New federal bills would prohibit breed restrictions in public housing and provide critically needed support for unhoused people with pets to help them find emergency housing with their pets.
Pets belong with their owners, and all responsible owners deserve to keep their four-legged companions, regardless of housing status.
“Pets are vital sources of love and comfort to their owners—especially during stressful times—and neither that bond nor the safety of those animals should ever be threatened by discriminatory breed restrictions in public housing or a lack of pet-friendly homeless shelters. The PUPP Act and Pets Belong with Families Act will ensure no one will have to choose between keeping their pets and securing affordable, stable housing for themselves,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. “The ASPCA is proud to support these critical pieces of legislation that protect the powerful and mutually beneficial connections between people and their beloved pets.”
The Providing for Unhoused People with Pets (PUPP) Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jason Crow(D-Colo.),Brian Fitzpatrick(R-Pa.), Adam Schiff(D-Calif.), and Nancy Mace(R-S.C.),would provide grants to homeless shelters to support residents with pets. This bill would authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secretaries to award one-time grants to emergency shelters to acquire, rehabilitate, re-purpose, retrofit, or construct a property to be used to accommodate unhoused individuals with pets, and to fund pet-related operating costs, including basic veterinary and behavioral services. Co-sheltering programs – a housing approach that keeps people and pets together – are feasible and successful in providing greater options for communities working to end homelessness.
Additionally, U.S. Reps. Adam Schiff(D-Calif.), Brian Fitzpatrick(R-Pa.), and Jason Crow(D-Colo.) have introduced the Pets Belong with Families Act, which would prohibit public housing agencies (PHA) from imposing breed-specific restrictions and discourage those entities from imposing size and weight restrictions as well. This legislation will still allow for PHA discretion with regard to potentially dangerous individual animals, and would not override local jurisdictions or private housing restrictions.
“I’m introducing the Pets Belong with Families Act and the PUPP Act because no one should have to choose between keeping their beloved pet or having a safe place to call home,” said Rep. Adam Schiff. “These bills will ensure people living in affordable housing or experiencing homelessness can keep their pets by removing discriminatory breed restrictions in public housing and providing funding to housing services to accommodate pets.”
“As strong advocates for both our brave veterans and our furry companions, we wholeheartedly support the PUPP Act. This critical legislation removes a significant barrier to emergency housing by recognizing the importance of keeping families and individuals together with their beloved pets,” said Rep. Mace. “By authorizing grants for acquiring, renovating, and constructing pet-friendly housing, we ensure no one is forced to choose between their own well-being and the well-being of their four-legged friends. We can make a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals, providing them with the safety and support they deserve, while keeping their cherished pets by their side.”
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