Animal welfare advocates gathered in sacrament recently to push for legislation to limit landlords' ability to ban pets or charge monthly “pet rent.” Although the measure was weakened in the midst of intense lobbying, could mark a major victory for California pets and the housing security of their parents. It should serve as a model for legislation across the country.
Americans find themselves in the middle of a affordable housing crisis That has magnified the burden on animal shelters across the country. Many shelters reported record numbers of people surrendering their pets due to housing pressures last year, an increase of 50% to 300% starting in 2022. This was compounded by a decline in adoptions, which are also affected by the housing shortage. Higher refuge intake means euthanasia Rates are also increasing in some communities, making pet-friendly housing literally saving lives.
My colleagues and I at Michelson found animals have been closely monitoring the relationship between housing availability and animal shelter populations for years. We collaborate with Human Animal Bond Research Institute study the topic, which led to a report on the subject and our Housing initiative that includes pets.
We found a substantial disconnect between what is typically called “pet-friendly” and the real needs of pet owners. For starters, there is no set standard for allowing pets, an ambiguous term that is often accompanied by restrictive fine print. While 76% of the owners and property managers we surveyed considered themselves pet-friendly, only 8% had no restrictions on the number of pets and characteristics such as breed and size.
With the housing crisis showing no signs of abating, we need pet-friendly housing that truly meets the needs of pet owners. Pet-friendly homes are better not only for residents and their animals, but for businesses as well.
The demand for homes that include pets is high, but there is a lack of supply. While 66% of American households have at least one pet, we found that 72% of renters said it is difficult to find pet-friendly housing and 59% said it is too expensive.
This is a priority for pet owners. Although 21% of the renters we surveyed were willing to make compromises on their housing budget, only 9% were willing to make compromises when it came to allowing pets. Our research further suggests that animal-friendly housing is the future: Millennials and Generation Z are more likely to rent and own pets.
We found that including pets also has clear benefits for rental housing operators: 83% said vacancies that included pets were filled faster and residents of those units stayed on average 21% longer. Owners who ignore this segment of their potential markets are harming their businesses and communities.
When pets are not allowed, we found that 11% of renters will risk keeping them against the rules. Others will request accommodations for support animals even if they have not been diagnosed with an emotional or mental disability. Managing and investigating such requests requires valuable time and energy from owners and their employees.
It is a widespread myth that pets in rental units are a major burden. The truth is that less than 10% of pets cause damage, and when damage does occur, the average cost of repairs is $210, much less than the average security deposit.
In fact, pets are an asset to properties, and not just financially. They have been shown improve physical and mental health of their owners. Particularly within rental communities, residents reported that their pets brought them closer to their neighbors. AND surveys show that residents who feel connected to their community are more likely to renew their leases.
Pets also make communities safer. Research has indicated that neighborhoods with high concentrations of dogs and high levels of trust between residents experienced less crime.
Not surprisingly, California lawmakers aren't the only ones considering pet-inclusive policies. Legislation in Congress would ban breed restrictions in public housing, which residents often face even though federally funded housing must be pet-friendly. AND Colorado Last year he signed into law a measure that limits deposits and rent on pets and prohibits insurance companies from penalizing owners based on the breed of the pet.
Owners who see these changes on the horizon and the business opportunities they present can take some simple steps toward pet inclusion:
- Consider eliminating unnecessary pet deposits and fees.
- Focus on each dog's behavior rather than size or breed.
- Work with an insurance company that does not have pet-related restrictions.
- Require proof of rental insurance, which may cover pet-related claims.
- Provide pet amenities, such as exercise and rest areas, along with waste stations, that show tenants that their pets are welcome.
Most people who have pets consider them part of their family. Pet-friendly housing ensures that families stay together and have safe places to live.
Brett Yates is the executive director of the Michelson Found Animals Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles.
