More than a quarter of all surrendered animals in SEQ need rehoming due to accommodation issues

More than a quarter of pets surrendered to welfare groups in South East Queensland this year have been because of the housing crisis, with experts saying it could get worse.

More than a quarter of pets surrendered to welfare groups in South East Queensland this year have been left behind because of accommodation issues, according to recent data.

Figures from the Animal Welfare League of Queensland (AWLQ) revealed that of the 1001 animals that were surrendered since the start of the year, 267 have been because of accommodation issues.

This is also an increase from two years ago when accommodation issues accounted for 139 of the 719 animals that were surrendered from January to June 2020.

Craig Montgomery, spokesman for AWLQ, said the charity had noticed an increase in families requiring support with pets, whether it be short-term or permanent rehoming.

“People needing to surrender their pet due to accommodation reasons has increased from 19 per cent to 27 per cent during the past two years. When you consider that we’re the last option for pet owners – most will ask friends or other family or post on community social media pages to secure an adoption – it is alarming,” he said.

“But tenants have no options; they have to take whatever they can. There is so much demand and not enough supply of pet-friendly options.”

One of the more than 200 dogs handed in to AWLQ this year was Henry, who was surrendered by his family after they weren’t able to find pet-friendly accommodation.

Henry was handed over to the welfare group after his family weren't able to find accommodation. Picture: AWLQ.

In some cases, Mr Montgomery said families are opting to live in their cars rather than be separated from their pets due to the ongoing rental crisis.

On October 1, Queensland’s rental laws will change so landlords can no longer give automatic refusal on pets in rentals and will need to provide a valid reason, however Mr Montgomery said he wasn’t sure how much of a difference it would make.

“There is so much demand and not enough supply of pet-friendly options. This, combined with the limited changes to Queensland rental laws, we expect to see this trend only increase,” he said.

“Of course, AWLQ understands that landlords want to protect their assets, but most pet owners will do the right thing, and we ask them to keep this in mind.”

Meanwhile, the issue of surrendering animals at RSPCA Queensland has been “steady” over the years, however spokeswoman Emma Lagoon said the organisation was currently reaching capacity for surrendered cats.

“We’re always open to receiving surrender applications however our current capacity to take on more cats in particular at the moment is stretched, with 972 cats and kittens in RSPCA Queensland care already, with a number of these animals having behavioural or health issues that require further treatment prior to rehoming,” she said.

Both organisations say creating a pet resume for landlords complete with vaccination status, references and training certificates is the best way to overcome a landlord’s concerns over property damage.