South Australian renters will have the right to pet ownership under reforms proposed by the state government.
Pet owner Catherine Mayer said having three cats had made it "really, really difficult" to find a new rental property.
"I've been searching for over six months to try and find a home that will accept me and my three boys, which are my complete family," she said.
"It has been stressful and depressing and I could not imagine trying to give one of them up."
Fellow renter Lizzy Wilkins said she had to make the "hard decision" to give up her dog to the RSPCA shelter at Lonsdale because she was unable to find a rental that would allow her to have her numerous pets.
"She was thankfully homed with a new family ... [but] a piece of our family is now missing," she said.
RSPCA SA chief executive Marcus Gehrig said such stories were "pretty common".
He said the number of pets being surrendered to the RSPCA because of rental issues had tripled in the past three years.
"We are seeing more and more people turn up with an animal, distraught, because they've had to give up their animal because of a rental situation, a change of circumstances," he said.
"And it truly is traumatic for them, but also for staff here."
The state government hopes to change the Residential Tenancies Act to remove a blanket ban on pets in rentals would stop situations like that from occurring.
The proposed changes would require property owners to negotiate with tenants depending on their individual circumstances.
Under the proposed changes, tenants must agree to comply with reasonable conditions imposed by the landlord, such as requiring carpets to be professionally cleaned at the end of the tenancy, or keeping the pet outside where appropriate.
Tenants would also be able to apply to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) if they were not satisfied that the conditions imposed were reasonable, or if they believe their request for pet ownership was unreasonably refused.
Landlords could still refuse to allow a pet if they have a "justifiable reason", such as unsuitable space or fencing.
The state government said the changes will bring South Australia in line with similar rules in Queensland.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said the state has lagged behind other states when it comes to rental reform on pet ownership.
"We know that the situation at the moment to find a rental property in the state [has] never been harder, but that is extra true when it comes to pet ownership," he said.
Mr Malinauskas responsible pet owners were put at an "unfair disadvantage" due to the tight rental market.
"For a lot of people, a pet is their best friend, a pet is a member of their family, and that shouldn't mean they be unfairly treated," he said.
"That shouldn't mean they are discriminated against on something as essential as putting a roof over your head."
Mr Malinauskas said the government hoped to introduce the reforms to parliament with the changes within the next 12 months..
Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Andrea Michaels, said the proposed changes came as a result of "pretty extensive consultation" following survey responses from about 5,500 people on broad rental reform.
"This idea that no pets allowed will be on advertisements ... will be gone," she said.
The government will also seek to increase the minimum notice to end a tenancy from 28 to 60 days to allow tenants to have more time to find a new property, and landlords would need to give a "prescribed reason" to end a tenancy.
"We've got rental vacancies of less than 1 per cent at the moment, so we're making sure people have a reasonable time to apply for new properties," Ms Michaels said.
Greens MLC Robert Simms said Labor "blocked moves" by his party last week to legislate in favour of renting with pets.
"We welcome that back down, but ultimately now is not the time for consultation, now is the time for action," he said.
Mr Simms said broader rental reforms were being "kicked down the road" by the government, and people were "tired of the delays" and "excessive consultation and endless reviews".
"What they want is action, action on the rental crisis," he said.