PETS ARE FAMILY

Problem

For millions, pets are family, not just property.

Yet U.S. law still treats them as expendable, putting families at risk.

The Realities

Housing drives separation

• Roughly 72 percent of renters have pets.

• Only 20 percent of rentals allow pets without restrictions, forcing renters into tough choices.

• High pet deposits, breed bans, and 'pet rent' are driving families to surrender their loved animals.

• As a result, up to 1 million pets are surrendered to shelters each year because current housing barriers leave families with no feasible alternatives.

Shelters are overwhelmed.

• Shelter intake is surging nationwide.

• Return-to-owner rates are falling, especially for:

  • Black and Latino families

  • Low-income households

  • Rural communities

• Shelters operate at or above capacity with little federal support.

Veterinary care is unaffordable.

• Veterinary costs have risen by more than 60 percent over the past decade.

• Only 2 percent of pets are insured.

• Families face tough medical choices under financial pressure.

Disasters separate families

• After disasters, shelters see up to 30 percent more displaced pets.

• Many emergency shelters still refuse animals, forcing families to:

  • Sleep in cars

  • Return to unsafe homes.

  • Abandon pets to survive.

Legal reality

• Pets remain classified as property under U.S. law.

• That means:

  • No federal protections

  • No housing rights

  • No guaranteed emergency support

Our laws protect landlords and corporations more than families and their animals.

Solutions

1. Keep pets with their families

Policy

• Ban blanket breed restrictions in housing.

• Prohibit excessive pet deposits and recurring “pet rent.”

• Require federally funded housing to allow pets.

• Create emergency funds to prevent pet surrender during:

  • Evictions

  • Domestic violence relocation

  • Disaster displacement

Impact: Families can remain intact, as these policies remove the main barriers that drive pet surrenders, helping keep companion animals with their loved ones.

2. Expand affordable veterinary care

Policy

• Create a national Pet Care Fund for:

  • Low-income vet vouchers

  • Spay and neuter services

  • Vaccination clinics

• Incentivize community- and mobile-veterinary clinics, especially in rural areas.

• Expand student loan forgiveness for veterinarians and vet techs serving high-need communities.

Impact: With affordable access to routine care enabled by policy, families no longer delay or forgo treatment, leading to healthier pets and fewer emergencies.

3. Treat disaster response like pets matter

Policy

• Require FEMA-funded emergency shelters to accept pets.

• Create a national system to track displaced animals.

• Equip disaster response teams with:

  • Temporary kenneling

  • Food and supply systems

• Fund evacuation support for families with pets.

Impact: By guaranteeing pet-friendly disaster response, these measures ensure families are not forced to abandon pets for safety, reducing trauma and pet loss during crises.

4. Support animal shelters and rescue networks

Policy

• Federal grants for:

  • Overcrowded public shelters

  • Foster-based rescue systems

  • Tribal and rural animal programs

• Create a national emergency foster registry.

• Partner with schools and correctional programs on animal training and foster initiatives.

Impact: Federal support and new programs ease overcrowding and empower shelters and rescue networks to serve more families and animals in need, improving community stability.

5. Protect survivors of domestic violence

Policy

• Expand the PAWS Act:

  • Require federally funded shelters to accept pets.

  • Fund safe foster networks for survivors fleeing violence.

• Ban abusers from threatening or harming pets in custody disputes.

Impact: These protections let survivors find safety with their pets, preventing further trauma and supporting successful transitions out of abuse.

6. Recognize pets as family in law

Policy

• Reform federal statutes to treat companion animals separately from property.

• Require courts to consider the animal's best interests in separation or custody cases.

• Support states adopting animal custody standards.

Impact: By recognizing pets as family in the law, these changes ensure animal welfare is considered in legal decisions and provide greater security for pets and their families.

Bottom Line

Pets are not property.

They are family — emotionally, socially, and often as life-saving support.

A humane country must:

• Keep families and pets together.

• Ensure veterinary care is affordable for all.

• Prepare for disasters with pet-inclusive strategies.

• Fund and strengthen animal shelters to serve communities.

• Recognize family bonds with pets in legal standards.

When policy respects the reality of people’s lives, it protects:

• Families

• Public health

• Community stability

• Mental health

A country caring for animals also cares for its people.

Policy must reflect that true American families include pets, ensuring no one is left behind.