Keeping Pets in Your HomeA Guide for A1 Tenants

Introduction

2 | www.a1housing.co.uk

A1 Housing recognises that keeping pets can offer significant benefits to their owners, and we are happy for you to keep certain types of animals, as long as they are appropriate for your type of home.

However, irresponsible ownership can cause nuisance and affect the quality of life for other residents in an area. It is also recognised that some of our dwellings may not be suitable for pets such as cats and dogs and in some circumstances may be designated ‘pet free’.

This leaflet provides you with information you should consider before having a pet and also what you must do when you have one.

Before you get your pet

We are happy for you to keep domesticated pets at the property, eg: dogs, cats, caged birds, hamsters, rabbits or fish. You may only keep a reasonable number of such pets and they must be suitable for the type of home that you live in.

• To keep an animal in a flat or maisonette you must first have our written permission.

• Pets are generally not permitted in Supported Housing properties managed by the Supported Housing Team.

You must not keep any animal which is unsuitable, including: • Dangerous Dogs (as classified under the Dangerous Dogs

Act 1991)• All wild animals• All poisonous insects and spiders• All poisonous snakes and snakes longer than 60cms• All poisonous fish, crocodiles and alligators • All livestock such as horses, sheep, cattle and fowl

You should also consider:

• The cost of keeping an animal including pet insurance• Animals need regular exercise. Can you provide this?• The need to make arrangements to care for your pet when

you go on holiday

tel: 0800 590 542 | 3

Keeping your pets

4 | www.a1housing.co.uk

You choose to keep your pet and you are fully responsible for the welfare, care and control of your pet at all times.

You are not allowed to breed (either for commercial or non-commercial reasons) or offer any animal for sale from an A1 managed property.

Any evidence of mistreating or neglect of any animal will be reported to the RSPCA and we will also consider not allowing you to keep any pets in future.

Knowingly not looking after your pet properly is a criminal offence under The Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The keeping of pets is covered by your Tenancy Agreement with us and if your break our rules you may also face enforcement action, which could include eviction.

Dogs - must be kept on a lead at all times when in public areas, and should not cause nuisance (eg excessive barking or showing aggression) to anyone in the local area. It is the law that you must clear up any mess if your dog fouls in a public area. Not knowing the dog has fouled or not having anything to clear the mess away is not a defence. Bassetlaw District Council takes dog fouling very seriously and you could be issued a fixed penalty notice of £50 if you fail to clean up after your pet.

If you refuse to accept a penalty notice the Council will not hesitate to prosecute.

You must know where your dog is at all times and it should wear a collar and tag showing the name and address of the owner.

We encourage you to have your dog permanently identified by microchip or tattoo.

Cats - We encourage you to have your cat permanently identified by a vet.

You must keep your cat(s) under control at all times and ensure that they do not cause nuisance to others, or wander freely on communal balconies or walkways

Caged Birds - Their cage should be large enough for them to spread their wings fully in any direction, and allow them enough space to perch. Cages should be cleaned regularly.You should also allow them to regularly exercise freely in your home, ensuring that they cannot escape.

Pigeons or aviary birds kept outside - Before we give permission you must be able to show us that you can provide adequate facilities for the birds, and that you can look after them properly.

tel: 0800 590 542 | 5

6 | www.a1housing.co.uk

Small reptiles, and snakes etc - We would not recommend the keeping of these type of animal in our dwellings as they need specialised care and living conditions.

Before we allow you to keep this type of pet we would ask you to show us how you will meet the care and welfare needs of the animal.

Fowls and other similar types of livestock - We do not normally allow tenants to keep these types of animals in our properties.

Disability assistance animals - Most of the time these are specially trained dogs, and these are allowed to be kept. However, we would ask that you contact us so that we can keep a note that you have an assistance animal, and offer you whatever support or assistance that is necessary. If you are unsure whether you will be able to keep a particular animal in your dwelling you must speak to us before obtaining the pet.

If unique or exceptional circumstance suggest we should depart from our normal rules we will consider your application on its own individual merits

Nuisance and enforcement

Making a complaint - We will acknowledge your complaint in writing. We will tell you the name of the Neighbourhood Housing Officer who will be investigating your complaint and agree an action plan with you on how we will try to resolve the complaint.

This outlines the action we will take against any tenant who does not keep their pet according to our rules:

Straying and fouling - If you allow your pet to stray unattended, or to foul and do not clear their mess, we will give you a written warning.

Excessive noise - If pets, in particular dogs, cause noise nuisance by barking, howling or scratching, then you must immediately make attempts to stop them doing so. You can get help and advice from a vet, or the Council’s dog warden or other appropriate expert. We will also consider giving you a written warning.

Flea and vermin infestation - You must keep your home clean and tidy and free from animal mess, fleas or vermin, so as not to cause a nuisance or endanger health. If you fail to keep your home clean and tidy you must put things right immediately and seek any help you need. We may also give you a written warning.

tel: 0800 590 542 | 7

8 | www.a1housing.co.uk

Pets that are or could be aggressive - If we think your pet may threaten, frighten or harm other people and stop them going about their business or enjoying their home, you must put things right at once. You should seek advice from a vet, dog warden or other expert. We will send give you a written warning. If you cannot keep the animal under control, or where we think a particular type or breed of animal is inappropriate to where you live, we may tell you to re-home the pet.

Other activities that could breach your tenancy agreement include:

• Allowing pets to wander unattended in communal areas, landings and walkways;

• Allowing pets to urinate or foul in communal areas;• Failing to keep dogs on a lead in communal areas

Please note: In all of the above cases if the problem continues we will consider taking legal action against you for breach of your tenancy agreement. This could mean you have to re-home the pet or you could end up losing your tenancy.

Further information

If you think any animal is being deliberately mistreated, or is at risk you should first report your concerns to the RSPCA 24 hour National Cruelty Hotline – 0300 1234 999, before speaking to us.

Stray dogs should be reported to Bassetlaw District Council’s Dog Warden service on 01909 533 533 or online at: www.bassetlaw.gov.uk

PDSA

The PDSA is a charity which runs animal clinics to provide veterinary care for sick animals owned by low income households.

PDSA Head Office Whitechapel WayPriorsleeTelfordShropshire TF2 9PQ Phone: 01952 290999 Website: www.pdsa.org.uk

tel: 0800 590 542 | 9

10 | www.a1housing.co.uk

Cats Protection

Cats protection is a charity which provides advice on cat care, runs a rescue service and a service to find new homes for cats. It may provide financial assistance with neutering cats.

Phone: 08702 099 099Website: www.cats.org.uk

Dogs Trust

The Dogs Trust is a dog welfare charity providing advice on all aspects of dog ownership. It runs 15 centres across the UK for dogs looking for new homes. It campaigns on animal welfare issues, and runs education programmes. It subsidises neutering and provides free micro-chipping in certain areas.

Dogs Trust Head Office 17 Wakley StreetLondon EC1V 7RQ

Phone: 020 7837 0006website: www.dogstrust.org.uk

Local Information

Bassetlaw District Council Dog Warden Service Phone: 01909 533219Website: www.bassetlaw.gov.uk

Offers general advice and help if you cannot look after your dog and you are considering rehoming it.

Mayflower Animal SanctuaryRescues abused and abandoned dogs and cats providing care and sanctuary until permanent responsible homes can be found.

Phone: 01302 711330Website: www.mayflowersanctuary.co.uk

Thornberry Animal SanctuaryRescues and aims to rehome abandoned and abused dogs,puppies, cats, kittens, horses, goats and rabbits

Phone: 01909 564399 (Thursdays 11am-3pm only)Website: www.thornberry-animal-sanctuary.org.uk Other local pet rescue services and sanctuaries are available. Please contact Bassetlaw District Council (contact as above) for more information.

tel: 0800 590 542 | 11

Providing Quality Homes & Neighbourhoods