Thank you for engaging with our Keeping Pets and People Together in Rental Housing presentation! We had some incredible questions and comments posed in the chat during the live call that we weren't able to answer in real time, but would love to recognize and answer here.
Do you have any data / feedback from rental property owners on why they are not pet-friendly/ pet inclusive?
When we talk with rental housing operators about opening up to more pets, they often cite concerns about insurance and liability issues, pet damage to rental units, risk of large animals and certain breeds, and responsibility to sustain the health and safety of the community as concerns. While we understand that these are real concerns, we also think there are ways to get beyond these barriers, many of which have been in place for a long time and are not often reconsidered:
- When it comes to the insurance and liability issue, the truth is that pet-inclusivity is a minor factor on rental property insurance pricing; more than two-thirds of owner/operators are aware of non-restrictive insurance products that are available on the market; and pet-owning residents bear primary responsibility for damage or injury caused by pets, which can be solidified through renter's insurance.
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Regarding pet damage to rental units, our research indicates that only 9% of pets are reported to cause any damage whatsoever, and the average damages are only $210. Furthermore, only 2% of pets caused damage requiring a security deposit deduction, with the majority of residents paying out of pocket to fix any damages.
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When it comes to risk of large animals and certain breeds, not only has dog bite data proven to be unreliable, but there is a growing body of research that points to the inadequacy of breed in predicting behavior.
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We also understand that rental housing operators have a responsibility to sustain the health and safety of the entire community, but they can do so while still being pet-inclusive by adopting clear policies and expectations that can help avoid negative outcomes.
I was under the impression State Farm is the only large renters insurance provider who does not have breed restrictions. Are there others?
Yes! In fact, we have a Renters Insurance Resource with six insurance companies that provide renters insurance with no breed restrictions. Unfortunately, it's harder to get a handle on commercial liability (landlord) insurance, but State Farm does not have breed restrictions there, either. We're working to get a better handle on this part. Please let us know if you become aware of other pet-inclusive insurance providers.
Please address the damage that pets can cause to rental property such as chewed woodwork & carpet by a dog and urine throughout an apartment from a cat. Expenses can be thousands to repair and there is the loss of rent while renovating.
Concerns about pet damage to rental units is valid, but our research indicates that only 9% of pets are reported to cause any damage whatsoever, and the average damages are only $210 well below the average security deposit. Furthermore, only 2% of pets caused damage requiring a security deposit deduction, with the majority of residents paying out of pocket to fix any damages.
Can the graphic with the "pet friendly" vs. pet inclusive data be shared publicly?
Yes! We've linked to the file here for easy reference.
Is there any data on if a shelter pet passed a CGC to allow them into a rental unit?
We don't currently have this data, but it would be a great research question to consider for our PIHI Report 2.0 that will be published later this year!
Last I checked, it was a requirement in some government and city assisted housing that cats be declawed.
While we do not know of every pet policy each rental housing operator has in place, in our experience, we have not encountered a rental housing operator that requires cats to be declawed. Also, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) Development Guide, "HUD's position on cat declawing is that it is not a requirement or condition of pet ownership in public housing and encourages PHAs to refrain from engaging in this practice. HUD follows the ASPCA's guidance on declawing cats."
Unfortunately, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Orders for Active Duty Military will frequently include breed/number restrictions.
We are aware that military housing often has restrictive pet policies, particularly around breed and number of pets allowed, and we believe many of our resources that help traditional rental housing operators open up access to more pets can benefit military housing as well. With our limited resources, we have to put our efforts towards making the biggest impact the fastest which means we are primarily focused on conventional market-rate and affordable rental housing, but we continue to work towards a pet-inclusive world that welcomes renters and their companion animals of all species, breeds, and sizes.
My guess is that damage and uncontrolled/scary dog issues just need support. It would be great if RHO would let people know about community resources for solving problem behaviors. An exuberant, friendly large dog bouncing on the end of a leash can be scary to a small child, elderly person, someone afraid of dogs.
We agree, as concerns about pet behavior are something we often hear from rental housing operators. We encourage rental housing operators to consider each pet as an individual and to replace arbitrary breed and weight restrictions with reasonable community policies and holistic information that can help keep people and pets safe.
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Sara Maria Muriello
Senior Program Manager, Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative
Michelson Found Animals
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2024 11:47 AM
From: Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Subject: Community Conversations - 3/25/24 - Keeping Pets and People Together in Rental Housing
Updated 3/25/24 at 4:06pm: Recording now available to watch on-demand!
We hope to see you on the next Community Conversations call on Monday, 3/25/24 at 11am PT for a presentation on: Keeping Pets and People Together in Rental Housing.
Featuring Michelson Found Animal Foundation, including experts in Pet-Inclusive Housing, this conversation will provide animal well-being organizations with current information and reasoned arguments that help pet owners gain greater access to rental housing. Factors to consider when making decisions regarding pets and how to successfully navigate these challenges include sharing of data to help address the concerns of rental housing operators and introduction of new resources developed by the Michelson team.
Guest Speakers: @Ross Barker, Program Director, Pet-Inclusive Housing, Michelson Found Animals Foundation and Judy Bellack, Industry Principal, Pet-Inclusive Housing
Learn more about the Pet-Inclusive Housing initiative at Michelson Found Animals - https://www.petsandhousing.org/about-pihi/
Register here for our Weekly Community Conversations Call taking place on Monday at 11am PT: maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration.
If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like. After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this March 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-mar24-giveaway.htm
#DataandTechnology
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#PetSupportServices*
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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
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