18 July 2008

An animal group is calling for landlords to allow tenants to keep pets in their property.

Research from the Dog's Trust shows that up to 75 per cent of landlords ban pets and this could be contributing to the number of abandoned animals.

The trust reports that owners who are driven to giving up their pets do so mainly because of issues with housing.

As the economy dips more people are believed to rent rather than buy which could lead to more pets being dumped if landlords continue to ban animals.

Clarissa Baldwin, chief executive of the trust, stated that pet owners are currently pressured to either accept inappropriate housing in order to accommodate their pet or lie.

"Pet owners who need to rent privately are being forced to live in unsuitable properties, or rent with their pets without consent from their landlord," she said.

The number of pets abandoned last year rocketed by 23 per cent as compared to 2006.