Pets aren't just our cherished companions; they're often lifelines who boost our mood and bring joy into our lives. In this blog, we dive into how pets can make our minds and hearts healthier, with compelling stats to back it up. But there's a catch—many pet owners face frustrating hurdles with rental housing's breed and weight restrictions, as well as climbing fees. Let's explore the uplifting benefits of pets and tackle the challenges – and viable solutions – to this dynamic.

The Benefits of Pets

Pets act as natural stress relievers and emotional supporters, it's simply in their makeup. As Dr. Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland says, "Dogs are very present. If someone is struggling with something, they know how to sit there and be loving. Their attention is focused on the person all the time."

Some of the specific health benefits of pets include:

• Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Pets have been shown to lower stress levels. Interacting with pets can reduce cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and lower blood pressure. The companionship of pets also helps ease anxiety, providing a sense of security and comfort.

• Combating Loneliness and Depression: Pets offer unconditional love and companionship, which can be particularly beneficial for those feeling isolated or lonely. According to a survey by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements due to pet ownership, and 75% noted improvements in friends or family members.

• Encouraging Physical Activity: Pets, especially dogs, encourage physical activity, which is linked to better mental health. Dog owners, for instance, tend to walk more, which can improve mood and reduce stress.

• Providing a Sense of Purpose: Caring for a pet adds structure to daily life, offering a sense of purpose and routine that can be grounding and beneficial for mental health, even improving self-esteem. This is especially true for older people who may see their social world shrinking or have exited the workforce.

• Reducing Stress in the Workplace: Two out of three employees say work stresses them out, and 40% say their job gets in the way of their health. For those fortunate enough to bring pets to the workplace, studies show that their presence reduces stress and improves employee satisfaction and productivity.

Challenges in Rental Housing

Despite the many benefits our pets give us in addition to companionship, families that include pets often face challenges – particularly in rental housing – due to common breed and weight restrictions as well as multiple pet fees. These policies can create significant obstacles to keeping families together:

• Emotional Stress: The fear of not being able to find suitable housing can cause anxiety for pet owners. This stress can undermine the life-enhancing benefits that pets provide.

• Limited Housing Options: Restrictions on pet breeds and sizes, as well as fees, can severely limit housing options. Currently, data show that only about 8% of rental units in the U.S. are free from restrictions.

• Displacement and Separation: In extreme cases, these restrictions may lead to the heartbreaking decision to surrender or rehome a pet, which can have detrimental effects on well-being.

Common Sense Practices to Keep Families Together

Understanding the profound positive impact pets have on our quality of life should create better understanding and a more compassionate approach to rental housing policies. Even more so when you consider that 97% of U.S. pet owners say that pets are part of the family, and half of these owners say their pet is as much a part of the family as a human member (Pew Research Center). Here are some considerations:

• Tackling Misconceptions: Rental housing providers should consider the benefits of pets as a sound reason to better understand some of the obstacles and common misconceptions that exist regarding pets in rental housing.

• Implementing a Pet Personality Profile: Policies could be adjusted to focus on individual pet behavior rather than arbitrary restrictions not supported by science and data.

• Creating Pet-Inclusive Communities: By fostering environments free from size and breed restrictions, communities can enhance the well-being of residents, promoting a healthier and more inclusive living space.

In conclusion, our pets play a vital role in enhancing our quality of life and wellbeing. While challenges exist, particularly in rental housing, addressing these issues with empathy and common sense approach can lead to more harmonious living arrangements for both residents and their non-human family members.

For more resources on how you can move your property toward a more pet-inclusive environment, please visit the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative; and be sure to assess your property's Pet-Inclusive Score to understand where you may have room for growth.