“Compassionate, open-minded landlords” wanted for pet-friendly initiative

Monday 10 May 2021

The Pancake Project has been promoting the importance of animals and their place in people's homes, and its latest initiative calls for landlords to get on board by allowing pets in their properties.

‘Landlords On Board’ is a public call for pet-friendly landlords to sign up and list their properties for free with the Pancake Project.

It comes at a time when people are finding it harder and harder to rent, pet or not. Organiser Bea Smith said some people have even had to leave the island.

“There’s one nurse who had to leave with her partner,” she said. “They had a dog and have been looking for a property for a year. They weren’t able to find one so had to leave back to the UK.”

Pictured: The project is named after Bea’s emotional support animal, Pancake the rabbit.

“We get the excuse that it’s because of the carpet,” said Bea when explaining why many landlords don’t allow pets.

“They’ve had a dog in the past who has ripped up the carpets. We come in to alleviate their concerns and offer pet proofing.”

The Pancake Project has worked with the GSPCA in the past to pet-proof homes and will be offering home inspections for all landlords who get involved.

“It also shouldn’t be a blanket ‘no’ to pets when they might allow a goldfish or a hamster. It’s not all about allowing dogs,” she said.

Pictured: Bea started the project when she found it difficult to find accommodation with her rabbit, which is registered with her Doctor to support her mental health. 

Landlords aren’t being asked to accept all pets and the group is developing the Pancake Project Icon to indicate whether a landlord would even accept a goldfish, if not a dog.

The project has teamed up with Swoffers to provide the ‘Pet Logo Plan’ on its rental properties and is offering support for landlords who want to allow pets.

If you’d like to sign up as a pet-friendly landlord you can email Bea at bea@thepancakeproject.info.