Labour has said that the elderly and homeless should be able to take their animals into supported or temporary accommodation
People who have to enter care homes should be able to take their pets with them.
At present, vulnerable or elderly Scots are not allowed to take their animals with them if they have to move into supported accommodation.
However Scottish Labour has said it would like to see a new approach which would allow people to retain their pets.
Environment spokesperson Claudia Beamish said that people should have the right to keep their animals by their sides.
She said: “Whether it is having limited choices in rented accommodation, moving into a care home or sheltered housing, or seeking temporary accommodation for the homeless – all of these people should have the right to keep their beloved pets by their side.
“This can be distressing for animal and owner, and can add to our already overcrowded local rehoming centres.”
The party has said it will work with landlords, tenants, care homes and temporary accommodation providers, as well as advocate groups, to keep owners and animals together. It has pledged to carry out a consultation on its proposals.
The move has been backed by Anthea Fraser, a service manager at Cowan Court Extra Care Housing in Midlothian, a home which allows residents to keep their pets.
She said: “It’s about engaging with our tenants and meeting all of their outcomes. We want to create a home from home, so if it’s important to an individual to bring their pet, or even to adopt a new pet, we support and enable them to do so. We have a person-centred approach and the staff here have all adopted and embraced that philosophy.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "We want to ensure that all elderly and vulnerable people are fully supported in finding and keeping a home that works for them.
"Decisions around keeping pets are for individual accommodation providers, however, we would encourage them to take a practical and considered approach that removes any potential for distress or difficulties, and ensure elderly and vulnerable people have a positive outcome."
