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Pet-friendly rental crisis: report shows urgent need for policy reform
February 6, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
A pet-friendly rental crisis is still a major contributor to the rising pet surrender statistics, a recent report highlights.
According to the 2023 – 2024 Impact Report by Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA), urgent policy reforms are needed to address the challenges of keeping pets in aged care, rental properties, and other areas of life.
But it’s not all bad news for companion animals in Australia; with recent campaigns leading to a decrease in surrendered animals nationwide.
Report highlights some positive pet surrender statistics
While CANA’s report shows an overwhelming number of animals being surrendered annually, it also highlights the significant inroads the organisation in helping connect animals with loving homes.
Formerly Animal Welfare League Australia (AWLA), CANA represents the companion animal welfare work of five member organisations nationwide.
They provide rescue, shelter, re-homing, fostering, healthcare and enrichment services to more than 50,000 animals each year in their respective states.
With the support of its members, CANA leads national campaigns and initiatives, such as Pet Friendly Aged Care, Rent with Pets, and Pets in Business to promote responsible pet ownership and champion pet inclusion across all areas of society.
“In 2023–2024, we brought critical issues like pet-friendly aged care, rental housing and workplace policies into the national spotlight,” says CANA CEO Trish Ennis.
During the past year alone, CANA’s member agencies cared for over 23,900 incoming animals.
Ensuring 15,619 pets found new families through adoption programs.
This figure marks a nearly halved gap between incoming and outgoing animals compared to the previous year.
Trish Ennis, CANA’s CEO, says the statistics reflect the relentless effort to rehome pets and reduce euthanasia.
“Adoptions and fostering are core to our mission,” says Ennis.
“Our goal is to keep people and pets together—not only to reduce surrenders and euthanasia but also to support the mental health and wellbeing of pet owners.”
Key achievements at a glance
- 15,619 animals rehomed: A testament to the hard work of CANA’s member agencies.
- National campaigns: Tackling pet-friendly housing, workplace inclusivity, and aged care policies.
- Policy influence: Significant contributions to rental law reforms and aged care policy.
- Continued focus on education: Addressing desexing awareness and responsible pet ownership.
Lack of pet-friendly rental property causing heartache for companion animals in Australia
Australia’s love for pets is evident, with 69% of households own companion animals in Australia.
Despite this, the report makes it clear there is still a long way to go in addressing Australia’s sobering pet surrender statistics.
“Too many people are having to make the heartbreaking decision between secure housing and their much-loved companions,” says Ennis.
“It’s a national challenge that we must address collectively.”
There has also been a concerning increase in surrendered kittens.
CANA says this is why the public need to be aware of the importance of public education around desexing.
Key facts from CANA’s 2023–24 Impact Report
- Adoption success: 15,619 pets rehomed across Australia.
- Top challenges for pet owners: Renting issues and homelessness.
- Pets in aged care: Only 18% of facilities are pet-friendly, despite their proven mental health benefits.
- Public support: 69% of Australians own a pet, highlighting the widespread importance of pet advocacy.
Advocacy, animal welfare policies key to lowering pet surrender statistics
The lives of companion animals and their owners in Australia are at the heart of Companion Animal Network Australia’s (CANA) mission.
And the organisation has been a vocal participant in shaping Australian animal welfare policies.
During the last year, CANA’s advocacy efforts contributed to key legislative and policy discussions across Australia.
Including amendments to family law to consider pet custody, updates to aged care regulations, and reforms to rental laws across several states.
→ Read more about pets in aged care homes and CANA’s campaign here
Moving forward, CANA aims to continue driving meaningful conversations and creating actionable solutions to keep pets and people together.
“Our shared vision is a world where every pet has a loving home,” says Ennis.
“While challenges remain, we are optimistic about the future.
“Together, we can strengthen the human-animal bond and create a society that values the well-being of all its members—two-legged and four-legged alike.”
To learn more about CANA’s mission or to support its initiatives, visit Australia CAN.
One of the organisation’s standout campaigns is Pets in Aged Care, aiming to ensure elderly Australians can maintain lifelong bonds with their pets.
Despite 86% of Australians recognising the mental health benefits of pet ownership, only 18% of aged care facilities currently allow pets—a gap CANA is determined to close.
More animal news
How pets in Australia are the latest victim of the cost-of-living crisis
Inaugural event to bring rescue dogs and aged care residents together
Pets in Business: program helping businesses be pet-friendly
