The bond between humans and their pets is ancient and deep-rooted, providing companionship, emotional support, and even health benefits. As our society progresses, so does the conversation around animal companionship, including in the context of housing. Rather than thinking of pet ownership as a privilege, shouldn't the ability to have a pet be a fundamental part of life, like having a child or a place to call home? There are lots of opinions and an increasing amount of legislation surrounding the question of pets and who can have them. This blog post explores some of the thoughts and sentiments we often hear relative to pets and housing.

Thoughts around common misconceptions:

"No one should have a large dog in a small apartment." 

• Temperament and Energy Levels: Many large dog breeds have calm temperaments and lower energy levels, making them well-suited for apartment living. We know that some Greyhounds and Great Danes out there are true couch potatoes!
• Exercise and Mental Stimulation: Regardless of size, all dogs need regular exercise and mental stimulation. With daily walks, playtime, and interactive toys, large dogs can be content and healthy in smaller living spaces.
• Training and Adaptability: Large dogs can adapt to smaller living environments. With positive-reinforcement training and routines, they learn to navigate and feel comfortable in the space available. No-fear training resources are available for free online and on social media platforms.

"If you can't afford to feed or get vet care for your pet, you shouldn't have one."

• Systemic Inequality: Systemic issues like discrimination, poverty wages, lack of affordable housing, and limited access to essential resources like veterinary care can create situations where keeping a pet becomes unmanageable. Economic hardship often forces people to make heartbreaking choices, including surrendering or rehoming beloved pets.
• Community and Social Support: Some communities offer resources for pet owners facing financial difficulties, such as pet food banks, low-cost or free veterinary care, and nonprofit programs dedicated to helping people and pets. These resources can help ensure pets receive necessary care even if their owners face financial challenges.
• Flexible Care Solutions: In communities with access to veterinary care, pet owners may explore flexible care solutions, such as payment plans offered by veterinary clinics or nonprofit organizations. There are veterinarians willing to work with pet owners to ensure their pets receive essential care without immediate full payment.
• Volunteering and Community Involvement: Some animal shelters and rescues provide free pet-related services to their volunteers. This mutually beneficial arrangement helps pets receive necessary care while owners contribute positively to their community.

"People dump their pets at shelters and rescues because of their lack of planning."

• Housing Issues: There are many housing-related factors that may impact a pet owner's heartbreaking decision to surrender a pet, from rising rent and pet fees to housing that does not allow or heavily restricts pets. In most circumstances, it is unfair to characterize this as a lack of planning.
• Life Changes: Job loss, new work schedules, or relocation for work can impact an owner's ability to care for their pet. Events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child can change the dynamics of a household and impact animal companionship.
• Health Issues: Serious illness or injury can impair an owner's ability to care for their pet.
• Unforeseen Circumstances: Events such as floods, hurricanes, or fires can displace families and make pet care untenable. Sudden emergencies, such as family crises or accidents, can force owners to have to make quick decisions about pet care.

Pets as an integral part of life

There is no denying that pets bring us joy and contribute to our overall well-being. Following are some things to know when considering pet policies and attitudes toward animal companionship.

1.  Emotional and Psychological Benefits

• Pets provide companionship, reduce stress, and can improve overall health. For many people, especially those living alone, pets are essential for emotional well-being.
• Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) are legally recognized for their role in assisting people with disabilities, highlighting the importance of pets beyond mere companionship.

2.  Equal Access and Inclusivity

• Denying animal companionship based on financial status, housing conditions, or other personal factors can be discriminatory. Access to the benefits of animal companionship should be considered fundamental to the human experience, similar to access to healthcare and education.
• Policies that allow for animal companionship in rental properties can promote inclusivity and support diverse living environments.

3. Regulatory and Ethical Considerations

• Many regions have laws that protect residents' rights to own pets, and in cases involving service animals or ESAs, these protections are federal. These laws underscore the importance of recognizing pets as more than just property.
• Ethically, denying someone the companionship of a pet based on economic status or living conditions can be unjust, especially considering the profound impact pets have on human lives.

Finding a balance

By challenging stereotypes and expanding access, more people can experience the benefits of animal companionship and fewer pets will spend their lives in shelters and rescues. Here's a recap of some potential solutions:

1. Pet Inclusive Policies

Collaborating on transparent guidelines and pet agreements can help ensure that animal companionship is manageable for all parties involved. These can include reasonable pet fees and clear expectations for people and pets.

2.  Support for Low-Income Pet Owners

• Supporting change to eliminate systemic inequality is key to sustained human and animal well-being.
• Providing resources and support for low-income pet owners, such as affordable and free veterinary care, pet food banks, and subsidized pet fees, can help make animal companionship more accessible.
• Many communities have programs to assist pet owners; rental housing and animal well-being providers can help by communicating and working together.

3. Information and Awareness

• Promoting loving animal companionship through community-shared information can reduce challenges associated with pets in rental properties. This can include training for both pets and owners to ensure harmonious living conditions.

Conclusion

Animal companionship intersects with issues of systemic inequality, financial capability, housing market dynamics, shelter/rescue capacity, and individual well-being. Better understanding these dynamics can help to dispel the misconceptions around animal companionship and create more opportunities for people and pets to be together.

Here at the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of animal companionship. Allowing misconceptions about animal companionship to continue only reinforces the inequalities that exist in our society. Animal companionship is a social justice issue, deserving of thoughtful solutions that are both inclusive and reasonable.

By fostering understanding and cooperation, we can create pet-inclusive communities where the joys of animal companionship are accessible to all. For information and resources on how to create more pet-inclusive communities, please visit the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative website.