Pets provide companionship and support to many Territorians, with 82% of Territorians caring for a family pet. Half of all Territorians live in rental homes. They should be allowed to keep their pets in their rented homes.

Pets bring a sense of responsibility, routine and joy to so many families, and provide companionship to the elderly and those living alone, especially during this time of isolation.

Sadly RSPCA Darwin and other rehoming groups receive pets that Territorians have no choice but to abandon because they are unable to take their pet to their new rental home. In the COVID-19 crisis, if you have to move home you may have the added stress of not being able to have your pet in your new home. 

This could be avoided if the Government keeps its promise and allows tenants to keep their pets in their rented homes. Owners would still be allowed to have a say, they just have to act reasonably.

On 18 February the NT Parliament passed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act and they were due to take effect by the start of April. They can only take effect when the Government presents the new law to the Administrator. This hasn’t happened and is highly usual. All other Acts passed by Parliament in February have proceeded to the Administrator and become law.

RSPCA Darwin has contacted the Chief Minister The Hon. Michael Gunner MLA and the Attorney General The Hon. Natasha Fyles MLA to ask them why. They haven’t responded.

We are concerned that these widely supported changes (which bring the NT into line with many other Australian States) will not proceed despite being passed by the Parliament. These laws protect renters, their pets, and provide landlords with the right to object on reasonable grounds.

We are calling on the Northern Territory Government to present the changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to the Administrator so that the law can start now.