Cats and dogs can Britain’s favourite pets, but if you live in council accommodation you’d probably have to make do with a bird or fish.

The most popular pets in Britain are banned in the majority of local authority housing, a survey has found.

A pet policy survey has revealed that 52% of local authorities effectively ban all pets bar budgies and goldfish. Housing associations are more amenable, with only 37% barring cats and dogs from their estates.

The pet policy survey conducted by Pathway, a pets and housing working group, found that though 84% of housing providers have a pet policy, many tenants are left companionless by rules restricting tenants from cohabiting with moggies and mutts.

Now Pathway is taking a stand against such pet prejudice. In collaboration with the Pets Advisory Committee it is publishing guidelines in Spring 2005 that will provide housing providers with more “informed and clear pet policies.” The days of hiding hamsters under the stairs could be coming to an end.