Pets policy

Basil the cat Following wide consultation, AIMS published its good practice guide on ‘Keeping pets in private retirement and sheltered housing’. It can be downloaded at the top right of the screen.

Since publication, the current edition has been amended to include an updated reference to the Animal Welfare Bill which received Royal Assent on 8 November 2006. The main provisions of the Act came into force on 6 April 2007. Also, in December 2006, it became a legal requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA) that housing providers cannot discriminate against a disabled person, which includes discrimination against a person with an assistance dog.

We always welcome any feedback or comments, as the guide will continue to be updated from time to time.

Useful contacts - pets
A list of useful contacts, including the major animal welfare and pet advisory charities, assistance dogs, pet bereavement support etc, are listed in the pdf at the bottom of this page. Contact details are included. Please note, the list below includes additional contacts to those listed in the good practice guide above.

There are also poems about pets in the Living Room Poetry Corner.

AIMS – an Advice, Information and Mediation Service for people living and working in private retirement and sheltered housing.