Companion Animal Network Australia welcomes pet-friendly rental reforms in NSW
National animal welfare charity Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA or Australia CAN) welcomes the NSW Minns Labor Government’s rental reforms, which include new rules to make it easier for tenants to keep pets in their rental homes.
Under the new legislation, which comes into effect on 19 May 2025, tenants will be able to apply to keep a pet in their rental home, and landlords will only be able to refuse for specific reasons, such as the owner living at the property or failure to comply with local council laws.
A standard application form and process has been developed to make the system clearer and more efficient for both renters and owners. Approval will be automatic if owners do not respond to pet applications within 21 days.
“Australia’s rental and housing crisis is already placing enormous pressure on people, and it’s even tougher for those with pets. Too many renters are being forced to make the heart-breaking choice between keeping their beloved companion animals or having a roof over their heads,” says Trish Ennis, CEO of CANA, which represents the companion animal welfare work of five member agencies across the country, including Sydney Dogs and Cats Home.
Ms Ennis said the NSW government’s rental reforms represent “a very good improvement” that will help reduce the number of animals being surrendered due to housing issues.
“These changes support the goals of CANA’s Rent with Pets program, which encourages landlords and tenants to work together so that more animals can live in responsible, loving rental homes,” she adds.
CANA also shares the concerns of Lucy’s Project, a national charity working to improve safety for people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence.
“We support placing the onus on landlords to apply to the Tribunal if they wish to refuse consent for tenants to keep an animal,” Ms Ennis says. “We must protect the safety and wellbeing of both human and animal victim-survivors seeking rental accommodation.”
CANA looks forward to working alongside policymakers, housing providers and animal welfare advocates to ensure a fairer, more compassionate rental market for all.
Visit Rentwithpets.com.au and learn how to work with each other to achieve the goal of no surrenders due to rental refusal.
About Rent with Pets
Rent with Pets is run by the Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN) and established to create a bridge between responsible pet owners and the nation’s landlords, sharing information that will help them work together for the benefit of companion animals and their families. Rent with Pets aims to increase the number of pet-friendly rental homes to prevent animals from being euthanised or surrendered to shelters due to difficulty finding pet-friendly rental properties.
Ms Ennis said the NSW government’s rental reforms represent “a very good improvement” that will help reduce the number of animals being surrendered due to housing issues.
“These changes support the goals of CANA’s Rent with Pets program, which encourages landlords and tenants to work together so that more animals can live in responsible, loving rental homes,” she adds.
CANA also shares the concerns of Lucy’s Project, a national charity working to improve safety for people and animals experiencing domestic and family violence.
“We support placing the onus on landlords to apply to the Tribunal if they wish to refuse consent for tenants to keep an animal,” Ms Ennis says. “We must protect the safety and wellbeing of both human and animal victim-survivors seeking rental accommodation.”
CANA looks forward to working alongside policymakers, housing providers and animal welfare advocates to ensure a fairer, more compassionate rental market for all.
Visit Rentwithpets.com.au and learn how to work with each other to achieve the goal of no surrenders due to rental refusal.
About Rent with Pets
Rent with Pets is run by the Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN) and established to create a bridge between responsible pet owners and the nation’s landlords, sharing information that will help them work together for the benefit of companion animals and their families. Rent with Pets aims to increase the number of pet-friendly rental homes to prevent animals from being euthanised or surrendered to shelters due to difficulty finding pet-friendly rental properties.
To discover more, visit www.Rentwithpets.com.au
About Companion Animal Network Australia
Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN or CANA) is a registered charity representing the companion animal welfare work of our member organisations across the country: Animal Welfare League QLD, Lort Smith (VIC), Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania and Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (WA). Our members provide rescue, shelter, re-homing, fostering, health care and enrichment services to more than 50,000 animals every year. Through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, we advocate for the human-animal bond and promote responsible pet ownership. We use our national voice to lobby for the humane treatment of all companion animals and we rally support for our member programs that deliver high welfare standards. Australia CAN national campaigns include Pets in Aged Care, Rent with Pets and Pets in Business.
About Companion Animal Network Australia
Companion Animal Network Australia (Australia CAN or CANA) is a registered charity representing the companion animal welfare work of our member organisations across the country: Animal Welfare League QLD, Lort Smith (VIC), Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania and Saving Animals From Euthanasia Inc (WA). Our members provide rescue, shelter, re-homing, fostering, health care and enrichment services to more than 50,000 animals every year. Through national campaigns, partnerships and initiatives, we advocate for the human-animal bond and promote responsible pet ownership. We use our national voice to lobby for the humane treatment of all companion animals and we rally support for our member programs that deliver high welfare standards. Australia CAN national campaigns include Pets in Aged Care, Rent with Pets and Pets in Business.
To discover more, visit www.australiacan.org.au
MEDIA RELEASE, 31st March 2025
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