Overview

This bill aims to establish a right for people to keep dogs and other domestic animals in rented or temporary accommodation in England, while also outlining provisions for animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. It introduces a system of certificates and exceptions to ensure responsible animal keeping and protects landlords in certain situations.

Description

The bill grants a general right to keep dogs and other domestic animals in rented or temporary accommodation in England, overriding existing contract restrictions (Section 1). However, this right is subject to exceptions (Section 2). Exceptions include situations where the animal owner lacks a "Certificate of Responsible Animal Guardianship" (Section 3), demonstrating responsible care, animal health, and appropriate training (especially for dogs). Landlords can obtain "Certificates of Exemption" (Section 4) if they have religious or medical reasons or if the accommodation is unsuitable. The Secretary of State will create regulations for both certificates.

Larger landlords (defined by turnover and sector) must annually publish statements detailing their efforts to support animal welfare in their properties (Section 5). The bill mandates microchipping of dogs and cats in England, creating a national database accessible to veterinary surgeons for verification of ownership and responsible guardianship (Section 6). The bill covers England and Wales, with some provisions coming into effect 90 days after passage. Regulations under the bill will be made by statutory instrument, requiring parliamentary approval.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify exact figures for government spending. However, costs will arise from establishing the system of certificates, creating and maintaining the national pet database, and producing related regulations and guidance. The exact financial impact remains to be determined.

Groups Affected

• Tenants: Gain a legal right to keep pets, subject to responsible ownership requirements. Failure to meet the requirements could lead to restrictions.
• Landlords: May face limitations on their ability to ban pets, but can seek exemptions in specific circumstances. They also have new reporting requirements.
• Animal Owners: Must meet stricter requirements for responsible pet ownership, potentially incurring costs for microchipping, vaccinations, training, and certification.
• Veterinary Surgeons: Assume new responsibilities regarding microchip scanning, database access, and certificate issuance.
• Homeless Shelters/Halfway Houses: These temporary accommodations will need to accommodate the new pet rights, potentially impacting their capacity and resources.

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