Charity reacts to Scottish Government’s new Housing Bill.
Dogs Trust is calling on the Scottish Government to protect the rights of pet owners in the proposed Housing Bill.
The charity has responded to the First Minister for Scotland – the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP – who yesterday (7 September) outlined plans for a new Housing Bill by the end of this parliamentary year.
The legislation includes a freeze on rents in the public and private sector until March 2023 and a moratorium on evictions, meaning renters cannot be forced to leave their homes by landlords.
Dogs Trust head of public affairs Claire Calder welcomed the measures but called on Nicola Sturgeon to ensure pet owner rights are included to make it easier for tenants to keep pets in their rented homes.
“We are currently experiencing record numbers of people needing to hand their dogs over to us,” said Claire. “One of the reasons people are making this heart-breaking decision is that, as that rent and energy bills have increased, people are being forced to move home to reduce their bills but are finding it incredibly difficult to find dog-friendly accommodation.
“For most dog owners, being separated from their dog is no different from being separated from a family member, so the addition of pet-friendly policies in the Housing Bill will help ensure that fewer owners are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their beloved pets.”
Dogs Trust has been supporting dog owners who are homeless or in a housing crisis for more than 25 years through its Hope Project. Through the scheme, Dogs Trust provides access to free vet care for dog owners across the UK.
Claire added: “Through our work on the Hope Project with dog owners who are experiencing homelessness or in housing crisis, we know how important it is that pet-friendly housing is available at every step of the housing pathway so that owners can move through without having to be parted from their pet.
“Dogs Trust has been providing advice and resources to pet owners, landlords and letting agencies for more than a decade through our Lets with Pets scheme. We welcome the opportunity to work alongside the Scottish Government and other animal welfare organisations on the details of the Housing Bill to ensure it will effect real change in helping keep people and their pets together.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
