Anchor has been recognised by the RSPCA for its pet friendly approach to supporting residents.

England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life received the RSPCA’s Platinum PawPrints award for consistently safeguarding animal welfare.

Sarah Jones, Anchor’s chief executive, said: “I’m delighted that Anchor has won a platinum PawPrints award from the RSPCA. This is a great honour and recognises our ongoing commitment and dedication to supporting pet ownership at our locations. Domestic pets can provide fantastic companionship, comfort and love and we pride ourselves on creating homes where people can continue to love living in later life and supporting pet ownership is a big part of that.”

Anchor encourages residents who want a pet or already own pets to bring them to their properties and created their compassionate Pet Policy in partnership with Anchor residents, to ensure their accommodation is suitable and the needs of domestic pets living at Anchor properties are being met.

Animals are a celebrated part of life at Anchor. Over half of Anchor properties have pets living there and the not-for-profit organises many pet-based activities including a yearly Pawsome Pet award to celebrate all creatures great and small living in the group’s properties.

This pet friendly approach is why the RSPCA has consistently awarded Anchor Gold which has led to Platinum status.

Lee Gingell, the RSPCA’s public affairs manager for local government, said: “We’re thrilled to see Anchor pick up the RSPCA’s Housing (Platinum) PawPrints Award. We’ve awarded Platinum level PawPrints awards to organisations that have won Gold level for five or more years consecutively, which again shows Anchor’s unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting animal welfare.”