endorsement scheme.

Through that work and further research, we recognise that social housing in Scotland is a more welcoming option for pet owners seeking permanent accommodation. We want to harness that warmth and work with Registered Social and Local Authority Landlords in Scotland on our Pet Friendly Housing Pilot.

We are also heartened that the Housing (Scotland) Bill contains proposals to strengthen the rights of pet owners in both social and private rented housing. Therefore, it makes sense to roll our Pet Friendly Housing Pilot out throughout Scotland.

Definition:

Pet friendly housing is that which recognises the important bond between owners and their pets and supports them to stay together. This is achieved through a housing provider having a range of robust pet friendly policies and practices in place, so that tenants can live with their pets.

Pet friendly housing providers have an inclusive pet policy in place, agreed upfront with tenants and prospective tenants. The providers understand that the presence of a well-behaved, well looked after pet(s) within a household should not present a barrier to the household being able to access housing. In relation to dogs, there are no breed restrictions in place.

There is a clear and fair complaints policy in place regarding pets, and housing providers manage complaints in a manner that balances the needs of tenants with and without pets. Where possible, pet friendly housing providers collect relevant data on the pet population within their homes, including animal numbers and species.

Pet friendly housing providers equip their staff with knowledge and resources allowing them to confidently deal with matters relating to pets in homes and communities. Training is provided where required and health and safety requirements are met. Tenants of pet friendly housing providers have access to relevant resources to support responsible pet ownership and promote animal welfare.

Animal welfare is of paramount importance, and any significant concerns regarding animal neglect or mistreatment will be reported to the Scottish SPCA.