Rent with Pets program set to change the status paw on rental laws
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Australia is home to 29 million pets with two thirds of households experiencing the joys and health benefits of having a companion animal¹. Yet, less than 10% of rental properties are advertised as pet friendly², contributing to thousands of animals being surrendered every year.

As Australia faces a rental crisis (even before the pandemic), Companion Animal Network Australia’s new Rent with Pets program is set to change the ‘status paw’ on rental laws to allow more renters to experience the joy of the human-animal bond and prevent beloved pets from becoming homeless.

“The Rent with Pets program aims to increase awareness around the surrender of pets to shelters due to difficulty finding pet friendly rental properties, and how we can all help to stop this,” said Trish Ennis, National Executive of Companion Animal Network – Australia (CANA).

“We want to work toward better rental laws in each state to support responsible pet owners and create a national law similar to what Victoria brought in this year.”

CANA is a registered charity representing the companion animal welfare work of member organisations across the country, including Animal Welfare League QLD, Animal Welfare League SA, Lort Smith (VIC), Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania and Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (WA).

The charity celebrates the human-animal bond and promotes responsible pet ownership through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, such as the Rent with Pets program.

Rent with Pets provides information, advice and resources to support tenants and landlords to be responsible pet owner tenants and welcoming landlords, and encourage pet friendly rental laws.

“The Rent with Pets program aims to change attitudes towards pets and renting and increase awareness about responsible pet ownership and landlord/ property managers’ understanding of the opportunities the responsible pet owner can bring to a rental property,” said Ms Ennis. “We can help animal loving Australians create more pet friendly homes by connecting responsible pet owners with pet friendly landlords and property managers. After all, a house isn’t a home without a pet.”

How can you help make a difference?

Visit Rentwithpets.com.au and learn how to work with each other to achieve the goal of no surrenders due to rental refusal.
Sign our pledge and contact your local MP to encourage pet friendly rental laws in your state.
Ask people to become responsible pet owners and help others to do the same. (See our responsible pet ownership checklist here.)
If you’re a landlord or property manager, encourage responsible renting with pets by adding to advertisements ‘will consider pets with references’. (Here are some tips to write a stellar pet resume).
Sign up to Companion Animal Network Tales e-newsletter to join our many supporters for pet friendly homes and be informed.
If you are a tenant, landlord, property manager or animal welfare advocate, tell us your story about renting with pets.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.
Download Rent with Pets resources and share on social media with hashtag #forpetfriendlyhomes to help raise awareness!

About Rent with Pets

Rent with Pets is run by the Companion Animal Network Australia – CANA whose six member agencies aim to make the world a better place for pets through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives.

Rent with Pets was established to create a bridge between responsible pet owners and the nation’s landlords, sharing information that will help them work together for the benefit of companion animals and their families. Rent with Pets aims to increase the number of pet-friendly rental homes to prevent animals from being euthanised or surrendered to shelters due to difficulty finding pet-friendly rental properties. To discover more, visit www.Rentwithpets.com.au

About Companion Animal Network Australia – CANA

Companion Animal Network Australia – CANA comprises six member agencies, each aiming to make the world a better place for pets. Through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, we celebrate the human-animal bond and promote responsible pet ownership. We use our national voice to campaign for the humane treatment of all companion animals and we rally support for programmes that deliver high welfare standards. To discover more, visit https://australiacan.org.au/

Thanks to Caroline Zambano – the Pet Journo

Caroline Zambrano

PetJourno PR

petjourno@gmail.com | 0403 550 730