San Diego, Stand Up for Pet-Friendly Housing

Proposed Ordinance to Remove Barriers to Pets in Housing

ASPCA Position: Support

The San Diego City Council will meet on Tuesday, May 19, to consider an ordinance that would help families find and keep homes that welcome their beloved pets. This proposal aims to increase housing stability for renters by capping excessive fees, including unfair pet-related rent and fees.

Your City Council needs to hear from you today. Please urge them to support and pass this ordinance.

Why Pet-Friendly Housing Is Important

Pet owners across San Diego face significant barriers when searching for housing. For many renters — especially those with lower incomes — housing restrictions are the leading reason they’re forced to give up their pets.

Even when renters find housing that allows pets, it often comes with high upfront deposits and ongoing monthly pet fees. These added expenses, on top of San Diego’s high housing costs, can make stable housing unattainable.

Pets are family, yet restrictive and costly housing policies are forcing more families to make the heartbreaking decision to surrender their animals. This severs important human-animal bonds and strains local animal shelters and rescues.

This ordinance will help prevent heartbreak and keep animals with the families who love them.

What You Can Do

Please contact your city councilmembers before May 19! Use the form below to send a message urging them to support and pass this important ordinance.

Advocacy Alert

Your Message

Subject Vote YES: Ordinance to Prohibit Unfair or Excessive Rental Fees

Dear Councilmember,

Message

As a San Diego resident, I am writing to urge you to support the proposed ordinance to prohibit unfair or excessive rental fees and improve housing stability for renters with pets.

San Diego’s high cost of housing is already placing immense pressure on families. For many renters, the added burden of pet deposits and monthly pet fees creates an impossible situation, forcing them to choose between keeping their pet or keeping their home. Housing-related challenges are one of the leading reasons pets are surrendered to animal shelters.

Pet-friendly housing is essential to keeping families together. Excessive pet-related costs are making it increasingly difficult for responsible pet owners to secure and maintain stable housing. This ordinance would help remove one of the most significant barriers facing renters with pets and support stronger, more stable communities.

No one who is willing and able to care for their pet should be forced to give them up because of unfair housing restrictions or costs.

I respectfully urge you to support this ordinance and take an important step toward making San Diego a more equitable and pet-friendly city.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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