Northampton woman launches petition after being forced to choose between a home and her dog

A dog owner who needed council support finding accommodation says she was forced to choose between a place to stay and her beloved pet.

Shanice Barnes approached West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) for help finding temporary accommodation following a relationship breakdown.

But she says the authority told her she would not be able to take her three-year-old emotional support dog, Thea.

Shanice, age 28, said: “I approached West Northamptonshire Council for help because I had no other realistic options.

“I was eventually accepted as being in priority need, but accessing suitable temporary accommodation became an ordeal in itself.

“The council’s position was that they couldn’t accommodate dogs, despite knowing my circumstances and the importance of keeping Thea with me. I was repeatedly told there was nowhere available that would accept her and was effectively expected to manage without her.

“She’s not simply a pet to me. She’s my emotional support, my companion and a huge part of my life. She’s one of the biggest reasons I get up in the morning and my reason to keep going through some of my hardest days.”

Shanice says she was told to register Thea as an emotional support pet, which she did, but has still been unable to secure accommodation together.

The former Duston School student has now launched a petition calling on WNC to not have a blanket ban on emotional support animals in temporary housing, and consider individual circumstances. It has so-far received some 165 signatures.

Shanice said: “I’ve been put in the position of having to choose between safe accommodation and keeping Thea by my side because of blanket bans on animals in temporary housing.

“Nobody should have to make that choice, especially when they’re already vulnerable and trying to rebuild their life.

“The council’s actions have contributed to further mental health breakdowns and have left me feeling completely broken. I feel I have experienced an unacceptable level of treatment from an organisation that should be helping vulnerable people.”

A WNC spokeswoman said: "We recognise pets and emotional support animals can play an important role in people's wellbeing.

“While pets are not usually permitted in temporary accommodation, there is no blanket ban. Each case is considered on its individual circumstances, taking into account the resident's needs, the suitability of the accommodation available, and any relevant legal considerations, including the council's duties under the Equality Act 2010."

Shanice has said she refuses to be separated from Thea, who she has had since she was a puppy.

She hopes the petition will stop anyone else going through a similar situation.

Shanice added: “I am being expected to choose between having a roof over my head and keeping the one constant in my life.

“I really hope to bring about some change. I don’t want anyone else to find themselves in this position.”

Visit www.change.org/p/stop-blanket-bans-on-emotional-support-animals-in-temporary-housing to sign the petition.