Cats Protection, the UK’s largest cat charity, launches new campaign looking for Purrfect Landlords, offering free guidance to landlords and letting agents to help more people living in rented housing own a pet cat.
RESEARCH by the charity has revealed that finding cat-friendly housing is one of the top five reasons why cats are being handed into the charity’s adoption centres over the past 12 months. Research also shows that only 40% of private landlords in the south-east allow tenants to keep a cat.
Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy & Government Relations, said: “More and more people are renting their homes either by choice or necessity, yet very few rented properties accept cats. This means tenants are missing out on being able to own a cat, while landlords may be losing out on attracting responsible and settled tenants.
“We hear from renters who tell us most adverts state ‘no pets’. Often, the reason for not allowing cats is simply habit, with a third of UK landlords who don’t accept cats saying they didn’t proactively choose to ban cats, but instead followed a standard template or advice from a letting agent.
“The aim of Cats Protection’s Purrfect Landlords campaign is to transform renting so that responsible cat ownership benefits both landlords and tenants – happy landlords, happy tenants, happy cats.”
Broadcaster, writer and Cats Protection supporter Andrew Collins is backing the Purrfect Landlords campaign.
He said: “Cats are more than just much-loved pets, they’re part of the family and the heart of the home. For me, a home without a cat isn’t a home at all! They’ve got an important role to play in the lives of many people – from helping children understand about caring for others to providing a lifeline to pensioners who may otherwise feel isolated and lonely.
“It’s heart-breaking that so many renters are not able to own a cat but this needn’t be the case. Cats Protection’s Purrfect Landlords campaign is a major step forward in modernising how cat ownership is viewed in a rental market many people now rely on. By helping landlords see the benefits of happy, settled tenants, we can help more tenants experience the joy of sharing their lives with a feline friend.”
The charity has launched a new website full of guidance for landlords and tenants about allowing cats into their properties and addressing any concerns.
For more information on the campaign, click here:
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