Join the pledge to keep pets in homes where they are loved
Australia is home to 29 million pets with two thirds of householdsexperiencing the joys and health benefits of having a companion animal¹. Yet,less than 10% of rental properties are advertised as pet friendly²,contributing to thousands of animals being surrendered every year.
As Australia faces a rental crisis (even before the pandemic), CompanionAnimal Network Australia’s new Rent with Pets program is set to change the‘status paw’ on rental laws to allow more renters to experience the joy of thehuman-animal bond and prevent beloved pets from becoming homeless.
“The Rent with Pets program aims to increase awareness around the surrender ofpets to shelters due to difficulty finding pet friendly rental properties, andhow we can all help to stop this,” said Trish Ennis, National Executive ofCompanion Animal Network – Australia (CANA).
“We want to work toward better rental laws in each state to supportresponsible pet owners and create a national law similar to what Victoriabrought in this year.”
CANA is a registered charity representing the companion animal welfare work ofmember organisations across the country, including Animal Welfare League QLD,Animal Welfare League SA, Lort Smith (VIC), Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs’Homes of Tasmania and Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (WA).
The charity celebrates the human-animal bond and promotes responsible petownership through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, such asthe Rent with Pets program.
Rent with Pets provides information, advice and resources to support tenantsand landlords to be responsible pet owner tenants and welcoming landlords, andencourage pet friendly rental laws.
“The Rent with Pets program aims to change attitudes towards pets and rentingand increase awareness about responsible pet ownership and landlord/ propertymanagers’ understanding of the opportunities the responsible pet owner canbring to a rental property,” said Ms Ennis. “We can help animal lovingAustralians create more pet friendly homes by connecting responsible petowners with pet friendly landlords and property managers. After all, a houseisn’t a home without a pet.”
How can you help make a difference?
- Visit Rentwithpets.com.au and learn how to work with each other to achieve the goal of no surrenders due to rental refusal.
- Sign our pledge and contact your local MP to encourage pet friendly rental laws in your state.
- Ask people to become responsible pet owners and help others to do the same. (See our responsible pet ownership checklist here.)
- If you’re a landlord or property manager, encourage responsible renting with pets by adding to advertisements ‘will consider pets with references’. (Here are some tips to write a stellar pet resume).
- Sign up to Companion Animal Network Tales e-newsletter to join our many supporters for pet friendly homes and be informed.
- If you are a tenant, landlord, property manager or animal welfare advocate, tell us your story about renting with pets.
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.
- Download Rent with Pets resources and share on social media with hashtag #forpetfriendlyhomes to help raise awareness!
Image: Family together – Credit Chewy
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