5 days ago
Social housing tenants thrive five years after Vic laws help many to get a pet
It was a cold, wet night as Juliana huddled with her three children in their makeshift home — a tent at a campsite in regional Victoria.
Talking with her kids that evening, with the temperature just 5 degrees Celsius, she made them a promise.
"The tent was sprinkled with snow and it was really cold," Juliana said.
The family were left without a permanent place to live after being forced to flee their Melbourne home.
They ended up in north-east Victoria and spent more than a year camping in a forest, staying in caravan parks and with friends.
Several years on, the family has a permanent place to live through social housing and Juliana has delivered on her promise.
Bobika the Kelpie, or Bobby as he is affectionately known, has joined the family.
"Suddenly you have got a new place, a new house with a backyard, and you're feeling safe," Juliana said.
The story of Bobby, Juliana and her family is one of 12 featured in the 2025 calendar initiative run by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Pets at Our Place was introduced in 2024 to celebrate the positive stories and lives of public and community housing residents in Victoria.
"It's an opportunity for people to talk in a positive way about the role pets play in supporting them to stay healthy, active, involved and engaged in their communities," said Danny O'Kelly, a spokesperson from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
The calendars, which double as a resource with useful phone numbers and email addresses, are distributed to tenants.
The initiative has been such a success, entries are now open for the 2026 calendar.
This year coincides with the five-year anniversary of Victorian legislation allowing renters, including those in public housing, to keep pets in rental properties with the landlord's written consent.
As well as cats and dogs, the calendar stars unexpected pets like Harriet the sheep.
Harriet now calls Hamilton in Victoria's south-west home after being rescued as a lamb by Jennifer and her children Sky-la and Harper.
"She is part of the family now," Jennifer said.
"The kids love playing with her in the yard."
Mr O'Kelly said Harriet was a great example of what could happen when pets were introduced to the family home.
"I was really chuffed when I saw Harriet the sheep featuring in January and the impact that Harriet has had on that family," he said.
For Sara Winter, walking into her brand-new social housing property in Melbourne "felt like Christmas".
She and daughter Leanna had experienced homelessness, including time spent sleeping in a car and emergency housing.
"I remember feeling so very, very grateful."
After gaining stable accommodation through social housing, Ms Winter's focus turned to creating a home for her daughter.
So rabbits Ronald and Runner soon joined the family.
"They are like our family," Ms Winter said.
"After going through such an experience of not having a house, it was just perfect for us to have pets."
Leanna said Ronald and Runner helped her settle into the new home.
"I used not to really like this house very much, especially when we moved in, because it was just so empty and plain to me," she said.
"But now, I feel like this really is my home thanks to the rabbits.
"The bunnies are like siblings to me; Runner is my sister and Ronald is my brother."
