Pet owners are facing the hellish choice of either getting a roof over their heads or letting their beloved pets go.
Long time animal welfare and homeless advocate, Aontú Cllr Sarah Beasley says.
“This is an issue that is getting virtually no attention, but it is one that is very, very real and is causing untold misery, sadness and stress to so many people.
I have had numerous calls from constituents who have had to put their beloved dogs to sleep or face living out on the streets.
“I have spent the most heartbreaking few days talking to people who are truly in a horrible situation. They don’t own their own homes so are either trying to secure private rented accommodation or a local authority home that will accept their pets.
They and their pets are truly at the mercy of the market or the local authorities and given we’re in the grip of the worst housing crisis this country has ever seen this is a situation that is only going to get worse.
Not only are people trying to cope with ever rising rents, but they are also spending days and days trying to track down ‘affordable’ rentals that allow pets.
One constituent who contacted me this week is even thinking of moving abroad as she said that most European countries are far more accepting of pets’ and recognise them as part of the family as they absolutely are.
She and her partner are in ‘good jobs’ they earn relatively high salaries but are presently living with her parents and can’t move as they find it impossible to find rental accommodation that will allow them to bring their pets who are currently sleeping in a shed in her parent’s garden shed as another family member has a pet allergy.
They are on the horns of a dilemma as if they move abroad, they will lose the family and friends support network they have here and obviously they shouldn’t have to do this.
While this lady said she is in her best financial position she has ever been in, she still cannot afford a place of her own and that is the real nub of the issue.
It’s really terrible to think that with two good careers, she and her partner are stuck back in her childhood bedroom with their beloved dogs out in the shed.
People who are living in precariously difficult housing situations are vulnerable enough. For many their pets are all the comfort they have, and they are absolutely traumatised by the thought of having to say goodbye to their healthy and happy pets.
Animal shelters are full to the brim, so many people have no option but to put their sweet pets to sleep.
I put in a amotion at the most recent meeting of Limerick City Council querying just how many people on the housing waiting list have been refused a tenancy , either one that is through the council or an Approved Housing Body ,due to having a family pet but was told the allocations team do not record these figures.
I find this staggering. Pets are not accessories, they are not ‘things’ to be discarded or left behind. They are living, loving and much-loved beings and giving them up should not be a choice people should have to make.
