We're proud to have been awarded a Gold Housing Footprint in the RSPCA's 2021 PawPrints awards.
The award is the only award scheme across England and Wales to recognise good practice from local authorities and housing providers in relation to animal welfare. They celebrate organisations that exceed basic and statutory service requirements to achieve higher animal welfare standards. Each Footprint has three levels – bronze, silver and gold.
This year, we have been awarded our ninth gold award for our continued work in our homes and communities. Through our pet policy, and partnership working with our tenancy services officers and local organisations, we can ensure the health and wellbeing of dogs in our properties are of a good standard.
The popular Love Your Dog Roadshows began 2016 - and though we haven't been able to run any this year - we found as a result, the number of complaints about animal nuisance reduced. As well as plenty of advice on health, wellbeing and behaviour, there are freebies available and while the focus will be on dog health and wellbeing, we are happy to talk to tenants about other more general issues.
We also reviewed our pets policy in 2019, cats and dogs are now allowed in most West Kent homes - so more residents than ever can enjoy the benefits of pet ownership.
Rachel Williams, Senior Parliamentary Advisor at the RSPCA said: "I know how much of a challenge the past 18 months have posed, and continue to pose, to everyone working on the front line of animal welfare. Winning a PawPrint this year, more than ever, is an achievement that I hope you and your team are really proud of."