'Pet-Friendly Paw-licy' highlights barriers to accessing safe accommodation and support.
Animal welfare organisations and housing groups have joined forces with Jack Sargeant MS to highlight the importance of keeping homeless people with their pets.
The Member of the Senedd for Alyn and Deeside has submitted the ‘Pet-Friendly Paw-licy’ to the Welsh Government, which is focussed on the importance of supporting homeless people with dogs to access safe accommodation.
The report highlights the barriers facing homeless pet owners and recommends a number of steps to increase the available options for accommodation and support, including the creation of a 'pet-friendly officer'.
It follows discussions with the Dogs Trust, the RSPCA, homelessness charities The Wallich and Shelter Cymru, Cymorth Cymru (the umbrella body for providers of homelessness support in Wales), and the National Residential Landlord’s Association.
Mr Sargeant said: “My involvement in this was inspired by a conversation with a homeless man about his pet. His story about not being able to access accommodation and keep his dog really struck a chord with me.
“I hope the Welsh Government will act on our recommendations and create a position for a pet-friendly officer to increase accommodation and support options for pet owners by working with accommodation providers across Wales.”
Under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, local authorities must produce a homelessness strategy. Research by the RSPCA, however, found that no currently published strategy makes references to pets or animal welfare.
Welcoming the report, RSPCA public affairs advisor, Lewis Clark, said: "We urge the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and providers of accommodation for homeless people to ensure the fear of losing pets is not providing a barrier to vulnerable individuals accessing services.
“Sadly, many people currently face the harrowing choice of having to abandon pets to access services - which can be a catastrophic decision for them and the animal.”
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.
