1. Can you please provide the criteria required to keep a pet within your supported housing and how it aligns with animal welfare. Are you advised by an appointed Animal Warden and if so, are they suitably educated?

The WBC Housing Service does have specific supported housing in our stock, we have Sheltered Schemes for those aged 55 and over and as a service we encourage independent living. Sheltered Housing at WBC consists of flats and bungalows.

We have recently reviewed and renewed our Pet Policy working in conjunction with our Involved Tenants and the policy was approved and signed off in June 2023 by the appropriate stakeholders.

The criteria/conditions for keeping pets within Sheltered Housing are as follows:
3.1 WBC will normally give permission for a pet, subject to the following conditions:
3.2 The resident completes and signs a Pets Agreement.
3.3 Tenants/Leaseholders are responsible for the behaviour of any pets owned by themselves or by anyone living with or visiting them. It is important that pets are supervised and kept under control, to not cause nuisance or annoyance to neighbours, visitors, or WBC staff/contractors.
3.4 This includes fouling, noise (i.e., excessive barking) and unpleasant odours from pets, any fouling in communal spaces and walkways should be cleaned up immediately. Animals should be accompanied in communal areas and outdoors unless the resident has a private garden. Dogs should be kept on leads in communal areas and walkways.
Dogs must not be allowed to roam or foul in play areas or sports grounds.
Dog owners must be mindful of the dogs need for walks/exercise and be able to manage this.
If cats are allowed free access outside, then steps must be taken to ensure they do not cause nuisance to neighbours.
3.5 For the welfare of the animal, pets must not be left unattended for a period of time that will result in the owner being unable to meet its welfare needs, as defined under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (section 4). The RSPCA encourages that dogs should not be left alone in a property for more than four hours.
3.6 It is important that dogs are kept on a short lead in common areas, shared gardens, and grounds, and should not be left outside a resident’s property unaccompanied.
3.7 When WBC staff/contractors visit a property, they may request that dogs be kept on a lead, preferably in a separate room from any meeting or works taking place. If this is not possible then the meeting/visit/repair may not be able to take place.
3.8 If a resident becomes unable to take care of a pet (either temporarily or permanently) and alternative care has not been arranged, the Council may arrange for the removal of the animal, for which the resident may be recharged. The RSPCA will be contacted.
3.9 If outside accommodation for a pet is required, other than a hutch or pen for small mammals, written permission will; need to be applied for by completing a ‘Landlords Consent form. Consent must be obtained before it is built. An application must include plans of the proposed construction and details of the species to be kept. Any outdoor accommodation/ hutches/ exercise structures must be no more than 2.5 metres high, as anything over this would be likely to unfairly affect neighbouring residents and would require planning permission.
3.10 To ensure the safety of residents, properties with fire doors (including communal areas) must not have cat flaps fitted.
3.11 Residents must first obtain permission if “pet sitting” a dog or cat for more than 4 weeks.
3.12 Neutering/spaying of cats and dogs is not required by law, but we would strongly advise that any dogs or cats you wish to keep as a pet are neutered/spayed. Always contact your vet or RSPCA for advice.
3.13 The Housing Service does not allow the breeding of any animal on your property.
3.13 Pet permission is not commonly granted in temporary accommodation due to the nature of the accommodation. Also, pets can complicate housing options and increase financial burden for the household. We will review this on a case-by-case basis though, to see if we are able to accommodate them.
3.14 Residents are encouraged to contact WBC Housing Management if they have any pet queries (both pet owners or tenants or residents with concerns about pets).
3.15 It is important that the number of pets kept is appropriate in relation to the size of property and location (i.e., not having lots of large animals, or several animals in a small dwelling or if the resident lives in a higher-level flat, away from the ground floor, where a lift would be required to exit the building).
3.16 Any flea or vermin infestation linked to a pet is the responsibility of the owner to rectify. If the Housing Service undertake this work the cost will be recharged to the tenant.
3.17 Tenants need to be aware large dogs and large fish tanks do add significant moisture to an unventilated property and therefore could increase the likelihood of condensation forming.
3.18 Dogs must be kept on a lead in all communal areas. This includes any visitors who bring a dog to your property.

The WBC Housing Service works in conjunction with the anti-social behaviour unit who have a specialist Animal Warden in post.

WBC has an appointed Animal Warden, however, WBC does not have an appointed Animal Welfare Inspector, the RSPCA reside over Animal Welfare concerns in the borough with the assistance of the animal warden where necessary and appropriate.

With regards to the qualifications of WBC’s Animal Warden, though qualified in Canine Behaviour and Psychology, is not an appointed Animal Welfare Inspector and does not give training advice to the public.