Whanganui pensioner housing to trial companion fish, birds and cats

Tenants in some Whanganui District Council housing complexes will be allowed pets from next month as part of a one-year trial. Photo / Getty Images

Tenants living in some Whanganui District Council housing complexes will take part in a one-year pet trial from next month.

The council's policy and bylaw committee approved changes to the pensioner housing policy at a meeting last week, enabling residents to keep fish, a bird or a cat during the trial period.

Following a 2020 council survey of tenants and consultation with the wider Whanganui community, the pet trial will begin from July 1 at the Eugene Crotty, Walter Nash and 22 Puriri St housing complexes.

The survey found 68 per cent were in favour of allowing birds, 56.6 per cent thought cats would be okay but 70 per cent opposed the idea of dogs being allowed.

Council policy adviser Will Johnston said the survey results showed there was support for the trial.

"A majority of council tenants surveyed last year were in favour of having a pet because of an animal's ability to help with feelings of isolation or loneliness," he said.

"A pet can also assist with social interaction between tenants in our housing complexes and may help residents to remain physically active.

"If residents would like to have a pet during the trial period, they'll need to sign a pet care agreement accepting responsibility for their animal's care and wellbeing, along with any damage the pet may cause to their unit."

Johnston said the agreement would also provide vet details and a contact person who could look after the pet if necessary.

At the end of the trial, tenants who participated would be allowed to keep their pets.

The trial will help the council identify any issues with pets at a relatively smaller scale before a final decision is made on pet suitability at other council-owned housing complexes.

The trial will also help the council understand how best to avoid the possibility of separating a pet from its owner if that person becomes a council tenant.

The council's long-standing policy of not allowing pets in pensioner housing caused a stir in 2019 when some residents were asked to rehome their pet birds or face a 90-day eviction notice.

The threat of eviction was withdrawn and tenants with existing pets have been allowed to keep them while a review was conducted.

The policy and bylaw committee also approved other changes to the pensioner housing policy.

The policy was renamed the "Older Persons' Council Housing Policy" and a process to allow the council's property team to make minor updates to the housing guidelines was approved.