Guidelines on Pet Management for Housing Providers
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Guidelines on Pet Management for Housing Providers www.petadvisory.org.uk Contents Introduction 03 The role of pets in society – the benefits and the drawbacks 04 Formulating a pet policy – what to consider 05 Giving permission to keep pets 06 Guidelines on Education and awareness 06 Pet Management Unauthorised pets 07 for Housing Animals suitable as domestic pets 07 Providers Guidance for the number of animals 08 2nd edition Animal care 09 Enforcing your pet policy 12 Common pet management issues 12 Housing legislation and advice 14 Animals and the law 14 Older people and sheltered accommodation 16 Homeless pet owners and hostels 17 Case studies of effective working practice 18 Draft pet policy 22 Application to keep a pet in accommodation – draft form 24 Directory of useful contacts 26 Further reading 30 References 30 Pet Advisory Committee 02 Introduction Pets provide people with companionship, comfort and love and offer them a way of making contact with others. As such, pets are not something housing providers can ignore. Many people see their pets as a natural extension of, or a replacement for, a family. People of all ethnic groups, ages and abilities may have pets. There is no limit to the type of person who may have a pet and benefit from that relationship. Pet ownership has risen over the last few decades. Over 6 million households in the UK are now estimated to own dogs; 5.2 million households own cats and 4.7 million households own fish (Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, 2009). Traditional ‘domestic’ pets include dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents and budgerigars but, more recently, there has been a trend for people to keep exotic species such as invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles and birds. The increase in number and variety of species kept has implications for both human and animal welfare. Issues of both health and safety potentially compromise human welfare: injury through bites from dogs and scratches from cats are all causes for concern. Even small mammals can cause problems by escaping and chewing wiring, causing a potential fire hazard. The noise and smell of pets can also disturb neighbours and all of these are therefore issues for housing providers. In recent years, the different issues involved in keeping animals has become of increasing concern to housing providers and the community as a whole. This ‘Housing Provider Resource’ updates the previous booklet published jointly by PATHWAY and PAC (Pet Advisory Committee) in July 2007. The work in this area has now been taken over solely by PAC, which has set up a dedicated sub-group on pets and housing to take this work forward. Dogs Trust acts as Secretariat and can be contacted via [email protected]. For further information on the work of PAC please go to www.petadvisory.org.uk. In 2004, Pathway carried out a survey of over 1,100 housing directors and officers from local authorities and housing associations across the UK. The results of the survey form the basis of this innovative pack. Covering all types of pets from dogs, cats and rabbits to spiders, snakes and snails, the pack gives expert advice in a number of essential areas. These include: n important points to consider when putting a pet policy together n how to deal with unauthorised pets and residents who ignore the rules n detailed guidance on how many animals to allow in any given home n how to tackle or minimise common problems, such as fouling, noise, damage and strays n a brief summary of the most important laws concerning pets and their owners n case studies of good practice n a sample pet policy that you can amend to suit your own needs. This resource is free – you can download it from the PAC website at www.petadvisory.org.uk www.petadvisory.org.uk Printed copies can be requested from [email protected] 03 Pet ownership has also been shown to benefit older adults. The role of pets in society – Age can bring reduced mobility and independence, as well as the benefits and the drawbacks a smaller social group, as the number of friends and relatives decreases. This can lead to elderly people growing more isolated and lonely, which can affect both psychological Perhaps dogs and cats are the most obvious pets because and physical health. Looking after another creature can they are the ones we usually see out and about with their give elderly people a role and identity, while having a pet owners. However, many other species are kept, such provides someone to talk to and confide in, a topic of as guinea-pigs, rabbits, goldfish, hamsters, budgerigars conversation and point of interest for others. and even horses. Some of these animals are kept indoors and some are outdoor pets. Just as varied Pets can also improve their owners’ health. These benefits are the types of people who are pet owners. are not restricted to those who own dogs and walk several miles a day. In fact, studies suggest that interacting with a New animal welfare legislation – the Animal friendly animal, or even watching a tank of fish, can help Welfare Act 2006 in England and Wales and reduce blood pressure and increase feelings of relaxation. the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006 in Other studies (by Anderson et al, 1992, and Friedman et Scotland – has revolutionised animal welfare in the al, 1980) suggest that pet ownership can help prevent heart UK because it introduces a duty of care on any person disease and aid recovery from heart attacks. keeping an animal to ensure that they look after it properly. For example, it is now a legal requirement for pet owners Because they reduce the strains of modern living on our to ensure their pet has: physical and psychological health, pets should clearly be welcomed. Welcoming pets can arguably increase n a proper diet (food and water) productivity and reduce health service expenditure as well n protection from pain, suffering, injury or disease as generally improving the society in which we live. n the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns n a suitable environment to live in with or apart from Drawbacks of pet ownership other animals This list is not exhaustive and when putting together your Pet ownership also has disadvantages. These can take pet policy and accompanying guidance, you should consult various forms, but are basically related to the concept of the relevant legislation and codes of practice. There is no responsible pet ownership. The responsible pet owner will doubt that these new laws will have a significant effect on take a number of steps to ensure a pet’s well-being. tackling cruelty and neglect. See ‘Animals and the law’ n They will ensure that the pet fits in with their lifestyle, on page 14. physical abilities and environment: for example, a dog would not be a suitable pet for someone who is The benefits of pet ownership housebound but fish, a rabbit or a budgerigar may well be. n They will house their pet properly and securely, for Many studies have examined the psychological and example in a cage, tank or garden. physiological benefits that pets can bring to their owners n They will keep the animal in a manner that ensures its and books have even been written on the subject (for physical and psychological well-being, so that it is not example Robinson, 1995, and Dono & Ormerod, 2005). stressed when left alone and therefore does not create a Over the last 40 years, British society has changed radically. noise nuisance or become destructive. Life is lived at a much faster pace and there has been a dramatic change in our working lives, with many of us n They will not have so many pets that there are issues of changing jobs and locations several times during our life. overcrowding with potential health implications for both This has led to a fracturing of the family, with the family animals and humans. unit becoming smaller and more physically distant from n They will also ensure that an animal is appropriately relatives, such as grandparents, brothers and sisters. This trained – this is particularly important in the case of in turn has led to a general decrease in social support dogs – and that the training takes into consideration the Pet Advisory Committee mechanisms for some people and an increase in social feelings of others, for example by training the dog not isolation. Over the same period, pet ownership has to approach anyone without permission and then to sit increased substantially and people from all sections of rather than jump up in greeting. society are now pet owners. With some thought, consideration and informed advice, Research has shown that for children, pet ownership under there is no reason why pet ownership cannot be a pleasure responsible adult supervision can help develop social skills, for the owner and a neutral, if not pleasurable, experience social and moral responsibility, empathy and a caring and for the wider community. nurturing attitude to others. Pets can provide a child with a friend and confidant and can increase confidence and self Perhaps the only drawback of responsible pet ownership esteem. They can also act as an ice breaker, giving the child is that pets tend to live shorter lives than humans. The a shared interest with their friends and so increasing their exceptions to this are parrots and tortoises, which regularly social support network. reach 80 years of age. 04 Your policy should also detail any restrictions and control Formulating a pet policy – of animals, as well as their owners’ legal obligations and what to consider responsibilities.