PATHWAY – Pets and Housing Working Group

Pathway is a pets and housing working group which was formed in 1995 with the intention of promoting responsible pet ownership and persuading housing providers (both public and private) to develop positive pet policies.

Pathway includes representatives from most of the major animal welfare organisations, the veterinary profession and housing sector. As well as being a member of Pathway, Dogs Trust provides secretariat for the group.

There is extensive research which proves that pets are a positive attribute to most responsible households. Humans can benefit physically, emotionally and often socially from looking after a pet. This is particularly the case for those who are vulnerable (e.g. the elderly, juveniles, those living alone and the homeless). Pets add so much to our lives and for many are their only companions.

There are over 5 million dog owning households and 6 million cat owning households in the UK (PFMA statistics 2004).  However, many social housing providers and private landlords do not allow their tenants to keep pets by either banning them altogether or adopting very restrictive pet policies which do not include the keeping of dogs and cats.

Current Pathway Membership
Chairman: Roger Gale MP
Vice Chairman: Dr Anne McBride
Members: Anchor Housing : Blue Cross : Cats Protection : Dogs Trust : SCAS : Wood Green Animal Shelters : University of Southampton