More pets to be allowed in military accommodation as UK Government cuts red tape
Troops in military accommodation will face fewer obstacles to owning pets under new rules introduced this week.
Service personnel and their families have previously faced a bureaucratic process to get permission to own a pet if they live in military housing.
But from this week they will be allowed to keep up to two dogs, cats or smaller pets without needing permission, with the Ministry of Defence recognising the “vital role” they play in family life and mental wellbeing.
The measures announced today will benefit over 800 military households in Wales.
Defence minister Al Carns said: “As a dog owner and Royal Marine who served for 24 years, much of it in service accommodation, I’m delighted to be making it easier for our dedicated personnel to own family pets.”
Freedom
The Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “I’m delighted that families in military housing in Wales will be able to benefit from these new measures. Pets, as well as being able to personalise your home or run your own business are all important for a happy family life.
“Wales has a long and proud tradition of military service, and it is right that the housing provided for our service people and their families are places that they can truly call home.”
Other changes introduced this week will see service personnel given more freedom to personalise their accommodation and new, easier processes for their family members to run a business from their home.
The changes are part of Defence Secretary John Healey’s pledge to “stop the rot” and improve standards in service accommodation.
‘Consumer charter’
Healy said: “Our armed forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe every day.
“But for too long, military families have lived in substandard housing without basic consumer rights.
“These new measures are a key milestone as we deliver on our consumer charter to stop the rot in military accommodation and ensure our heroes and their loved ones live in houses they can truly call home.”
In April, Mr Healey announced a new “consumer charter” for service accommodation, including more reliable repairs, a named housing officer for every service family and a higher minimum standard for housing.
The Government has also brought 36,000 military homes back into public ownership in an effort to reduce costs and improve standards.
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What bureaucratic process? You submit vaccination paper work, possible ownership paperwork to the site administrator (usually the head of the admin office and or the Regimental Sergent Major or Company Sergeant Major depending) and jobs a good ‘un. Military sites, even the residential parts are working establishments and any Commanding Officer who doesn’t know what’s on his site shouldn’t be there. You might need a deposit to cover any damage (but this appears to be site dependent). Dogs are everywhere… so are cats on various military sites. Which is great because a few of them have rat problems. The permission… Read more »