Tenancy reforms receive a warm vet welcome

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) welcomed the Victorian Government’s recent announcement that it will make renting fairer, ending discrimination against renters with pets.

Paula Parker, president of the AVA, said the body had been contributed to the Government’s review, and had advocated for more pet-friendly accommodation.

“There needs to be enough appropriate pet­friendly options to accommodate those with pets, and those wanting to keep a pet in the future,” Parker said.

“Our research has revealed that while 62 per cent of Australians are pet owners, an analysis of over 25,000 homes recently listed for rent across Australia showed that only 19 per cent were willing to take pets. In some regions, such as the Melbourne CBD, this was as low as one per cent,” she said.

Policies which make it difficult for pet owners to find housing is a key factor in forcing the surrender of pets to animal welfare shelters, contributing to unnecessary shelter euthanasia statistics, Parker said.

“In Europe, Canada, United Kingdom and the USA, keeping pets in strata and rental accommodation is common practice and we would like this to be the case in Australia.”

The AVA said it looked forward to the implementation of reforms, and will continue to work with governments across Australia for more adequate, pet-friendly housing.

You can read the AVA’s submission into the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 here.

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