The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is encouraging landlords to allow people who have been displaced by recent flooding events to bring their pets with them when they move into a new property.
Auckland’s January floods and Cyclone Gabrielle have forced thousands of people to leave their damaged homes. With 64 per cent of New Zealand homes having at least one companion animal, the weather events have left many families with pets struggling to find suitable accommodation.
NZVA Companion Animal Vet Branch president Dr Natalie Lloyd says landlords can help ease this situation by allowing people to bring their animals with them when they relocate to a new home. “Animal welfare is brought into question if people can’t stay with their pets and the worst result is that animals end up being abandoned or rehomed,” she says.
“Animals want to be with their families and separating them can lead to physical and stress-related conditions such as cystitis in cats. There’s also a tie between pain and anxiety, which can impact on an animal’s mental health and wellbeing, translating to behavioural issues that could make future rehoming even harder.”
Dr Lloyd says similar issues were faced in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the Queensland fires, where people didn’t want to leave their homes knowing they would be separated from their pets. She also points out that owning an animal can be a hallmark of a responsible tenant who is more likely to stay in accommodation long term, and there are insurance policies and clauses that can be added to cover any potential damage caused by pets.
