First National Real Estate has launched a ‘Pet Friendly’ property search feature for its website to help stem an escalating social issue - pet owners finding a home for them and their companion animal. According to National Communications Manager, Stewart Bunn from First National Real Estate, the Pet Friendly rental property search feature is a way to simplify the property hunt for tenants with docile dogs and considerate cats who are increasingly finding it difficult to find pet friendly rental accommodation. “Finding homes for the whole family can be a real issue for tenants with pets because many landlords prefer their property managers to steer clear of the potential problems that can arise,” Stewart Bunn said.“But the vast majority of pet owners acts responsibly and takes great care of their rental home because they know how hard it can be to find another pet friendly property.”

The First National Pet Friendly search feature clearly labels properties where pets with good references will be considered by the landlord.  At the same time, the new feature better serves the interests of landlords by opening up a large market of potential customers who are socially responsible pet owners. Mr Bunn said there was an obvious need for a feature of this type, with figures from the website extremely encouraging. “We were receiving rental listings for inclusion in the feature almost from the minute of going live, even though we had not officially launched the feature,” Mr Bunn said. “We now have more than 100 ‘Pet Friendly’ property matches listed nationally on the national website firstnational.com.au, rental website rentalrealestate.com.au and holiday accommodation website holidayrealestate.com.au.

The President of peak body, Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC) congratulated First National Real Estate on its proactive initiative, after animal welfare groups  recently called on landlords and real estate agents to relax their “no pet” policies for rental properties and enable people to keep their pets. “As our social demographics change and increased high density living and changing lifestyles are becoming the norm, a lack of understanding by landlords is creating an environment in which pet ownership is becoming increasingly more difficult,” Dr Kersti Seksel, President, ACAC said. “Pets are wonderful companions and provide significant psychological and physiological benefits to owners.“Australia has one of the highest levels of pet ownership per capita in the world with almost two thirds of Australian households currently owning at least one pet. With pets being treated more like ‘one of the family’ than ever before, First National Real Estate is to be congratulated for making it easier for people and pets to find a home together.”
 
The Australian Veterinary Association President, Dr Mark Lawrie, echoed Dr Seksel, saying, ”We’ve fallen behind the United States and Europe in respect to the pet-friendliness of our living situations, although there are clear signs that is changing. We do need to see more inclusion of pets in our daily lives such as in cafes and on public transport as well as in our residential situations. “It’s great to see First National Real Estate taking the lead in Australia and having the vision to realise this search feature as a progressive pathway to take. We highly commend them for supporting those who value pets in their lives.”

9 November, 2009