Keeping pets and animals

We have updated our Tenancy Agreement and rules about keeping pets and animals.

All tenants are now required to request permission before keeping any pet or animal in their council home, regardless of the type of property they live in.

Whether you live in a house, bungalow, flat or other council-owned accommodation, you must obtain permission before bringing a pet or animal into your home.

• you will need our written permission to keep a pet
• only domestic pets can be kept in council properties
• you must not keep or bring any animal which is classified as dangerous under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 or the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
• you cannot keep a pet that is likely to cause a nuisance to your neighbours or other visitors to your property.
• you will only be allowed to keep a maximum number of pets in your home (with prior written permission), these are:

* Please note that we will allow 2 birds with one cage in flats and maisonettes for the purposes of animal welfare as it is inhumane for some species to live alone.

** Please note that we will allow 2 fish tanks in flats and maisonettes where appropriately sized for the property.

Asking you to get permission before keeping a pet or animal helps us to:

• maintain accurate records of which households have pets or animals
• understand the types and number of pets or animals being kept in our homes
• respond more effectively to reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and nuisance issues involving pets or animals
• promote responsible pet ownership
• help keep our neighbourhoods, communities and communal areas safe for everyone
• ensure that pets and animals are suitable for the property and do not have a negative impact on neighbours.

Having up to date information about pets and animals also helps us work with tenants to prevent issues from arising and to resolve concerns quickly when they do occur.

When considering a request, we will take into account the following:

• the type, breed and size of the animal
• the type and size of your home
• the number of people living in your home
• the number and type of pets already living in your home
• access to suitable outdoor space, green areas and nearby roads
• whether your home is in an independent living (sheltered housing) scheme
• any licensing or legal requirements relating to the animal
• any history of anti-social behaviour, tenancy breaches or significant rent arrears.

We will consider each request individually and let you know our decision in writing as soon as possible.

Check with us before you purchase or accept a pet, to avoid disappointment using the form below.

• Check with us (opens in new tab)

If you already have a pet or animal and have permission from us to keep it in your home, you do not need to apply again.

You only need to make a new request if you want to keep an additional pet or animal.

If you're not sure whether you have permission, please contact us on 01304 801084 or send an email to housing@dover.gov.uk (opens in new tab) and we'll check our records for you.

You can request permission to keep a pet by completing the form below.

• Request permission to keep a pet (opens in new tab)

If you are struggling to complete the online form or have any questions, please contact us on 01304 801084 to speak to a member of the team.

We will not grant permission if the pet or animal you want to keep in your home is:

• any dog the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 applies to, unless there is an exemption
• any animal the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 applies to
• any dangerous animal
• any animal which causes a health and safety risk in the area
• any animal which is not bred to be a domestic pet
• cockerels.

If we grant you permission, you must abide by the terms and conditions of the permission and the Tenancy Agreement.

You must request permission for each new pet or animal you want to bring into your home.

Your responsibilities for keeping a pet or animal in your home will be set out in the terms and conditions of the permission. You must also comply with your responsibilities as set out in your Tenancy Agreement.

However, in general, the following will apply:

• you must always keep your pet or animal under control
• you must ensure you have the correct licenses and certification to keep the animal in your home
• clean up after your pet or animal in communal and public areas
• ensure your pet or animal is cared for appropriately and their welfare needs are met
• do not allow your pets or animals to cause a nuisance, for example, fouling in shared areas such as lifts, stair and landings, or making too much noise such as barking
• if you live in a property with shared areas, you must exercise your pet away from the property
• do not allow any animal you keep at your home to cause a nuisance to your neighbours, your neighbourhood, council staff, as well as contractors, operatives and agents acting on our behalf
• make sure your pet is appropriately supervised and does not cause damage to your home, neighbouring homes and shared areas (internal and external)
• you will be responsible for providing and maintaining any fencing or caging specifically needed to control your pet or animal.

We can retract granted permission if you, any other person living in or visiting the property (including children), your friends and relatives, break the conditions of your Tenancy Agreement and/or the terms and conditions of the permission.

We may also take enforcement action, which could ultimately end in you losing your home.

We recognise the important role that guide dogs and assistance dogs play in helping people to live independently.

We still ask that you let us know about your guide dog and assistance dog, including proof of registration, so that we can keep our records up to date. This will help us ensure we have accurate information about pets living in our homes and communities.

If you own a dog or a cat, it must be microchipped and registered. This is a legal requirement. Owners who fail to comply may face a fine.

You can get your dog or cat microchipped for a small fee by calling 01304 872289 or by completing the form below.

• Get your pet microchipped (opens in new tab)

We want to support tenants to be responsible pet and animal owners and ensure pets and animals are happy, healthy and well cared for.

If you are struggling to care for your pet, your circumstances have changed or you need advice on how to get permission, pet care, training, behaviour, rehoming or accessing animal welfare services, please contact us and seek support as early as possible.

• Council tenant enquiry form (opens in new tab)

The organisations below may also be able to provide advice and assistance.

National organisations

• RSPCA – advice on pet welfare, responsible ownership and animal care www.rspca.org.uk (opens in new tab)
• Dogs Trust – dog care advice, behaviour support and information for dog owners www.dogstrust.org.uk (opens in new tab)
• Cats Protection – information on cat care, behaviour and welfare www.cats.org.uk (opens in new tab)
• Blue Cross – advice on pet care, behaviour, bereavement support and rehoming www.bluecross.org.uk (opens in new tab)

Local support in East Kent and Dover District

• RSPCA Canterbury and District Branch – provides animal welfare support, advice, rehabilitation and rehoming services across East Kent, including the Dover area www.rspca-canterbury.org.uk (opens in new tab)
• Guardian Angels Dog Rescue – a South East Kent charity helping to rescue, foster and rehome dogs www.guardianangelsdogrescue.co.uk (opens in new tab)
• Chancepixies Animal Welfare – a Dover-based animal welfare charity that supports responsible pet ownership and helps rehome dogs www.chancepixies.com (opens in new tab)

Our dog warden helps ensure that dogs are kept safely and responsibly within the district.

If you have concerns about stray dogs, dog fouling, or dangerous or out-of-control dogs, you can report these issues to the Dog Warden Service.

• Contact the Dog Warden Service (opens in new tab)

We understand that problems involving pets and animals can sometimes affect neighbours' quality of life. This may include issues such as persistent noise, aggressive behaviour, fouling in communal areas or animals being kept in unsuitable conditions.

If you are experiencing nuisance from a pet or animal, please report it to us with as much detail as possible, including what is happening, when incidents occur and how you are being affected. Where appropriate, we may ask for supporting evidence such as diary sheets.

• Report it to us

When investigating reports, we will consider factors such as:

• the nature and frequency of the behaviour
• whether the issue is having a significant impact on others
• any evidence available to support the complaint
• the welfare of the animal and the circumstances of the owner
• whether the issue is best dealt with by the council, environmental health, the police or another agency.

Not all complaints involving pets or animals will be considered anti-social behaviour, but we will assess each report on its individual circumstances and take appropriate action where necessary.

From 1 February 2024, it became illegal to own an American Bully XL dog if it is not registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs. It is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, rehome, abandon or allow an American Bully XL dog to stray.

You may keep an XL Bully in your DDC home, but you must have a Certificate of Exemption and ensure they are:

• kept on a lead and muzzled at all times when in public, even in communal areas.
• kept in a secure place so they can’t escape and secure them in a separate part of your home when DDC staff and contractors visit.

And you must:

• inform DDC, so staff and contractors are aware when visiting your home.
• have third party liability insurance against your dog injuring other people
• be aged over 16
• show the Certificate of Exemption when asked by a police officer or council dog warden, either at the time or within 5 days
• let the Index of Exempt Dogs know if you change address or if your dog dies.

You can find out more in our Pets Policy.