RSPCA Tasmania Newsletter

Spring Edition 

Tenancy laws must change to allow for companion animals...

Pets are integral members of the Australian family unit and, during the unprecedented circumstances of a global pandemic, we’ve become even more attached to our pets.   We have one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world.

The latest figures show 63% of households have pets, and 53% of those who do not currently own a pet would like to own one in the future. Almost all (91%) of pet owners report feeling ‘very close’ to their pet.    

And we know that most people care for their pets as they care for other members of their family; they look after their health and hygiene, exercise and entertainment; they clean up after them and generally care well for them.  

 In these tough times, people’s circumstances can change rapidly – marriages break up, people lose their jobs or have to move for work, or landlords unexpectedly decide to sell their flat.    We’ve all heard about the shortage of rental properties, so finding a good home to rent can be hard enough – but, when you also have a pet, it can be twice as tricky.    

Some landlords are adamant that pets should not be allowed and some apartment bylaws ban all animals – apart from guide dogs – in their buildings.   

Many tenants report that the experience of searching for a pet-friendly house was very stressful and the inability to secure appropriate accommodation left them with a feeling of housing insecurity.   

Every day, some people are having to make a heartbreaking decision to choose between their pets and being homeless, and many families are  forced  to  surrender  their beloved  pets  to  animal  welfare organisations.     

Yet evidence shows pets can be a lower risk option than children, and that pet owners  are  statistically  more  willing  to  sign  a longer  lease. Pet friendliness adds value, which means more applicants and who may be willing to pay a higher rent.    

Personal responsibility, not pet status, is the key. Just  think  about the  number  of million  dollar  properties  that  have  pets  padding the  hallways without any disastrous effects. With the right pet and a responsible tenant, this reality can be true for any rental property.

And legislation is changing to reflect these facts. New laws have been introduced in most states which basically say that tenants are allowed pets in rental properties. There may be provisions for additional small bonds being charged in the case of any damage, but landlords need to accept this.

As well, many apartments are relaxing their bylaws for suitable pets, like small dogs, cats and reptiles.  

 We’re slow to catch up in Tasmania. Under current laws, if landlords in Tasmania allow pets, the tenant must also arrange for fumigation of the property at the end of the lease. Unlike other states, a separate bond can’t be set aside for this, but it can be written as a condition of the rental agreement.   It is time for our laws to be updated to recognise the important roles pets play in all our lives.

Become a foster carer today...

RSPCA's Foster Care Program provides temporary homes to animals who need a helping hand. This might be because these animals are too small or young to be adopted, recovering from illness or surgery, are undergoing rehabilitation or even just finding the shelter environment too stressful. By placing animals into foster homes, it provides them with the care and support they need until they are ready to be adopted into loving forever homes.

Becoming an RSPCA foster carer is an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of some of the state’s most vulnerable animals.

What are the benefits of foster care for animals?

·  Reduced stress and anxiety (which can occur in the shelter environment).

·  Confidence building and socialisation during critical periods

·  Opportunity for training and living in a home prior to adoption

·  Reduces the risk of becoming unwell or being susceptible to contagious diseases

·  Able to let their true personalities shine in a home environment.

How long is foster care?
Every animal has unique needs, but fostering periods generally range from two weeks to six months.

Do you have the time and space to take care of an animal in need? 

What is Socially Conscious Sheltering?

The world of animal sheltering is complex and sometimes controversial, with different and emotional views about what is “best practice”. RSPCA Tasmania is one of a growing number of organisations joining the socially conscious sheltering movement, and we believe it represents the current best practice approach to animal sheltering. 

PLACE EVERY HEALTHY AND SAFE ANIMAL .

Every single one. Healthy means either having no signs of clinical disease or evidence of disease that has a good or excellent prognosis for a comfortable life. Safe means that the animal has not exhibited behavior that is likely to result in severe injury or death to another animal or person.

ENSURE EVERY UNWANTED OR HOMELESS PET HAS A SAFE PLACE TO GO FOR SHELTER AND CARE.

An animal’s opportunity to be nurtured, healed and rehomed should not depend on their age or condition—every community must have a shelter that accepts all animals. It is unacceptable to turn animals away because they are too old, sick or broken.

ASSESS THE MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL NEEDS OF HOMELESS ANIMALS AND ENSURE THESE NEEDS ARE THOUGHTFULLY ADDRESSED.

The health and medical needs of animals housed in shelters and rescues must be assessed for disease and injury and treated so the animal does not suffer. These animals must also have their behavioral needs assessed and met, including enrichment sufficient to make them comfortable and to prevent self-destructive, obsessive-compulsive coping behaviors.

ALIGN SHELTER POLICY WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

Socially Conscious Sheltering is designed to fit the needs of individual communities. Does the community allow trap-neuter-return programs? If so, offer them. Will members of your community adopt animals with chronic disease and are they willing to assume the time and expense of managing that disease? If so, with full disclosure, place them in these homes. Socially Conscious Shelters listen to their communities.

ALLEVIATE SUFFERING AND MAKE APPROPRIATE EUTHANASIA DECISIONS.

Compassionate euthanasia is a gift. It is not acceptable to let a terminally ill, suffering animal languish in a cage until it dies naturally when compassionate euthanasia can ease that endless pain. It is not acceptable to house a known dangerous animal who cannot be safely placed in the community for years until it goes crazy in a cage. Each euthanasia decision is difficult and taken seriously to ensure the welfare of the individual animal.

ENHANCE THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND THROUGH SAFE PLACEMENTS AND POST-ADOPTION SUPPORT.

Integrating a new pet into your home can be difficult. As adoption agencies, Socially Conscious Shelters have a responsibility to support the adopting family, which, at a minimum, means the shelter will accept the animal back without shaming the adopter. Other ways organizations can provide post-adoption support include behavior advice, classes for new pet caregivers, and addressing shelter-related medical needs. It also means not placing animals into homes that disrupt the human-animal bond by injuring children, other pets and other people. There are many behavior issues that can be addressed through behavior modification and positive experiences. There are other behaviors that are dangerous and cannot be mitigated.

CONSIDER THE HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY OF ANIMALS FOR EACH COMMUNITY WHEN TRANSFERRING ANIMALS.

Shelters save lives when animals are moved from a community that does not have homes available, to one that does. However, bringing pets into a community is a responsibility. It is a responsibility to the animals already living in that community to not bring in infectious diseases that would make them sick. It is a responsibility to those living within the community to bring in animals that will live in harmony. And there is a responsibility to the community from which animals are being moved to address that community’s animal welfare struggles through programs such as humane education and spay and neuter.

FOSTER A CULTURE OF TRANSPARENCY, ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING, MUTUAL RESPECT, CONTINUAL LEARNING AND COLLABORATION.

Australia needs pet food standards...