Over 250,000 animals are taken into UK rescue centres every year. Many are small animals like cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs- often surrendered because of housing issues, financial hardship or personal crisis. In recent years, there has been a surge of pet abandonments, and the RSPCA reported a 25% increase. 

A large proportion of shelter animals are not immediately adoptable and urgently need foster care to reduce stress and improve their chances of adoption. Charity fosterers provide a safe, loving environment for animals too stressed to cope in cages or kennels. Fosterers care for animals with special needs, the elderly or newborns and are crucial to charities. Most animal rescue centres are full or nearly full, and with the rising numbers, there isn't enough space for every animal in need. 

I am proposing that animal fosterers get an exemption to the no pets rules under many rental properties. A 2021 study by Generation Rent found only 7% of private landlords allowed pets without conditions, and animal charities across the UK report that people who apply to foster are later forced to drop out due to pet bans. Battersea estimates that lifting housing restrictions could increase foster homes by over 30%! This is not about letting tenants keep personal pets without limits. This is about allowing regulated, temporary foster care through official rescue charities and making it easier on fosterers who are trying to do a selfless act.

We need to help these poor animals now, as it's only getting worse.