Care of pets

In all cases, the best solution for care of someone's pet if for a friend or family member to take care of it.

However, the County Council has a duty to look after pets in an emergency situation under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948.

For example:

• If someone is living in squalid conditions and does not seem to recognise the extent of risk of harm to life and limb, the County Council can seek an order through the courts to remove the person to a place of safety pending assessments. That might include the cost of board and lodging for a pet pending the outcome of an assessment.

• If someone is admitted to hospital in an emergency and there is no one else who can care for the pet, the County Council has a duty to fund board and lodging for the pet pending the outcome of the hospital stay.

• If someone is admitted to residential care due to a complete breakdown at home and there is no one else who can take care of pets, the County Council has a duty to fund board and lodging for the pet pending an assessment.

In all circumstances above, the County Council would seek alternative accommodation for the pet once the outcome of the emergency had been resolved.  

For example:

• If a residential placement became permanent, a home might agree to house a pet along with its owner, but the cost of the pet's food and care would be the financial responsibility of the individual. If not, the pet would need to be rehomed.

• If someone died as a result of emergency admission to hospital, the pet would need to be rehomed.

• If someone has been removed from their home due to squalid conditions, once the immediate emergency has been resolved, the pet would be rehomed.

All these scenarios are examples of situations which might arise. The County Council will always seek to have pets cared for by friends or family of their owners wherever possible.