There Are Growing Calls to Allow Pets in Rental Properties and Public Spaces

Considering fur babies.

Calls to allow pets in rental properties, shops, restaurants and motels are growing in Australia due to the current rental crisis and the impact that the pandemic has had on our furry friends' mental health.

With the COVID-19 pandemic stopping people from leaving the country, more of us have been forced to look for temporary or rental accommodation than we’ve seen in the past.

This increase in demand for rental housing in Australia has seen rent prices skyrocket, making it even more difficult for tenants to find a place that suits their budget or lifestyle.

Unfortunately, the problem is even harder for those with companion animals at home as currently, keeping pets in a rental property is completely up to the landlord’s discretion and in most cases, the answer is a hard no.

The lack of flexibility from landlords is forcing many pet owners to make the devastating choice of either surrendering their pets to shelters or in extreme cases euthanising their animals, or ending up homeless for a period of time.

Shelter supervisor of the Lost Dogs Home in Victoria Allie Small told the ABC that while many people have been adopting animals in need over lockdown periods, she has seen a 30 per cent rise of pets being returned.

Due to this, many animal rescues around the country are urging Australians not to adopt a pet just because they’re in lockdown, as it may not fit in with their life post-pandemic.

According to the Courier Mail, a lack of proper accommodation was the second-highest reason for dogs being surrendered to shelters and the third highest reason for cats in Queensland between 2019 and 2020.

The Animal Welfare League QLD are pushing for legislation to change to allow tenants to have more options to keep pets.

"We want people who have pets to be treated fairly. There are irresponsible renters still out there whether they have pets or not," Animal Welfare League Queensland's strategic director Joy Verrinder said.

The Greens Queensland have proposed a new bill to allow renters to apply for homes with pets.

Comparatively, Victoria and the ACT have had big wins for renters with pets in the past. Specifically, Victorian tenants can keep pets at a rental with written permission of the landlord, however, landlords can only refuse permission with approval from the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), and Queenslanders are gunning for similar rules.

"The bill essentially says that tenants have a right to keep their pets, but they must still apply to their landlord. A landlord can refuse but they must provide legitimate reason to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal," Ms Verrinder explained.

The bill put forward will shift the burden onto landlords instead of renters, which would work out great for tenants so that they don't have to choose between housing and their fur baby.

On top of changing the rules for renters, many people are calling for dogs and other animals to be allowed in more public places.

In an article by the ABC last month, Vetern dog trainer Heather Northover urged governments to pick up similar legislation as Europe and the US when it comes to pets.

"Ultimately, what I'd like to see is Australia start to move down the same pathways that we see in Europe and America where dogs are really considered part of the family,” she said.

"People tend to live with their dogs inside, they go down the street with them, they go to cafes, they stay in hotels with their dogs.

"Here in Australia, that doesn't happen very much because people tend to get a puppy and then when it's not cute anymore, it goes outside and it learns to just look after itself."

The calls come due to the heightened separation anxiety that pets are feeling since their owners are going back to normal life at the end of a COVID-19 lockdown period.

Currently in Queensland, dogs are allowed at food businesses, only if that business allows it, and only in outdoor dining areas (different rules apply for assistance animals).

There are also varied rules about public transport and keeping dogs on a lead at all times, but you can check out your local rules on your area’s state government website.

Header Image: Jamie Street via Unsplash.