USA: Help Keep Pets and People Together in Public Housing!

Woman and dog
U.S. H.R. 3989Pets Belong with Families Act
ASPCA Position: Support
Sponsors: Reps. Schiff (D-CA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Crow (D-CO)

Lawmakers have introduced the Pets Belong with Families Act to remove overly broad and unfounded restrictions on pets in public housing. This important bill would ensure that affordable and stable housing is available to eligible families regardless of their pet’s breed or size. The Pets Belong with Families Act would still allow for discretion on potentially dangerous individual animals but would remove housing barriers for thousands of responsible pet owners, keeping companion animals out of overcrowded animal shelters and in their loving homes. 

Why This Bill Is Important

Too often, families experiencing housing insecurity are forced to choose between keeping their beloved pet or their home. These difficult decisions are often caused by unreasonable restrictions on dog breeds—restrictions that fail to make communities safer while penalizing responsible pet owners and their animals.

There is no sound evidence to support breed restrictions and no evidence that breed restrictions make communities safer for people or pets. Dogs should be regarded as individuals rather than by erroneous and harmful stereotypes. 

What You Can Do

Please use the form below to send a message to your lawmakers today, urging them to cosponsor the Pets Belong with Families Act.

Thank you for speaking up!