If you're a Maidstone Borough Council tenant and want to keep a pet, here's what you need to know.

Pets you can keep

You can keep:

• dogs, with our written permission
• up to two cats without asking us — more than two cats need our written permission
• fish
• caged birds
• small caged animals, for example hamsters or rabbits

You do not need permission to keep fish, birds or small caged animals. You always need our written permission before you get a dog, even if it's only staying with you temporarily.

Pets we do not allow

We do not allow:

• wild animals, livestock or farm animals
• endangered species
• banned dog breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, including the Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasileiro
• dangerous wild animals, including venomous snakes, certain spiders and some breeds of monkey

Number of pets

You can have a maximum of either:

• one dog and one cat
• two cats and no dog

You can also have:

• two small caged animals
• a reasonable number of caged birds

Keeping a dog

Ask us for written permission before you get a dog.

If we say yes, you must:

• get your dog microchipped, as this is a legal requirement
• keep vaccinations and flea and worm treatments up to date
• give your dog regular exercise and not leave it alone for long periods
• stop your dog barking continuously or at unsociable hours
• clean up after your dog regularly, indoors and in the garden
• keep your dog under control at all times, so it does not stray, cause damage or hurt anyone

Permission

If you get a pet without asking us first, you'll be breaking the terms of your tenancy. We'll give you a warning and ask you to rehome the pet within 14 days. If you do not, we may ask you to leave your home.

Complaints

If we get a complaint about your pet, we'll treat it as anti-social behaviour. We'll usually ask you to sort out the problem yourself first. If the problem continues, we may withdraw your permission to keep the pet and take further action.

We take these complaints seriously:

• mess left in shared areas, staircases, walkways or courtyards
• your pet injuring or frightening someone
• your pet being out of control or a danger to others
• noise that causes distress or upsets neighbours
• not following a dog control notice
• not keeping your home and garden in good condition

Looking after your pet

By law, you're responsible for your pet's welfare. You must give it:

• a suitable place to live
• the chance to behave naturally, including regular exercise
• a proper diet
• protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

If we believe you've neglected or abandoned a pet, we'll report it to an animal welfare organisation.

If you're thinking about getting a pet or have questions about this policy, get in touch with us by phone or email mbcaccommodation@maidstone.gov.uk.