Wandsworth Council’s policy to allow elderly residents in sheltered housing to keep pets should be adopted across the UK, the House of Commons has been told.
In a bid to improve residents’ health and quality of life the council permitted house pets in 2001. Last week, a bill was presented to the Commons calling for a consistent nationwide policy based on Wandsworth’s model.
The move is backed by Help the Aged, Age Concern, Pathway, Blue Cross, Society of Companion Animals and the Anchor Housing Trust.
Councillor Martin Johnson, Wandsworth Council’s executive member for housing, said: “Pets have an overwhelming positive influence and it is simply indefensible not to allow them.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here