The Animal Sentience Committee has told the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that animal welfare was not explicitly considered when ministers developed A National Plan to End Homelessness. The correspondence was sent to Angela Rayner on 15 September 2026 and published by Defra on 6 October 2026. Under its remit, the committee examines whether central government has appropriately considered animal welfare in policy-making. (gov.uk)
The homelessness strategy itself was published on 11 December 2025, applies to England, and sets out a cross-government plan to prevent homelessness and end rough sleeping. In the letter, the committee points to the scale of the issue, noting that around 900 households a day were becoming homeless or facing homelessness, including almost 300 families with children. (gov.uk)
The committee’s concern is indirect but practical. It says many people experiencing homelessness rely on companion animals, particularly dogs, for companionship, emotional support, personal security and routine. Where temporary accommodation or support services do not accept animals, owners may face a choice between shelter and keeping the animal with them, creating risks of separation, disrupted care arrangements or abandonment. (gov.uk)
Officials told the committee that animal welfare was not explicitly assessed during drafting because the plan was intended as a high-level national strategy rather than an operational document. They said fuller detail would sit in later guidance, frameworks and implementation tools for local authorities. Officials also acknowledged that pets can matter to wellbeing and recovery, while noting that government does not generally direct how external services are run. (gov.uk)
The committee accepted that many decisions affecting companion animals will be made at implementation stage rather than in the strategy text. Even so, it concluded that the omission still matters because the plan contains no reference to companion animals or animal welfare, and does not recognise relevant support organisations in the strategic framework’s roles and responsibilities. (gov.uk)
Its recommendations are procedural rather than structural. The committee wants animal welfare built into future guidance, delivery tools and reviews of the homelessness plan; clearer advice for local authorities and service providers on avoiding unnecessary separation; and stronger engagement with animal welfare bodies, housing providers and homelessness charities on pet-inclusive provision. Because this was issued as correspondence rather than a formal report, it does not trigger the requirement for a ministerial response to be laid before Parliament. (gov.uk)