Everyday life · England
Having a pet
Your browser or device provides the reading voice.
This guide is for people in England.
You can read it with someone you trust.
Thinking about a pet
You might want a pet.
Think about what you and the animal need.
Having a pet with support
Needing support does not automatically stop you having a pet.
Tell staff what you want.
Talk about the help you and the animal would need.
Learn about the animal
Learn about the animal before you decide.
Small animals still need care and space.
Permission for your home
Check whether your housing agreement allows pets.
You may need to ask your landlord first.
Ask for advice if permission is refused.
If you share your home
Talk about pets with the people you live with.
Some people have allergies or are frightened of animals.
Ask what could work for everyone.
If someone says no
Ask them to explain why.
Ask what could make having a pet possible.
An advocate or housing adviser can help you ask questions.
The right care
Your pet needs suitable food and fresh water.
It needs a safe home and the right care.
Costs and vet bills
Plan everyday costs and unexpected vet bills.
Check what any insurance will pay for.
Help and a backup plan
Agree who will help you care for your pet.
Plan who will help if you go into hospital.
If your pet needs help
Ask a vet if your pet is ill or injured.
Ask for help early if caring becomes difficult.
What you can do next
You can ask someone you trust for help.
Choose the next step that works for you.
Plan for getting a pet Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- RSPCA: getting a pet Web page
Think about time, space, care and cost.
- RSPCA: adoption Web page
Discuss the needs of a particular animal.
- PDSA: veterinary services Web page
Check eligibility and local availability.
- GOV.UK: asking to keep a pet Web page
Guidance for the qualifying tenancy route.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Having a pet
Having a pet when you need support: housing permission, shared homes, care, costs and what to do if someone says no.
Adults, young people and supporters · England
Start with what you want
Think about which animal interests you and why. Spend time learning about its needs before deciding. Consider noise, smells, allergies, sensory preferences, movement and how much handling the animal likes. Small animals can need substantial space, company and specialist care. There is no pet that suits everyone. A rescue centre can discuss an individual match and the support you have.
Can I have a pet if I need support?
Needing support does not automatically mean you cannot have a pet. Explain what the animal would mean to you and what help you would need. Staff should involve you in planning and consider your individual wishes, needs and circumstances. Ask them to explain any specific concern and explore practical solutions. This is not an automatic right to any animal in any accommodation: housing conditions, other people’s rights and the animal’s welfare still matter.
Meet the animal’s needs
Owners and people looking after animals must meet their welfare needs. This includes a suitable home, appropriate food and water, opportunities for normal behaviour, the right company and protection from pain, injury and illness. The details differ between species. Ask a vet or reputable animal welfare organisation about the particular animal rather than following an unverified social-media tip.
Make a practical care plan
List feeding, cleaning, exercise, grooming, training and health care. Decide which tasks you want to do and which need help. Pictures, reminders or a shared checklist may help. Agree who is responsible and what happens when a helper is unavailable. Do not assume a support worker’s contract or funded care package includes animal care: discuss and record any agreed help. The plan should support your choices and protect the animal.
Check your housing agreement
If you rent, check your housing status and pet terms before getting an animal. For qualifying assured tenancies outside social housing, the statutory route allows a written request describing the pet. Consent must not be unreasonably refused. The usual response period is 28 days, with permitted extensions, for example for more information or superior-landlord consent. This is a right to request permission, not automatic permission. Social housing tenancies and licences do not have this particular statutory route; contractual rights and equality duties may still matter. Ask a housing adviser about a refusal, including an assistance animal. No reply does not automatically mean permission has been given.
Supported living, shared homes and care homes
In supported living, check your tenancy or licence and ask the landlord about permission; the support provider’s views do not replace the housing agreement. In a care home, ask about the pet policy, your accommodation agreement and whether your particular request can be accommodated. If you share, discuss housemates’ needs, including allergies, fear of animals, shared space and hygiene. Consider workable arrangements and the animal’s needs. There is no general guarantee that every care home or shared home must accept a pet.
If someone says I cannot have a pet
Ask who made the decision and whether the reason concerns your housing agreement, animal welfare, safety or the help available. Ask for the reason in a form you understand and what changes might make your request possible. A staff member’s personal preference should not replace consideration of your circumstances. You can ask for a care review or advocacy, and get housing advice about landlord permission. If the private-tenancy request rules apply, a refusal must be reasonable. Do not bring an animal home before any required permission and care arrangements are in place.
Plan the full cost
Budget for food, bedding, equipment, training, routine veterinary care and unexpected illness. Compare insurance carefully, including exclusions and amounts you would pay yourself. Register with a vet and ask about accessible appointments, emergency arrangements and payment options. PDSA offers services for eligible owners, depending on benefits, postcode and other rules. Check eligibility in advance; receiving a disability benefit does not guarantee free veterinary care.
Choose a responsible route
Speak to an established rescue organisation or research a seller carefully. Ask about the animal’s health, history, behaviour and care needs. Do not rush because someone demands an immediate deposit. Check the requirements for that animal, including identification, microchipping and any legal restrictions, with the vet or official guidance. Use our scams and consumer-rights pages if a sale seems suspicious.
Plan for hospital, holidays and changes
Name a person or service who has agreed to care for the animal if you go into hospital, take a holiday or become unwell. Give them necessary care instructions, vet details and permission arrangements. Check costs and a second backup. If you are struggling, ask the vet or rescue organisation for help early. Do not abandon an animal. You can also enjoy animals through an organised activity if owning a pet is not right for you now.
Words you could use
“I would like to have a pet. Please help me work out the care, costs, housing permission and backup support.”
More useful links
- RSPCA: getting a pet Web page
Think about time, space, care and cost.
- RSPCA: adoption Web page
Discuss the needs of a particular animal.
- PDSA: veterinary services Web page
Check eligibility and local availability.
- GOV.UK: asking to keep a pet Web page
Guidance for the qualifying tenancy route.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 5 November 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- RSPCA: getting a pet Web page
Planning before choosing an animal.
- RSPCA: adoption process Web page
Individual matching and practical responsibilities.
- PDSA: five welfare needs Web page
Animal welfare responsibilities.
- PDSA: veterinary services Web page
Eligibility and limits of free or reduced-cost services.
- GOV.UK: pet requests Web page
Written requests, response times and reasonable consideration.
- Renters’ Rights Act 2025, section 11 Web page
Introduces Housing Act 1988 sections 16A and 16B: pet requests, extensions and the social-housing exclusion.
- CQC Regulation 9: person-centred care Web page
Individual needs, preferences and involvement support discussion of pet-related wishes; this is not a universal right to keep a pet.
- CQC Regulation 12: safe care Web page
Individual assessment balances safety with people’s rights and preferences.
- CQC: personal care and supported living Web page
Care and accommodation agreements are separate in supported living.
- DHSC: infection prevention in adult social care Web page
Current guidance recognises benefits of pets and the need for appropriate hygiene and agreed responsibilities in communal care settings.
A page for you to fill in
You can type your answers and download a copy.
You can also print a page to write or draw on.
Someone you trust can help you.