Camberwell Junction has long been the epicentre of amenity in Melbourne’s Boroondara region.

For nearly a century, it has drawn both locals and visitors, anchored by the Camberwell Sunday Market, which first operated in 1929 and quickly became a fixture of the suburb’s identity. Over time, the Junction evolved into one of Melbourne’s most established retail and lifestyle precincts, now comprising more than 400 stores and over 300 commercial businesses.

Despite that depth of amenity, one thing has remained notably limited: the supply of new apartments.

In a suburb defined by its heritage streetscapes and tightly held residential stock, new development opportunities have been scarce, particularly within the core of the Junction itself. That lack of supply has left a gap in the market for larger, design-led apartments suited to downsizers and owner-occupiers wanting to remain in the area.

Boutique developer Above Zero identified that gap when it secured a prime site on Burke Road, in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368543]

The site has a long planning history. Various proposals have been put forward over more than a decade, many of which were knocked back by the City of Boroondara, with initial applications dating back to 2015. Above Zero acquired the site in 2022 and returned with a revised scheme, refining both the building’s height and its ground-level interface to better align with Council expectations.

That process has culminated in approval for Camberwell House.

The Cera Stribley-designed development will deliver 57 residences on a 1,950 sqm site within the Camberwell Activity Centre, placing it directly within one of Melbourne’s most established retail and transport hubs.

It is expected to be one of the only new apartment developments to launch in the Junction in recent years, reinforcing the rarity of new supply in the precinct. Currently, there are just a handful of projects on the market in Camberwell, underscoring the significance of a development of this scale and positioning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368544]

Camberwell House has been conceived with a clear focus on larger-format apartments. The project will offer a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, alongside a limited number of penthouses, targeting owner-occupiers seeking scale rather than volume-driven product.

The building’s vertical presence will also set it apart.

Positioned on Burke Road, the development is set to become one of the taller buildings in its immediate context, allowing for elevated outlooks across Melbourne’s CBD skyline and toward the Dandenong Ranges. In a precinct characterised by lower-scale built form, that height provides a point of differentiation, particularly for buyers seeking outlook and natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368568]

Architecture has been led by Cera Stribley, with interiors by GOLDEN and landscape design by Florian Wild. The design approach centres on material consistency and restraint, with residences oriented to maximise light, ventilation and connection to outdoor spaces.

Full-height glazing and generous terraces form a key part of that strategy, allowing apartments to extend beyond their internal footprint and engage with the surrounding environment.

Beyond the private residences, a significant component of the project is its amenity offering.

Above Zero has positioned Camberwell House as a “complete living environment”, incorporating a full floor dedicated to resident facilities. At the centre of that is a wellness zone, including a 12.5-metre lap pool, spa, sauna and treatment spaces, alongside a gym and recovery-focused amenities.

This level of amenity is more commonly associated with inner-city developments, rather than established middle-ring suburbs like Camberwell.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4896 project_image_fid=368588]

Additional shared spaces include a private library lounge, dining and entertaining areas, and an indoor golf simulator. A self-contained guest suite has also been incorporated, allowing residents to accommodate visiting family or friends without impacting their primary living space.

The inclusion of these facilities reflects a broader shift in buyer expectations.

As more downsizers look to transition from larger family homes into apartments, there is increasing demand for developments that offer not just a residence, but a lifestyle. That includes access to wellness, social and entertaining spaces within the building itself, reducing the reliance on external amenity while still maintaining proximity to established precincts.

Camberwell House is positioned to benefit from both.

Its location places it within immediate walking distance of Camberwell Junction’s retail and dining offering, as well as public transport connections, including tram and train services. That combination of internal amenity and external convenience is central to its appeal.

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Jellis Craig Projects Director Stephen Bowtell is handling sales for the project and says Camberwell House offers a rare entry point into one of Melbourne’s most tightly held markets.

“Buyers are recognising that Camberwell House offers something they simply haven’t seen before in Boroondara,”&nbsp;Bowtell&nbsp;says.

“It combines a level of resident amenity and service typically associated with Melbourne’s premium inner-city developments, while being positioned right in the heart of Camberwell Junction.

“The response to the concierge offering has been particularly strong. Buyers appreciate not only the convenience, but also the sense of security and peace of mind that comes from having a dedicated presence in the building every day.

“When you combine that with the wellness facilities, the exceptional arrival experience, and panoramic views across both the CBD skyline and the Dandenong Ranges, it creates a lifestyle proposition that is genuinely unique within the local market.”
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4896]

Joel Robinson

Above Zero launches Camberwell House in undersupplied Camberwell Junction precinct

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Pets

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Cats, dogs, birds and even fish, for many of us they are our closest companions, however, under some strata's rules pets are not allowed.

However, new laws have been introduced to make it easier than ever to include pets in your apartment.

But beyond that, there are developments that welcome pets with open arms and even facilitate pet living and lifestyles.

Here are 4 incredible Melbourne apartments which welcome your pets:

1. Voyager, Docklands 
Address: 103 South Wharf Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 
Two-bedroom apartments from $706,500

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3494]

Voyager, a chic residential tower delivered by Mirvac, is a new development set within the master-planned Yarra’s Edge precinct.

The harbourside precinct, set to be home to over 3,000 people, boasts over 1,000 sqm of fine dining and retail, a state-of-the-art wellness centre, parklands and marina berths.

Voyager boasts an abundance of premium amenities, designed for residents and their guests to entertain or retreat. The residence’s waterfront location offers sensation views of the Melbourne CBD.

The 315 contemporary apartments contain versatile floor plans available to suit any lifestyle or companion!

2. Folia, Doncaster 
Address: 59 Stables Circuit, Doncaster VIC 3108 
One-bedroom apartments from $400,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22584]

Situated on Doncaster Road, Folia forms part of Mirvac’s larger master-planned community, Tullamore.

Achieving the highest environmental certification in Australia, the development has achieved a six-leaf EnviroDevelopment accreditation, thanks to its many sustainable features.

These include a 70kWh solar panel array, renewable energy and battery storage and the possibility of including a Tesla Powerwall II battery within each residence. 

The broader development site also boasts 20 per cent of open, green space, so there's plenty of space to play with your furry companions

3. Sky Garden, Glen Waverley 
Address: 227 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley VIC 3150 
Two-bedroom apartments from $668,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2881]

Sky Garden, the latest development by the diversified property group Golden Age, spans three towers across the new and improved The Glen shopping centre in Melbourne's Glen Waverley.

Famed architecture firm Rothelowman designed the three apartment buildings, soaring 12, 13 and 20 levels and homing 555 one, two and three-bedroom apartments,

The apartment development is part of the $430 million Glen redevelopment which completed construction in December 2020.

Sky Garden features over 4,000 square metres of internal and external facilities with one of the most impressive features unsurprisingly being the garden in the sky.

The Sky Garden has sun lounges, a bar and kitchen for entertaining, a kids playground, veggie gardens, large lawns with water features and private dining and seating sanctuaries to unwind. The Sky Garden is located above the podium levels linking each tower.

4. K1 Residences, Melbourne 
Address: 1 Union Street, Melbourne VIC 3004 
Four-bedroom residences from $2,590,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2772]

For a truly exclusive pet palace, there is K1 Residences, delivered by the rapidly growing Optimus Developments, it is made up of 13 whole floors, four-bedroom apartments with gun-barrel views across Albert Park.

With architecture by award-winning DE atelier Architect, design details include spacious garden balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows doors and oversized bathrooms.

Interior design is from Bergman and Co, while landscape architects Aspect Studios handled K1’s gardens, a defining element of the building. Plus with Albert Park just across the road, it's a short walk for some fresh air with your pets.

The 175 sqm apartments come in a variety of four-bedroom configurations which is attractive for the downsizer market who are taking advantage of the soaring housing market by cashing in.

There are a number of curved balconies in each apartment which make for a striking facade.
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Cats, dogs, birds and even fish, for many of us they are our closest companions, however, under some strata's rules pets are not allowed but there are always those that welcome pets with open arms

jordan_55689

Pet friendly palaces: Four Melbourne apartments perfect for pets

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The NSW Government is seeking amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 that will make pet ownership easier by requiring that by-laws cannot unreasonably prohibit the keeping of an animal on a strata lot.

The amendments follow the recent decision handed down by the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW in Cooper v the Owners - Strata Plan No. 58068 which overturned a by-law in the <a href="/news/horizon-darlinghurst-pet-ban-ruled-unconscionable-by-ncat">Darlinghurst highrise block, Horizon</a> that imposed a blanket ban on the keeping of pets.

“Owners should be able to use to use their property as they wish as long as it doesn’t unreasonably interfere with the rights of other owners to enjoy their own home and the common property in their apartment,” Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said.

“For too long common sense has been missing in this debate. 

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

“These amendments provide a sensible solution that balances the rights of pet owners with those of other apartment owners. 

“Importantly, the changes also recognise there will be times when the keeping of a pet may not be appropriate in a complex due to the impact this will have on neighbours or the welfare of the animal.

“These changes are a sensible response to modernise our strata laws by removing outdated, and unfair blanket pets bans where it can be shown that keeping a pet won’t impact other people.”

The NSW Government will now consult with the community to establish clear guidelines on when it will be considered unreasonable for a pet to be kept in a strata complex.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201]

It intends to finalise regulations within six months, before the new amendments come into force. 

This will also include details of how the new requirements will interact with existing by-laws.

To allow consultation, the government will extend the closing date for submissions to the current statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 until March 7 for anyone wishing to make a submission relating to the keeping of pets. 
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“For too long common sense has been missing in this debate,” Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said.



jchancellor

NSW Government seeks amends to pet ownership in Strata Schemes Management Act 2015

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Companion animals are part of our families, but inevitably the time comes for us to say goodbye to them due to old age or disease.
Many pet lovers opt to bury their pets in the backyard. However, there are some hidden risks to this, and there are other options that will help other pets, and even the owners who love them.
Donating their body to science, for research and veterinary training, can potentially help hundreds of pets.
Why the backyard isn’t best
Backyard burial may seem like the easiest way to respectfully take care of your pet’s remains. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous for other pets and wildlife. Most pets are put to sleep with an extremely concentrated anaesthetic agent, which results in a very peaceful death (hence the term euthanasia, which means “good death”). However this drug, pentobarbital, persists in the buried body of the pet for up to a year. Any animal scavenging on the remains will be poisoned by the euthanasia solution.
I have seen two cases in my career where this has happened, with serious consequences. In one case a family had their pet mouse put down and buried it in the backyard. The family’s terrier dug up and ate the mouse, and was comatose in intensive care for nearly a week. In another case, two farm dogs scavenged some bones from a cow which had been euthanased on a farm months before. One dog died and the other was seriously ill for several days.
If your pet dies of a disease which could be spread to other animals or even people, their body might also pose a risk. While vaccination has reduced the amount of dangerous pet diseases in the community, some diseases like <a href="https://theconversation.com/vaccinate-your-puppies-a-new-strain-of-parvo-has-been-found-in-australia-77236" target="_blank">parvovirus</a> still occur in outbreaks and are very hardy and spread readily between dogs.
This virus causes severe and sometimes fatal gastrointestinal disease in puppies and young dogs. Thankfully there are not many diseases we can catch from our pets, but some – such as salmonellosis and toxoplasmosis – can make sensitive people very ill.
What do to instead
One option is pet crematoriums and cemeteries, which are available in most large cities and regional centres in Australia. The services are very professional and cover a variety of options and price ranges that suit most pet owners. Costs may vary with the size of the pet.
Professional burial or cremation avoids the risks of environmental contamination or disease that might occur with backyard burial. For my own pets which have passed away, I chose cremation which typically costs A$200-300, and then buried their ashes under a memorial tree in my garden.
However, there is another path. As a veterinary pathologist, my job is to conduct autopsies on animals to determine their cause of death. We also use the knowledge and samples we get from the autopsies to conduct research to improve our understanding of diseases and treatments in both animals and people.
Our pets make excellent “<a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/animal-mode" target="_blank">models</a>” of diseases in both pets and people, allowing scientists to study the development and progression of a disease and develop new treatments.
Cancer is the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26566160" target="_blank">most common cause of death</a> for pet dogs. Many popular breeds get the same cancer at high rates, providing ample valuable research material. These dog cancers are similar in appearance, behaviour, treatments and genetic causes to many human cancers.
What’s more, because dogs share our home environments, but age faster and show more rapid cancer progression than humans, studying dogs provides <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26566160" target="_blank">faster research results</a>. In the United States, dog cancer trials are already informing trials on <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2753665/" target="_blank">new human treatments</a>.
Another area where dogs are valuable scientific allies is in the study of rare genetic and developmental diseases in children. As we have bred dogs for specific appearances, from squishy-faced French bulldogs to lanky greyhounds, we have unwittingly created genetic abnormalities. Some of these are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5070630/" target="_blank">close counterparts</a> of rare genetic disorders <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20075379" target="_blank">in children</a>. Thus, dogs can be used to help identify the genetic mutations behind the disease, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5070630/" target="_blank">how the faulty gene</a> affects human children.
Universities have rigorous ethical reviews for this type of research. However, it is vital that we have the opportunity to take samples of both common and rare pet diseases to form tissue banks. Most of this sampling happens during an autopsy after the pet has died or been put to sleep. These tissue samples are used to research better treatments.
How to donate
If you are interested in donating your pet’s body, your veterinarian can direct you to potential local options. In most large cities this will be the veterinary school at the local university. Alternatively, you can contact the veterinary science school directly through their website or general enquiries telephone number.
Most schools are interested in all species for teaching. My institution takes everything from mice to horses, and exotic pets like snakes and lizards. All these species provide opportunities to learn about their anatomy and diseases.
Beyond helping us research human diseases, veterinary schools need pet body donors to help teach anatomy, surgery and pathology. At its most ethical this training is done on the bodies of animals that have died from natural causes.
Donated pets provide my students with a valuable understanding of how disease affects the body. Further, we report the autopsy findings back to the pet’s veterinarian. This information is crucial to vets who want to confirm diagnoses, and for giving grieving owners some closure.
If you do opt to bury your euthanased pet, please consider enclosing their remains in a container that would prevent other animals accessing the body. Many local councils also have restrictions on pet burial, and it is worth looking at your local area’s guidelines.
Ultimately though, I would urge you to donate your pet’s body to science. The loss of a pet can be heartbreaking, but there are many ways to create a meaningful legacy from that loss which helps both pets and people.<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/113375/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;">
Rachel Allavena, Associate Professor, The University of Queensland
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-you-shouldnt-bury-your-pet-in-the-backyard-113375" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Why you shouldn’t bury your pet in the backyard

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Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, however only one in 20 rental properties in New South Wales are currently being advertised as pet friendly, according to research from Rent.com.au.
Their survey of 70,000 rental properties and 100,000 pet resumes has found only five percent in NSW explicitly allow pets, despite over 60 percent of Australian households having pets.
Rent.com.au chief executive Greg Bader says it's a disappointing result.
“As a general rule, rental properties are not pet friendly, which is interesting as research consistently shows that the value of having pets is huge.
“With so many of us generally owning pets, it’s a real equity issue.”
Investors renting out their properties have long been on the cautious side when advertising the property as pet friendly, however aren't necessarily against pet ownership in their home.
The survey found that while only five percent of rental homes in NSW were advertised as pet-friendly, and 53 per cent banned pets, 43 per cent make no mention of pets.
 
A renting couple in Redfern secured the lease for a house without a pet, however noticed a dog flap leading from the kitchen into the outdoor courtyard.
They wrote to their property manager about enquiring whether they could get a pet dog, who passed it on to the property owner.
They said no problem within minutes of the e-mail being sent, despite the listing specifically stating no pets.
The Redfern/Chippendale and Potts Point/Woolloomooloo areas are dominated by renters, each with 65 percent of the population renting there, according to the Committee for Sydney.
One Potts Point renter who lives in a pet-friendly apartment with his two cavoodles says it’s appalling that so few are allowed to keep animals.
“I’m a renter with pets and a real estate agent as well, and it’s interesting as I feel that children do more damage to rental properties than pets do,” says James Garwood, 32, one of the directors of Garwoods Estate Agents.
“We see so many pictures drawn on walls and scuffed and worn-out finishes.
“But the behaviour of pets come down to their owners, and we recommend that property owners do allow pets where possible, particularly as they’ll get a higher rent of 5 to 10 per cent more. We had one renter with a dog spending $1200 a week on a pet-friendly, two-bedroom unit when he could have easily spent $760 on a unit just for himself.”
 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/11/7/PETS.jpg" alt=""> 
Rent.com.au's Greg Bader says that there is the chance of discussing the lease terms as the heat comes out of the market and the level of competition for properties fall.
Pet-owning tenants in NSW aren’t quite as hard done by as those in Victoria, however, where only two percent of properties were advertised as pet friendly, but are eclipsed by the national average figure of 10 per cent indicating pets are allowed.
The Victorian government recently introduced changes to tenancy laws that are expected to allow pets automatically in rentals except in exceptional circumstances.
Vet Mark Perissinotto, managing director of VetShopAustralia, says landlords should think about how their property could be suitable for different types, breeds and sizes of pets.
“We’d advise them to consider providing guidance to would-be tenants on what the property can and cannot support,” Dr Perissinotto says. “It’s about understanding the size of the property, its locality to parks and other areas a pet can run free.”
From a real estate perspective, Mr Garwood, who lives with Poppi and Chelsea in his apartment, believes NSW property owners should be allowed to levy a pet bond – as operates in some other states – to reassure themselves about any damage that could be caused.
“But a lot of pets come these days with great references and their past history recorded, and their owners often have very strong rental applications,” he says. “They can make excellent tenants.”
 
 
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One in 20 NSW rental properties advertised as pet friendly

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Frasers Property Australia’s Discovery Point estate has been designed to encourage an outdoor lifestyle for residents and their dogs.
Nigel Edgar, the general manager Residential NSW at Frasers Property Australia, says the dynamic of the family was changing.
So new communities needed to meet evolving needs.
“Discovery Point reflects our emphasis on building communities for residents and their families, including their precious pets, to create an inclusive environment for families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy,” says Edgar.
“Pets are a very important part of peoples’ lives and we’re consciously building our communities to encourage pet owners to feel welcome.”
“Walking around the community with your pet not only does great things for your health, it helps you meet other residents. You’ll even find most coffee shops have a water bowl for dogs.”
For residents Jane and Roger, living in a pet friendly community was a must when looking for their new home.
“Our little 13-year-old dog has adapted to apartment living well. We take her down to the park every day soshe can do her own thing,” says Jane.
Jane says it’s nice to see the community thriving with other residents and their dogs too.
“Quite often, I’ll look onto the park and notice about 30 people playing with their dogs. You can tell they’rehaving a good time just being outside.”
With nine hectares of parklands at Discovery Point, Jane, Roger and their dog like to make the most of the surrounding walkways up the Cooks River.
There are a limited number of apartments remaining for sale at Discovery Point.
In Marq, the two remaining three-bedroom apartments offer views over expansive parklands.
They are priced at $1,135,000 and $1,150,000.
In Icon, the final residential building planned for Discovery Point, there are only three remaining three- bedroom apartments available, which boast park and Cooks River views and are priced between $1,210,000 and $1,335,000.
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Pet friendly developments triggers dogs at Discovery Point

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Landlord insurance will go up after the Andrews' Government pet policy for tenants is introduced in Victoria next year.
Canstar says most exisiting landlord insurances don't include covering damage from pets.
"Landlords should check with their insurer to see if they’re covered, before allowing pets at their property," one industry adviser recently stressed.
“Before allowing pets at your property, it’s a good idea to establish a pet agreement between you and your tenant,” they said.
“You should also outline the consequences if a tenant fails to meet their obligations.”
It is recommended property managers closely monitor whether animals are present at the property by conducting regular property inspections.
Landlord insurance is an absolute must for property investors, providing financial security against damage, rent defaults or theft.
"Landlords need to be wary of getting a cheap landlord insurance policy with lots of exclusions," Canstar noted. 
The Canstar tables below show the median rental income, average insurance costs, and percentage of rental income across capital cities in Australia. The costs are based on a landlord insurance policy with $300,000 of building insurance cover (for houses) and $25,000 of contents insurance (for both houses and units). 
<table class="table table-responsive table-hover"><tbody>
<tr>
<th width="153">Location</th>
<th width="153">Median Annual Rental Income</th>
<th width="153">Average Annual Insurance Premium</th>
<th width="153">Percentage of Income spent on Insurance</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="153">Sydney</td>
<td width="153">$27,560
 
($530/week)
</td>
<td width="153">$1,160.53</td>
<td width="153">4.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="153">Melbourne</td>
<td width="153">$20,800
 
($400/week)
</td>
<td width="153">$928.07</td>
<td width="153">4.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="153">Brisbane</td>
<td width="153">$20,800
 
($400/week)
</td>
<td width="153">$1,112.37</td>
<td width="153">5.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="153">Adelaide</td>
<td width="153">$18,460
 
($355/week)
</td>
<td width="153">$891.82</td>
<td width="153">4.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="153">Perth</td>
<td width="153">$20,280
 
($390/week)
</td>
<td width="153">$939.41</td>
<td width="153">4.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="153">Hobart</td>
<td width="153">$18,200
 
($350/week)
</td>
<td width="153">$836.91</td>
<td width="153">4.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4" width="612">
Source: Average premiums from CANSTAR – Landlord Insurance star ratings report.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 In Sydney insurance costs 4.3% of rental income.
The price of insurance in Melbourne equates to 4.2% of income.
Hobart is the cheapest place for insuring an investment property, for houses (above) and apartments (below).
<table class="table table-responsive table-hover"><tbody>
<tr>
<th>Location</th>
<th>Median Annual Rental Income</th>
<th>Average Annual Insurance Premium</th>
<th>Percentage of Income spent on Insurance</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sydney</td>
<td>$27,300
 
($525/week)
</td>
<td>$419.25</td>
<td>1.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Melbourne</td>
<td>$19,760
 
($380/week)
</td>
<td>$335.49</td>
<td>1.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brisbane</td>
<td>$19,760
 
($380/week)
</td>
<td>$396.99</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adelaide</td>
<td>$14,820
 
($285/week)
</td>
<td>$316.61</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Perth</td>
<td>$17,420
 
($335/week)
</td>
<td>$347.55</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hobart</td>
<td>$14,820
 
($285/week)
</td>
<td>$307.57</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="4">
Source: Average premiums from CANSTAR – Landlord Insurance star ratings report.
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
The NSW Left faction of the Labor Opposition has also been considering a policy that would stop all landlords in the state from banning pets from their properties.
A proposed policy doing the rounds within the Labor Left seeks to propose an amendment to the ALP’s policy platform that “disallows ‘no pets’ clauses”, the Daily Telegraph reported earlier this year.
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Victorian government pet policy for tenants will trigger higher landlord insurance

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A proposal allowing bodies corporate to ban pets in group-title properties has met with criticism from various stakeholders of the Gold Coast property market, who say it could wipe off 20 per cent of the value of an apartment.
A recommendation to the Queensland government in the 2017 Government Property Law Review calls for giving bodies corporate or a building’s original owner the power to issue a bylaw banning pets, reported the Gold Coast Bulletin. 
If passed, the radical changes to strata laws would put the power back in the hands of bodies corporate and building developers.
However, industry professionals have slammed the move. 
The Queensland Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management said blanket pet bans are “unreasonable”.
Ace Body Corporate Management state manager Georgia Cook, who lives at Mermaid Beach, told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the overwhelming sentiment coming from the properties under her management is that pets are a “must have” living option and blanket bans would work against that.
“Bodies corporate need to start making decisions that act to permit family style living, and for many that involves pet-friendly bylaws,” she said.
Cook said there is a link between allowing pets in buildings and above average apartment values.
“Some industry experts have estimated that a crackdown on pets in apartment buildings could cost owners 20 per cent of the value of their properties.”
Pet-friendly apartment buildings also tend to produce longer leases, higher rents, smaller vacancy rates and more loyal tenants, she added.
Apartment developer Andrews Projects director Danny Andrews said developers who impose a pet ban shoot themselves in the foot.
“You are excluding a part of the market,” he said.
Andrews has a pet-friendly policy with all its buildings.
He suggested pets can be managed in apartment buildings by limiting their size and creating pet-free zones.
Developer Barry Morris, who has two buildings under construction in Broadbeach and Burleigh Heads, said banning pets was a “ridiculous” idea. He allows pets up to 15 kg in his buildings.
Those wanting to make submissions have until May 5 at QUTreviewBCCM@justice.qld.gov.au.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Pet ban idea could hit apartment values, say Gold Coast developers

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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/69410/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">
GUEST OBSERVER
As the weather heats up, Australian households won’t just be cranking up the air conditioning for themselves. Some households will be turning it on for their dogs or cats. 
Our research on energy demand and household cooling highlights a recent trend towards air-conditioning rooms or homes for pets. As well as cooling homes occupied by both humans and their furry friends, air conditioners may be left on when dogs or cats are home alone. 
Some pet owners also leave doors and windows open for their dogs and cats to move between indoor and outdoor areas. This means that air conditioners have to work harder and use more energy to maintain indoor temperatures.
Our research is consistent with an emerging international trend towards the “humanisation of pets”, which is contributing to energy use in households. 
A 2013 study released by E.ON UK (a UK power company) on “hot-dogs and thermo-cats” found that more than half (52%) of UK pet owners turn up the heating for their pets when they go out. Some UK households also leave radios or televisions on for pets so that they don’t get lonely when their owners leave the home.
In other areas of everyday life, cats and dogs now play iPad games, eat specialised diets, have heated mats or air-conditioned kennels, and have their own fashion accessories and electronic toys.
The energy impacts of home cooling
On average across Australia, heating and cooling make up 40 percent of our energy use in households, not including hot water. 
Most Australians who live in southern states use cooling in their homes sporadically, turning it on during hot summer afternoons and evenings when they get home from work or other activities. The rapid growth in residential air conditioning for this purpose has been one of the main contributors to Australia’s peak electricity demand, which has increased energy bills.
Trends in pet cooling could change the energy demand for cooling in homes. Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with 63% of households keeping an animal as a pet. 
According to a 2013 report by the Animal Health Alliance, there are 4.2 million pet dogs and 3.3 million pet cats in Australia. Of these, 76% of dogs and 92% of cats are kept exclusively or partly indoors. 
Providing air conditioning for pets during the day when people aren’t at home would raise residential energy demand. It could also extend and possibly increase electricity peaks if more areas of the property (such as kennels or garages) are being cooled for a longer time.
What makes pets hot?
Although cats and dogs differ in their physiology, in general older, sick or overweight pets may be less resilient to the heat. Some breeds may also be more vulnerable than others. 
For example, short-snout dog breeds (Bulldogs, Pekes and Pugs) are more likely to suffer from heatstroke. This also applies to short-faced cats like Persians or exotics. 
Many things can exacerbate heat stress for pets. For example, people living in apartments may find it more difficult to provide cool outdoor spaces for dogs, or to engage in “waterplay”, as recommended by Pets Australia.
How to keep pets cool
Advice on how to keep pets cool varies and is different for cats and dogs. Pets Australia recommends providing cool spaces such as shade, cold tiles or digging holes in the soil. Other examples include giving dogs cool treats like frozen meat, providing lots of water for hydration and stopping exercise. 
Some websites recommend keeping pets inside on hot days, preferably with an air conditioner or fan turned on. Other sites recommend cooling mats or vests such as gel pads, which can be refrigerated or frozen prior to use. 
Murdoch University provides advice on how to recognise heatstroke warning signs, and what to do if you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke. The growing market for pet cameras is one way to keep an eye on pets while owners are out of the house. 
What needs to be done?
As climate change continues to increase the severity and duration of heat waves, the incidence of heatstroke in pets is likely to increase too. This applies especially to those living in energy-inefficient housing or with access to poor-quality outdoor environments. 
There is a clear need to seriously consider pet cooling in the design of energy-efficient housing and in energy policy that targets households.
It may also be timely to reconsider pet types and breeds appropriate for the Australian climate. Siberian huskies, for example, prefer cooler climates and may be more likely to suffer from heatstroke than breeds with smooth or short coats.
More research is also needed to understand how Australian households are changing the ways they keep their pets cool, and what can be done to reduce heat stress in pets without increasing energy demand or electricity peaks in homes.
In the meantime there is a range of advice on how to keep pets cool. Many creative solutions are available that don’t require leaving the air conditioner running.
Yolande Strengers is senior research fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yolande-strengers-15350" target="_blank">here</a>.
Cecily Maller is vice chancellor's senior research fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cecily-maller-15732" target="_blank">here</a>. Larissa Nicholls is research fellow, RMIT University, and can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/larissa-nicholls-109087" target="_blank">here</a>.
All are authors for The Conversation.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Hot dogs and cool cats: keeping pets cool without blowing your energy bill

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Workspaces of the future must be designed to be better than any alternative, according to Tim Lovitt, Associate Director of Digital Intelligence, PwC Australia.
He recently suggested said the firm could take up co-working space in future in the new building at Barangaroo. 
“PwC has been experimenting for over a year with co-working space," he said.
"We have diverse partnerships, including Facebook and LinkedIn, tailored to solving specific problems for individual projects.
"This is our focus, and we will build our workspace around that.”
Lovitt said workspaces of the future must be designed to be better than any alternative. 
“Workspaces of the future will need to be incredible spaces that people wish to work in, that are better than the alternatives – such as our lounge rooms or the local coffee shop,” concluded Mr Lovitt. 
He made the comments at Knight Frank Australia's Global Cities: The 2017 Report launch which investigated the future of real estate in the world’s leading cities. 
According to Knight Frank’s Head of Research and Consulting, Australia Matt Whitby, disruption is set to equal demand in the real estate sector. 
“Yes, jobs are being lost across sectors globally due to automation and technology, but humans are getting more interesting careers doing what humans do best – problem solving. This will be similar for property professionals, who need to embrace changes in the sector and the economy and become more advisory – offering greater intelligence and idea generation to clients," he said.
“New jobs being created are offering a flow-on effect into other sectors, including property. For example, the Fintech sector, including cashless payments and other financial technology, has created a complete new industry. This is prompting new demand in other sectors, including real estate. Newly-created, high-value jobs in programming or app design are creating demand for expensive, trendy offices.”
Whitby agreed co-working will be one of the biggest growth sectors in the global city office markets, with Sydney and Melbourne leading the way here in Australia. 
“It will not just be start up, incubator, or collaborative businesses. Demand for co-working space will expand to the large, corporate occupiers who require growth or project space on an as-needed basis.”
Whitby said WeWork is the obvious example as in Sydney, WeWork has gone from zero space six months ago and will occupy 22,000 square metres of space by next year.”
In October WeWork Martin Place opened in the heart of Sydney’s central business district surrounded by Australia's financial institutions in an historic Sydney building, the Moneybox Building.
Designed by WeWork, along with local external consultant TomMarkHenry, the design takes cues from the building’s banking history as the hot desks on the main floor were inspired by the old bank teller desks that can still be seen in the lobby. Murals and paintings from local artists Tristan Kerr and Dina Broadhurst adorn the inside of the building.
Last month WeWork, the space, community and services provider based in New York, opened its second Sydney location, at 100 Harris Street, Pyrmont (above). 
WeWork currently has around 70,000 members, located in 100+ physical locations in 30+ cities and 12 countries around the world.
WeWork Pyrmont is located in a former 100 year old woolstore and presents a unique opportunity for one of WeWork's spaces.
The issue of pets in the office was addressed by Savills International.
"Popularity for bringing <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/blog/article/147357/australia-articles/pets-in-the-office--is-it-just-a-fad-or-a-does-it-deliver-real-benefit-.aspx" target="_blank">pets to the workplace</a> seems to be increasing around the world," it noted.
"In the United States, a 2015 Society for Human Resource Management survey found that 8 percent of American workplaces allowed employees to bring pets to work (up from 5 percent in 2013).
"Within Australia, the uptake for large corporations has not been very high, although the types of companies that have embraced this new fur-friendly culture tend to be creative or industries such as fashion, tech, IT, media and start-ups," the Savills report noted. 
It noted the location of the workplace can also greatly affect the likelihood of the company to include pets in the office.
"We are seeing companies on the city fringe and suburban locations more open to the idea of pets in the office, as there is plenty of space in the surrounding areas for the animals to have a break outside of the office."
Savills wondered did the trend deliver real benefit to your company, or is it just a distraction? 
What are the benefits?
For the employees: Employees who bring their pets to the office often have less stress and a healthier work-life balance
For the workplace: It can be a great improvement to the workplace culture - pets are a great conversation starter and can help strengthen working relationships
For the business: Having pets in the office can encourage employees to stay longer hours and businesses have shown a lower rate of employee absenteeism. Plus, pets in the office can be a drawcard for attracting new employees
For the animals: The animals get benefits too, including being out and about (instead of cooped up at home) and socialising with new people 
Things to consider
When considering drawbacks to having animals in the workplace, the number one concern is usually allergies. Depending on the type of allergy, one way to lessen the trigger of an allergy is to ensure the pets are clean &amp; groomed. Alternatively, employees should set up pet-free zones, or keep their pet close to their own workstations
It’s also important to select the right types of pets to bring into the office – overly animated or energetic animals can serve as a distraction in the workplace  
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Perhaps not pets in the office, but workspaces need to outdo the local coffee shop

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Some 54 percent of pet owners polled for a recent survey considered landlords and property managers should be compelled to allow tenants with pets.
The PETstock Pet Parent Survey interviewed more than 905 pet owners from around Australia and found more than half of all pet owners believe laws must be changed to force landlords to allow pets in rental properties, with most saying it took a long time to find somewhere they could live with their animals.
PETstock chief executive of cer Shane Young said only 1.5 percent strongly disagreed with the need to change the law.
“In Victoria, there are no laws that directly cover pets in tenancies or residencies, but landlords often include a clause in the lease banning them,” he said.
"However this may soon change with the Victorian Government currently reviewing tenancy laws, including the law around pets. Any change to the law in Victoria may set a precedent for other states to follow.
"For many people, pets were part of the family and it was heartbreaking to have to give them up if they couldn’t find suitable rental accommodation.
“Given that an incredible 83 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they treated their pets as their children, these figures are not surprising.
“When they are looking for a place to live it can be really hard for pet parents to  find a place where the owners will allow them to keep their pet.”
"The Pet Parent Survey found that 70 percent of owners took a lot of time and effort to  find pet-friendly rental accommodation. Of those who were renting homes with their pets, 84 percent said the landlord allowed it, while 4 percent said their landlord didn’t know. Just over 10 per cent said the landlord wouldn’t usually allow pets but had made an exception in this case."
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