Owning a pet can be crucial to helping improve older peoples’ quality of life. Such companionship may be vital, especially for older people who may be lonely

Milton Keynes Council allows the tenants of its 27 Sheltered housing schemes to move in with a pet. But once a loved pet dies they are not necessarily allowed to have a new pet. The Council has no clear written policy on pets.

Local Great Holm community campaigner Carole Baume has joined with Cllr Zoe Nolan calling upon Milton Keynes Council to welcome and support the residents of Petworth House, on Great Holm who want to have a pet.

Carole Baume said, “I believe that if tenants of Petworth House want to have a pet, and the pet is not a nuisance, then they should be encouraged. Pets provide companionship for older residents and help people to live full  lives.”   

Cllr Zoe Nolan added, “The Labour Party nationally has called for tenants to have a default right to keep pets unless they are a nuisance. I think this is spot on and Milton Keynes Council should be supportive of sheltered housing tenants who want to have a pet.” 

Carole Baume concluded, “I have written to the Council about being kinder towards tenants having pets and asked them to develop such a policy. As they don’t currently have a formal policy.”