Petition · Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

Require shelters & temporary housing providers to allow pets for homeless people

Closed 8,246 signatures

What the petition asks

An estimated one in four people experiencing homeless has a pet – not just a companion, but a lifeline. Yet many hostels exclude them, shutting out people who may rely on them most.
We want the Government and Parliament to act as we believe current housing standards don’t protect people with pets, forcing many to choose between the shelter and their companion. Pets can provide vital emotional support, reduce stress and loneliness, and help people cope with homelessness. Updating the Social Housing Consumer Standards to require shelters to allow pets could prevent unnecessary relinquishment, and create a fairer, more humane system and ultimately reduce homelessness.

Timeline

14 Jan 2026 Petition opened for signatures
14 Jul 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 8,246
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Opened 14 Jan 2026
Closed 14 Jul 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 29 Jul 2026.