Rescue centres are “full” of animals who have been handed over because their owners are banned from keeping pets by their new landlords. 

With a severe shortage of rental accommodation and surging house prices across the country, many people have no choice but to move into homes where the landlord bans pets. 

These include properties under the jurisdiction of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and Cork County Council has approved a motion, urging the Department of Housing to reconsider the rule. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, My Lovely Horse rescue centre founder Martina Kenny said the problem is not just in Cork, but is an issue “all around Ireland”. 

 “It’s terrible, it’s really terrible,” she said. 

“A pet can be a really huge part of your family; it can help mental health, the children can be in bits without it. 

“The family would be in bits without it.” 

A cocker spaniel. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Ms Kenny added that she knows people who have had to give up a pet because their new home bans animals and that she believes such rules are “not fair”. 

“We live in a society where pets are family,” she said. 

“We’re also living in a society of severe cruelty; but on the other side, there are people who absolutely love and adore their pets.” 

While she conceded that pets can mean additional wear and tear on a property, she added that that is the nature of life. 

“Young kids can be very, very hard on a house,” she said. 

“So, I think there should be rules around everything, if your pet wrecks something, you obviously have to replace it. 

“Say it was yourself, if you do something to a house, you have to replace it.

“I just think it’s wrong to say ‘ban’.” 

A young boy and his pet. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Instead, Ms Kenny urged landlords to reconsider blanket bans on pets. 

“I think if your animal is a well-behaved animal and not dangerous, then why not?” she said. 

“It’s part of your family; you’ll know your animal. 

“It should be case by case, without a doubt.

“I think every animal should get a chance.” 

A Yorkshire terrier dog in the sun with flowers. Picture by: byAZ3 / Alamy.

Ms Kenny added that rescue centres are currently “full” of animals and pans on pets in rental accommodation is only adding to the influx. 

“I know of a 15 year old dog that had to be put in a shelter because they couldn’t go to the house,” she said.

“That’s really sad.” 

In Britain, legislation is being considered by Parliament that will ban landlords from including ‘no pets’ clauses in new tenancies.

Main image: A dog in an animal shelter. Picture by: Alamy.com