With an estimated 30.4 million pets and two thirds of households experiencing the joys and health benefits of having a companion animal, it’s no surprise we consider pets as family. Some people see their pets like their children.
In fact, according to a Suncorp bank study of people looking for their next home, more than half of Australians (51%) consider their pets more important than proximity to family (46%) and friends (39%) when buying a house.
The tragic reality is, however, that many pet owners are having to make the agonising choice between having a roof over their heads or keeping their beloved companion animal. This is because pet rentals are not regulated in many states, such as Queensland, Western Australia or Tasmania, where landlords are able to refuse applications with pets for no good reason.
According to rental property website Rent.com.au, less than 10% of rental properties are advertised as pet friendly – contributing to thousands of animals being surrendered every year!
Read my article in Pet Industry News about Australia’s pet rental crisis, not just in the pandemic.
