I would like to stop the amount of animals and pets forced into foster, rescues or even sadly onto the streets because of unforeseen, unnecessary change in family’s and tenants circumstances due to landlords refusing pets in rented housing. Pets are part of a family and when trained by responsible adults and looked after well cause no more damage to a property than that of young children or toddlers etc. Even responsible adults can cause damage knowingly. If a pet is neutered, trained, vaccinated and insured why would you doubt the owners intentions of keeping a property well maintained also? 

As a pet owner myself, and being a follower of many cat and dog rescues I feel it is sad and unnecessary for a part of your family is not welcomed to move with you freely as a paying tenant as long as you can ensure the pet is cared for then the rented home would be too. 

Instead of refusing to allow pets point blank, I believe a responsible pet owner should be able to keep their loving pets and take them wherever they may go, and if landlords are unsure, then to charge a pet fee for any damages, or for the owner to provide 6 monthly proof, before and during rental,  that the pet is vaccinated, wormed, flead, has sufficient supervision to avoid damage to property when at work, is neutered and insured. 

Animal rescues are overwhelmed with pets that have been put into their care due to unforeseen circumstances, a pet is part of the family and should be treated that way. Pets bring happiness and companionship in the elderly, sick, lonely etc. They should not be forced out of loving families due to renting especially when you are a paying tenant. 

Owning your own home is also challenging and most people rely on renting as they are unable to afford to save for mortgages, renting tenants should have the joy of a pet in their family and the freedom of owning a pet, if a tenant is paying the rent and a responsible owner why not?!