Kris Hill and Elizabeth Ormerod from the Society for Companion Animals Studies (SCAS) highlight the issue of ‘no pet’ clauses in rental properties, temporary accommodation, and care homes, and discuss potential solutions. Guest blog on Katzenworld.
iNews article discusses the issue of pets in housing
An article just published in iNews discusses the issues and aguish caused by ‘no pet’ clauses in rental or temporary accommodation. Katie Grant interviewed various stakeholders, individuals, and organisations, including SCAS trustees.
Renting with pets: Thousands forced to give up cats and dogs because ‘only 5% of landlords allow animals’.
Read the full article here:
Call for Posters to be presented at the 2022 SCAS Conference, ‘Pet Friendly Housing: How can we keep people and pets together?’

Call for Posters to be presented at the 2022 SCAS Conference, ‘Pet Friendly Housing: How can we keep people and pets together?’ on Sunday 18th September 2022 (Online).
Abstracts are now being accepted for posters related to the subject of pet-friendly housing (rental accommodation, nursing homes, temporary shelter). Please submit abstracts to info@scas.org.uk by Wednesday 30 June 2022 and type ‘SCAS2022 Poster’ in the email subject line. All abstracts must be submitted in English, the official language of the conference.
Continue readingUK landlords wanted for a SCAS-funded study on Pets in Housing
Are you a landlord or property manager in the UK? As part of a SCAS-funded study, researchers from the University of Lincoln are investigating possible problems and opportunities of having pet-friendly rental houses and would love to hear your opinions. For more information and/or to take part please access here:
https://unilincolnlifescienc.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6LLR9akXioIcMoC
Please share.
Do you want to shape the future of SCAS research into the human-animal bond?
We are looking for volunteers to join our 2022 public advisory panel. As a member of the SCAS advisory panel you would be invited to review some of this year’s applications for funding to help us to make decisions about the projects we fund.
Continue readingA rabbit is for life, not just for Easter
With Easter fast approaching, springtime traditions such as egg hunts and Easter bonnets are in full swing. Alongside this there is of course the ‘Easter Bunny’.
With rabbits being one of the most popular pets in the UK, Easter can often be a time of year where rabbit sales soar. However, many people who purchase rabbits do so on impulse and are unaware of their complex needs which can result in immense suffering and surrender to rescue. This is reflected in statistics from the RSPCA who reported a 28% increase from the previous year of rabbits being taken into their care during 2021.
Continue readingDEFRA seeks views on improving England’s equine identification and traceability system
Some of our members may wish to contribute to the consultation on equine identification and traceability in England. The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the UK Government’s proposals for improving the equine identification and traceability regime in England. Resulting changes made will ensure the system better supports the Government’s priorities of animal health and welfare, and protecting public health.
This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 28 June 2022
Celebrate International Children’s Book Day on 2 April 2022 with a Good Book and a Good Dog!

You are never too old to enjoy a good book and the company of a good dog (or cat, or rabbit, or guinea pig!). However, books inspire the imagination and reading is a good habit to encourage in children from a young age.
Continue readingNew study on the reciprocal nature of the human-dog bond
Researchers from the Canine Behaviour & Research Department, Dogs Trust, UK, just published a study that reviews how we measure the human–dog bond. Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with dog guardians to investigate their views on how their dogs demonstrated a shared a bond. The findings provide a useful foundation upon which to build research tools that better reflect the reciprocal nature of the dog-human relationship.
Samet et al., 2022. Exploring and Developing the Questions Used to Measure the Human–Dog Bond: New and Existing Themes, Animals, 12(7), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070805
Reforms to pet microchipping regulations in England set out
Following recommendations set out by the Pet Theft Taskforce, new proposals to make it easier to reunite lost or stolen cats and dogs with their owners were set out by the UK Government this week.
Reforms to pet microchipping regulations in England include:
- Changes to database system
- New requirements will apply to both cats and dogs
- Improvements will make it easier to reunite lost or stolen pets with their owners
Important information for cat and dog owners can be found on Gov.UK