Resident guidance: All Housing residents - Last updated 23 June 2026

Pets

Owning a pet is very important to many people who live with Anchor and we are positive about residents keeping pets – not just cats and dogs but rabbits, hamsters, budgies, fish and even snakes as well. However, all pets (including those being looked after by a resident for someone else) need to be approved before they can live or stay at an Anchor location, even pets such as goldfish or insects.

In this guidance you’ll find:

The kinds of animals suitable as domestic pets
How many pets can I have?
How to obtain approval for a pet
Ensuring your pet’s wellbeing
When Anchor might refuse or withdraw consent for a pet
Considerations for pets in homeownership locations
Arranging care for your pet in emergencies
Visiting pets

What kinds of animals are suitable as domestic pets?

Small birds, animals and fish (including rabbits, domestic rodents and some reptiles), cats and dogs are suitable for domestic pets.

Breeds of dog named by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 are not permitted. Breeds that are listed on the Index of Exempted Dogs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

How many pets can I have in my Anchor property?

Anchor is not prescriptive regarding the number of pets that a resident may keep. The number of pets we allow will be determined by the property type/size, and the your ability to manage and meet the welfare needs of the pets.

How to obtain approval for a pet

If you are thinking about getting a pet or looking after a pet for someone else, please tell us in advance and we will tell you about any local agreements or lease stipulations concerning pets at your location and ask you to complete a Pet Request Form. This form outlines the terms that must be observed when keeping a pet at an Anchor location and asks you to confirm that you have read and will adhere to the terms. The form must be completed for additional pets - even where approval for pets has been provided to you in the past. The completed form should be returned to the location manager as soon as possible, and it is requested that pets are not obtained or committed to before Anchor has provided approval.

Whatever your pet, we will consider whether your pet can be housed safely, responsibly and without inconvenience to other residents at your location. You may be asked to provide additional information with your application, for example, if your dog is on the Index of Exempted Dogs, which allows the owner to keep a banned-type dog (Dangerous Dogs Act), you will need to show the dog’s Certificate of Exemption; or if your pet requires a licence you will need to show proof that this is in place.

If we are happy that the property is suitable for your pet and you are able to care for your pet and meet its welfare needs we will confirm our agreement with you in writing.

Ensuring your pet’s wellbeing

The welfare of the pets that live with our residents is important to us and we expect the following things from responsible pet owners:

Ensuring the conduct of your pet does not cause a nuisance or disturbance to others
Registration at a vets
Pet identification / microchipping
Neutering / spaying
Alternative arrangements should you go on holiday or into hospital
We highly recommend pet insurance to help with unexpected, and often significant costs.

When Anchor might refuse or withdraw consent for a pet

Very occasionally we may refuse permission to keep or look after a pet, or we may have to withdraw consent to keep or look after a pet. This will be in exceptional circumstances, and we will always discuss this with you. Refusals are closely monitored by senior housing colleagues.

Where a pet is causing disturbance to other residents at a location, we will act to ensure problems are resolved as quickly as possible and we will support residents to work with local welfare groups to keep their pet where this would prove helpful.

In the very rare event that a resident or applicant is advised that they cannot keep an existing pet, the local manager will work with the resident or applicant to identify any animal welfare agencies who can assist in placing the pet in a new home. We recognise that this can be an extremely traumatic time and will deal with the matter sensitively.

How to appeal our decision

If you have been refused permission to keep a pet and wish to appeal this decision, you should write to the Area Manager with the details of the case.

Considerations for pets in homeownership locations

A man with a cat on his lap For those who buy a property from Anchor we must have regard to what the lease or freehold transfer says about keeping pets:

If the lease/transfer states that no pets are allowed, regretfully we cannot give consent for a pet, except where a resident requires a pet due to a disability (Equality Act, 2010).
If the lease/transfer is silent or says pets are permitted, we will consider requests positively.

Arranging care for your pet in emergencies

There are services that can help look after your pet should you become unwell, and having arrangements in place for your pet’s future should you pass away before them can give you peace of mind.

To cover periods when a pet owner is unwell or hospitalised, temporary foster care may be provided via the Cinnamon Trust or Social Services
Find out about the Blue Cross Pet Peace of Mind service
Find out about the Cat Guardians service by Cats Protection
Find out about the Canine Care Card from the Dogs Trust

Please note that some services will only step in if the pet is fully up to date with all its current vaccinations and there is paperwork to prove it.

Visiting pets

Friends or relatives may come to visit you and bring their pets with them. Visiting pets are welcome but are expected to keep to the same rules and terms that are required of residents who have pets at the location.