The ability of people in Massachusetts to cover the costs of pet care and related expenses has been drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the pandemic has exacerbated affordable housing shortages that already existed for renters across the country, low-income households in particular have often had to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, medicine and other necessities—including pet-related expenses. Read more about our efforts to help.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)’s latest statistics, 49 percent of Massachusetts households keep pets. Thousands of pets may still become homeless, along with their families. Meanwhile only 9% of rental housing across the country allowed companion animals without any significant limitations on size or type. Most tenants (82%) with animals reported having trouble finding a rental unit that would accept their pets.
One of the most frequently cited reason for relinquishment of animals to a shelter is a housing, moving, or a landlord issue. When families are separated, both humans and pets experience detrimental effects on their physical and emotional well being.
Landlords can minimize such risk by removing barriers such as breed and size restrictions in the case of renters with pets and by reducing fees in order to give renters with pets more opportunities to find safe housing. Now, more than ever, renters would benefit from increased support and fewer limitations. Help keep families with pets together during the COVID-19 pandemic by restricting pet-based evictions and prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating based on dog breed (S. 885/S. 1437; Senator Gobi and Rep. D. Rogers).
What you can do:
