Your pet or your home campaign
Your pet or your home?
No one should have to sleep rough because they refuse to abandon the pet they love
SIGN THE PETITIONNo one should have to choose between a safe place to sleep and the pet they love.
But that’s what’s happening.
Fewer than one in ten hostels in the UK allow pets. So when someone experiencing homelessness is offered accommodation by their local authority, their pet will most likely not be allowed.
Many people would rather sleep rough than separate from their companion animal. They will risk their safety, stability and health to stay together.
We’re calling on the government to end this impossible choice. They must bring temporary and emergency housing in line with the private rented sector, and make it pet-friendly by default.
The facts
- Fewer than 1 in 10 hostels are dog-friendly.
- 77% of accommodation providers receive requests to accommodate pets.
- 93% of people experiencing homelessness would rather sleep rough than give up a beloved pet for a safe place to stay.
Andy sells the Big Issue in Brighton with his dog Charm.
“Charm, she’s a dog, but she’s not just a dog to me. She’s my best mate, my emotional support animal, my work colleague. She’s there for me when times are hard, and you’re not going to give that up, you know. If that means staying homeless, then 90% of the boys will end up staying homeless.”
Sign our petition to add your voice to our call to re-write the rules.
We’re pushing the government to end this impossible choice. The Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, must make temporary and emergency housing pet-friendly by default.
The government will only be able to keep their promise to end rough sleeping if they make sure emergency housing keeps people and their pets together.
The evidence for change
Research shows that a majority of people would prefer to remain homeless than separate from a beloved pet. A pet can be a lifeline for someone going through homelessness. A source of stability during a time of crisis, a comfort when life is at its hardest.
In England, the demand for emergency housing which welcomes pets far outstrips supply. This imbalance is a huge barrier to pet owners accessing safe accommodation, who are forced to choose between a bed and their pet.
In many cases, this choice pushes people to sleep rough. Sleeping rough can be both dangerous and isolating, with devastating consequences for people’s health and safety. It can trap people in a cycle of crisis that is difficult to escape.
Why pets matter
For many people experiencing homelessness, a pet is family. Sometimes, they’re the only family someone has.
Pets ease loneliness and help people connect with others. They offer unconditional affection, which might be the only reason someone feels like they matter. And they give people a reason to keep going, to access support services for both themselves and their pet.
Having pets is known to make it easier for people to engage with support and take the steps they need to move beyond homelessness. They must be part of the solution to ending homelessness.
How would pet-friendly accommodation work?
Making emergency accommodation pet-friendly is practical and manageable. It’s already being done in lots of places.
Evidence from temporary accommodation in the UK shows that when pets are welcomed, residents and staff rarely report problems. Staff say keeping people and their pets together can help them move on from homelessness. It’s clear that the risks and costs are small compared with the benefits.
With the right rules and support, pet-friendly accommodation can work. Clear pet agreements, expectations around behaviour and cleaning, access to veterinary care and temporary care arrangements can help manage any risks. These simple steps can bring bring real benefits for people and their pets alike.
Our Work
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