UK Parliament home

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

Created by Jodie Mason
Closes on

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.

Sign this petition

4,526 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 14 July 2026.