Pet trial to start for older persons' council housing
Published on 28 June 2021
Whanganui District Council’s Policy and Bylaw Committee approved changes to the council’s Pensioner Housing Policy at a meeting on Thursday, 24 June 2021.
Following a survey with council tenants in 2020 and more recent consultation with the wider Whanganui community, a one-year pet trial will begin from 1 July at the Eugene Crotty, Walter Nash and 22 Puriri Street housing complexes. Residents at these facilities will be able to keep fish, a bird or a cat during the trial period.
Council policy advisor, Will Johnston, says, “A majority of council tenants surveyed last year were in favour of having a pet because of an animal’s ability to help with feelings of isolation or loneliness.
“A pet can also assist with social interaction between tenants in our housing complexes and may help residents to remain physically active.”
He says, “If residents would like to have a pet during the trial period, they’ll need to sign a pet care agreement accepting responsibility for their animal’s care and wellbeing, along with any damage the pet may cause to their unit.
“The agreement will also provide vet details and a contact person who can look after the pet if necessary.”
At the end of the trial, those tenants who have participated will be allowed to keep their pets, Will Johnston says.
The year-long pet trial at the Eugene Crotty, Walter Nash and Puriri Street complexes will help the council identify any issues with pets at a relatively smaller scale before a final decision is made on pet suitability at other council-owned housing complexes.
The trial will also help the council understand how best to avoid the possibility of separating a pet from its owner if that person becomes a council tenant.
Other approved changes to the council’s Pensioner Housing Policy are:
- A renaming of the actual policy to the Older Persons’ Council Housing Policy
- A simplification of the process to allow the council’s property team to make minor updates to the older persons’ council housing guidelines in the future.