Across Massachusetts, renters with pets are facing increasing barriers to stable housing. Limited pet-friendly options, breed restrictions, and costly pet fees are forcing many families to make an impossible choice between securing housing and keeping their beloved animals.
To address this growing crisis, the MSPCA has launched Action for Pet-Inclusive Housing, a campaign advocating for legislative solutions that would reduce pet discrimination and keep families together. Proposed measures include eliminating breed-specific bans in public housing and insurance policies, capping excessive pet fees, expanding pet-friendly emergency shelter options, and strengthening protections for seniors and renters with pets.
In 2025, at Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, we saw more than 30% of our surrenders were tied to housing issues – whether that was moving somewhere that does not allow cats, or the owner was unable to afford the cost prohibitive monthly pet fees.
While concerns about property damage and insurance costs persist for some landlords, others report that pet-inclusive policies lead to longer tenancies and more stable renter relationships. Advocates emphasize that supporting pet-inclusive housing not only helps families stay together, but also eases pressure on shelters and allows animal welfare organizations to focus resources on prevention, emergency response, and life-saving care.
