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New law set to give renters right to request pet
Under the new legislation, landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse a request to keep a pet.
Long-promised reform could help reduce number of pets rehomed.

Renters could soon get the right to request to keep a pet under a new Renters’ Rights Bill announced by the government.

As part of the proposed law, landlords will have to consider any requests and will be unable to unreasonably refuse them. Landlords will be able to require that the tenant’s pet insurance covers any damage to the property.

The rules are similar to measures which the previous government had planned to introduce. However, the legislation failed to make its way through Parliament before the general election.

According to animal rehoming charities, not being able to find pet-friendly rental accommodation is a regular factor in people having to relinquish their pet.  

Dogs Trust has reported that around 15 per cent of people contacting them about rehoming their dog mention accommodation issues, while Cats Protection has said that it takes in at least three cats a day because of landlords not allowing them in their property.

Research by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection found that while 46 per cent of landlords say they allow pets, just 30 per cent of tenants say their landlord would allow a dog in the property.

Both charities have welcomed the new legislation, as has the RSPCA.

Harriet Main, the RSPCA’s public affairs manager, said: "This is a potentially exciting day for many prospective pet owners in England - who have been unfairly denied the chance to own a pet purely because of living in rental accommodation.

“We also know many existing pet owners have also faced the heartbreaking prospect of having to rehome their animals to access certain accommodation - and hopefully that will soon be a thing of the past.

“Pets should absolutely be allowed to live with their owners in suitable, rented accommodation – unless there is a justifiable reason not to do so. The RSPCA hopes this new law will not only help keep loving owners and their pets together; but open up pet ownership to millions of people living in the private rented sector.”

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."