Domestic Pets

Permission To Keep A Pet

If you are a tenant, you must obtain written permission to keep pets. The term pet covers various types of animals including dogs, cats, birds, rodents (hamster, gerbil, rat etc.), reptiles, rabbits and fish. Any such request from you to us will be considered and permission will not be withheld unreasonably.

You will find more information on the application process, application assessment and restrictions on keeping pets in our Domestic Pet Procedure.

The Association will not permit the keeping of dogs and cats in properties where the design makes this unsuitable. This includes our development at Mill Road, Alloa and such other properties as we consider to be unsuitable as a result of the design, layout or any other reason.

If you would like to apply for permission to keep a pet the easiest way to do this is through your My Home account, the request form can be found within the Useful Forms section of your dashboard. If you do not have a My Home account or would like help to apply for permission, then please contact a member of the housing services team or email housing@ochilviewha.co.uk where we will be happy to help.

XL Bully Legislation

It is now a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully Dog without a Certificate of Exemption in accordance with The Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (Scotland) Order 2024.

You will find more details about how to apply for this certificate on the government website: XL Bully dogs in Scotland - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

If you own an XL Bully then you will be committing a criminal offence and breaching your tenancy agreement if you do not hold a Certification of Exemption.

If a person has an Exemption Certificate for an XL Bully they must follow these rules for the life of the dog;

  • Keep the dog at the same address as the certificate holder (you can keep it at a different address temporarily for up to 30 days in a 12 month period).
  • Advise if the dog dies or is exported.
  • Keep the dog in secure conditions so it cannot escape.
  • Keep the dog on a lead in public places. Someone over 16 years old must securely hold the lead.
  • Keep the dog muzzled in public places.
  • The dog must be microchipped.
  • The dog must be neutered.
  • You must have third party public liability insurance for your dog.

If a tenant owned an XL Bully prior to the 1st of August 2024 when the new legislation came into force, then we will give permission for the dog to remain providing that a Certificate of Exemption is provided. If this is not in the possession of the tenant, we will report this to the authorities and refuse permission.  This will be monitored to ensure the Certificate is received.

Support

Scottish Society Protection & Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA)

If you have concerns over the welfare of an animal, then you can find further information on the SSPCA website here https://www.scottishspca.org/report-animal-cruelty-or-neglect. You will find options and how to contact for advice if required. You can also phone their helpline from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm every day on 03000 999 999.

The SSPCA also can provide support and advice on how to take perfect care of your pet or you can register to rehome a pet.

The Dogs Trust

The Dogs Trust are there to help with support if you have a dog that is in distress or if you need them to help with health and wellbeing advice. They also will help if a dog needs a home, they will work to find them a loving family. The Dogs Trust will support you through having a dog with behaviour issues, or if you need training classes. You will find out more information about the Dogs Trust and the help available on their website here https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/

Cat Protection

The Cat Protection provide an array of cat care information including advice on neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, pregnancy and kitten care. They also have advice and support on cat behaviour, diet, health, home and the environment as well as seasonal advice. The Cat Protection also give advice if you are considering rehoming your cat and if you decide this is the route you wish to take, they will help take care of them while they find a new home for your cat. You will also find out information on how you can adopt a cat. All this can be found on their website here https://www.cats.org.uk/

Domestic Abuse

During 2024 the Cats Protection Lifeline and Dogs Trust Freedom are celebrating 20 years of delivering specialist pet fostering services for survivors of domestic abuse.  

Since the services began, they have supported over 4,500 cats and dogs and helped thousands of families live free from abuse. If you would like more information on how these organisations can help you or if you are interested in opening up your home to foster a pet in need then please go to https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/cp-lifeline www.dogstrustfreedom.org.uk.