Pets in council properties

You do not need to ask us for permission if you want to keep:

• Small birds kept in a cage indoors.
• Small caged animals, like hamsters or rabbits.
• Small fish tanks.
• Small exotic pets (as long as they are not venomous and do not need to be registered under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976).

Even if you do not need permission for these animals, you must still make sure that:

• You keep them to a manageable number.
• They have safe and proper shelter, like a suitable hutch or cage.
• You care for them following RSPCA guidelines.

To register an assistance animal in the UK, you can reach out to the following organisations:

• The Emotional Support Animal Registry
• The Assistance Dog Registry for guidance and support

You are not allowed to breed or sell any animals from a Thanet District Council property.

We look at every request carefully. We might refuse permission if we feel the type of pet is not suitable for your property.

We may also refuse your request if you have broken your tenancy agreement.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Owing rent (rent arrears).
• Not letting our team in to do urgent or mandatory repairs.
• Not letting our team in for safety checks (including gas, electrical, and legionella checks).
• Having complaints against you for noise or anti-social behaviour.
• Not keeping your home in a clean and satisfactory condition.

If you need to make changes to your home for your pet, such as fitting a cat flap, you must ask for our permission first. You can find out how to do this on our alterations to your home page.

Please note: You are not allowed to fit a cat flap if your door opens into a shared, indoor space (like a communal hallway in a block of flats).

Please refer to our Pet Policy for more information