It surprised me the other day to find one of the larger local social housing agencies did not really have much of a policy on how many animals their tenants could have.
I was checking up on someone one who wanted a couple of cats, lived in a small two up two down in the inner city and already has 2 cats and a dog.
There only policy was 'as long as they didn't cause upset' which, I'm sorry, is just to late really.
If that means that someone can legitimately acquire cats until the neighbours complain, and then suddenly rescues are expected to accommodate 30 cats, then the company are not doing their job.
Its worse than not allowing pets.
The happy medium must be that a limited number of pets are allowed, and must be registered with the agency.
A good agency that really wanted to go the extra mile should also insist that animals are chipped as part of that registration so that animals are not "abandoned" to the neighbourhood and also have a clause that animals must also be neutered as soon as possible with a signed declaration from the vet that this has been done. They should work closely with their local animal rescues.
I know we would welcome the chance to be proactive in this area as would our local CP and RSPCA.
The very least they should do is hand out neutering leaflets with each new tenancy and at regular intervals.
It would save us the job of having to walk the streets posting neutering leaflets when we have other things that need to be done.
If they can run the business, take any profits then this is something that should be managed as well.
Please don't think I am having a go at you because I am not. This is an area that things can be vastly improved on and so easily improved on with one or two motivated people.
and if you are interested, my opinion was in such houses with practically no outside space, 3 pets is enough so please don't shoot me down!
