Rehoming to homeowners only.

[MrsFigg]

How do Catsey members feel about rescues who have a policy of not rehoming to people who do not own their own homes?

I totally understand that all potential homes should be vetted and that if the would be adopters are tenents they should be able to provide evidence of their council/landlords permission to keep pets but I think that ruling out adoption to people who live in rented accomodation is very unfair and may mean that needy cats and kittens miss out on excellent homes.

Not everyone who rents is out of work, irresponsible or has an unstable home life. We choose to rent as we do not want the worry of having a huge mortgage.
In the current climate there aren't many of us who can say what out lives will bring one year or ten years down the line but at least I do not need to worry about us losing our jobs and having our home reposessed, needing to find new homes for our pets, something I know I would be scared of if we were buying our home.

I believe people who rent have as much right to share their lives with companion animals as any homeowner and should not be discriminated against by rescue charities if they fulfill the other criteria for adopting an animal.

I'd like to add that I am not posting this because of something that has happened to me personally, rather that the thought that people in my situation may be prevented from enjoying pet ownership upsets me.

[angieh]

I totally agree with you MrsFigg. It seems an unnecessary restriction, if, as you say, there is evidence that the landlord allows tenants to keep pets - however, in this area it seems that many landlords do not allow it.

[MrsFigg]

I realize that some private landlords do not allow pets but most councils do, many positively encourage responsible pet ownership, hold fun dog shows, do low cost neutering schemes etc.

I think that more and more people are going to choose to rent in the future and they should be allowed pets and not be made to feel like second class citizens.

[Elaine]

I think many rescues have some rediculous policies and that each potential home should be judged on it's own merits.

[dandysmom]

I totally agree too, MrsFigg! If the people and the accommodations pass the home inspection test and pet ownership is OKd by the landlord, then it it is out-and--out arrant discrimination! My parents chose to rent our home, if that had been in effect I could not have had my childhood cat nor my first cat as an adult. I own my home so it's not a problem, or I should say won't be, when Leia passes and I go to the shelter for another companion.

If the people really want to provide a loving home and are refused by the shelter they will probably get a kitten from a back yard breeder ,,,not good, as it encourages indiscriminate breeding! End of rant!!

[calismum]

Seems pretty discriminatory to me. Judge the peoples ability to care for life not their tennancy status.

[Kim]

Originally Posted by calismum

Seems pretty discriminatory to me. Judge the peoples ability to care for life not their tennancy status.

Absolutely agree - as long as te landlord is okay with the tenant keeping pets.

[Kay]

As with most things I believe each case should be taken individually. Obviously there has to be some guidelines but they should be just guidelines and not cast iron rules set in stone.

[MrsFigg]

Originally Posted by Kay

As with most things I believe each case should be taken individually. Obviously there has to be some guidelines but they should be just guidelines and not cast iron rules set in stone.

I agree, judge each potential home on it's merits. The rescue in question though states on it's website ' if you are not a homeowner do not waste our time and yours by applying for a cat'.

[alexgirl73]

To be perfectly honest, I had no idea any rescue DID this !!! Strikes me as very bizarre.