Seattle, Speak Up for Pet-Friendly Housing

a yellow lab mix laying on the floor next to a couch with a person sitting on it

Proposed Ordinance to Remove Barriers to Pets in Housing

ASPCA Position: Support

Update — August 12, 2026: It's time to celebrate! The Seattle City Council passed this ordinance to help families find and keep homes that welcome their beloved pets.

This ordinance will increase housing stability for renters by capping excessive fees, including unfair pet-related rent and fees. Thank you for speaking up!

Why Pet-Friendly Housing Is Important

Pet owners across Seattle 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 Seattle’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.

Thank Your City Council

To celebrate this victory, please complete the short form below to send a message thanking the Seattle City Council for passing this ordinance to remove barriers to pets in housing.

Advocacy Alert

Your Message

Subject Thank You for Prohibiting Unfair or Excessive Rental Fees

Dear Councilmember,

Message

As a Seattle resident, I want to thank you for your leadership in passing the ordinance to prohibit unfair or excessive rental fees.

For too many families, high pet-related rental charges can make it difficult to keep a beloved pet while maintaining stable housing. By helping reduce these barriers, this ordinance is an important step toward making Seattle a more affordable, equitable and pet-friendly city.

Thank you for standing up for renters, pets and the families who depend on them. I truly appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

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

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