AdvoCATS co-founder Jennifer Berezai and senior consultant Mia.

PFMA and iCatCare have joined AdvoCATS mission. 

Two major UK organisations - International Cat Care (iCatCare) and the Pet Food Manufacturers Association (PFMA) - have joined the campaign to make renting with pets easier.

The Heads for Tails! campaign is spearheaded by AdvoCATS, an voluntary organisation set up in 2018 to offer free support and advice to landlords and tenants, and assist pet owners struggling to find rental accommodation. 

Established in 1958, iCatCare is a pioneering cat welfare charity, which also has a veterinary division, is at the forefront of feline care and medicine. PFMA is the leading trade body for the UK pet food industry. 

Dr Sarah Ellis, head of Cat Advocacy at iCatCare, said: “In a world where renting is commonplace and where there are so many pet cats relinquished and/or needing homes, making renting with pets easier is a critical contribution to sustaining positive wellbeing for people and pet cats.”

Backing the call to amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to allow a landlord to either request a financially capped pet deposit, or stipulate pet damage insurance, the organisations are adding their support to a number of endorsements, including the National Residential Landlords Association, National Office for Animal Health, and over 40 MPs and Peers, among many others. 

Deputy chief executive of the PFMA, Nicole Paley, explained why it is backing the campaign: “We are delighted to add our support to the important work of AdvoCATS. 

“Our pets have such a positive impact on our lives from reducing stress and anxiety to providing much valued companionship. It is vital we address how we can support owners renting with pets.”

Jen Berezai, co-founder of AdvoCATS welcomed the support: “To have two such well-respected industry names back our campaign is fantastic. 

“We are in discussion with a number of other organisations which have expressed interest in the campaign and, in fact, have just recruited Proptech-PR and ProtectaPet, all of which strengthens our case for the government to adopt the Heads for Tails! Proposals, which will open up pet ownership for thousands - maybe even hundreds of thousands - of tenants.” 

Image (C) AdvoCATS