Hi, Colleague

October is upon us, bringing with it the final quarter of 2023 as well as that most ghoulish of holidays, Halloween – when “It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared” according to the unforgettably frightful Vincent Price. Did you know that October also ushers in Pumpkin Day, Black Cat Day (yay!!), Hug a Drummer Day, and Candy Corn Day? As you’re celebrating all those amazing days and more, make time in your day to read some of the latest news in pets, including some enlightening info on insurance, pet-inclusivity in the workplace, how housing obstacles are contributing to shelter challenges, and more.

October 2023 Newsletter

Breaking Breed Barriers: Pawsitive Insurance Providers 

More rental housing operators than ever before are allowing pets, and savvy managers are capitalizing with pet-focused marketing campaigns and the addition of pet amenities and events to attract and keep pet owners. The most in-the-know operators are going a step further by lifting breed and weight restrictions to further capture this audience – companies like MAA, MC Companies, Paradigm, TGM, Milhaus and JC Hart, just to name a few. Insurance companies are coming around as well, with more providers eliminating breed restrictions.

Read more in Judy Bellack's latest blog here.

The Rise of Pet-Inclusive Workplaces: Implications for Leaders

In the post-COVID/work-from-home era, we saw a huge surge in pet adoptions – in large part to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness. Now that many companies are seeing a return to the office, leaders are challenged to help employees continue to enjoy the benefits of pet companionship while also maintaining a harmonious work environment. This instructional article offers six great ideas to help leaders move forward.

Pets Are Being Sent to Shelters Because of Natural Disasters, Housing Shortages

Give a listen to this compelling 3-minute NPR report detailing one couple’s story of potential housing instability due to breed- and weight-restrictive policies.

Pets as Social Catalysts: Building Connections and Communities Through Pet Ownership

Truth! Pets are true social catalysts; whether serving as the perfect furry icebreaker in your neighborhood park, a therapy pet, an emotional support animal or simply the family companion, read here to understand how pets allow us to connect and grow in ways that extend far beyond the unconditional love they bring.

Overcrowded Animal Shelters Prompt Age of Euthanasia. The Cause? Anti-pet Apartment Rules 

Capacity-forced euthanasia isn’t something anyone wants for companion animals, especially when shelter overcrowding is the result of unavoidable and heart-wrenching housing-related surrenders. The Companion Animal Alliance, Baton Rouge’s largest nonprofit animal shelter, offers some straightforward insights to the challenges facing renters, and therefore shelters, across the country.

Pets Allowed: A Michigan College is Testing Pet-Friendly Dorms

Kudos to Ferris University for recognizing the benefits of pet-friendly dorms (spoiler alert: the pilot program is already full!). One of the first universities in Michigan to become pet-friendly, Ferris administrators highlight the potential benefits for students, including managing anxiety, depression and homesickness. 

Read more about this innovative program here.

Pet-Inclusive Housing Hits the September Conference Circuit

Ross Barker and Jen Naitaki were excited to be on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. talking to legislative teams about important pet issues as part of the 6th Annual Pet Care Community D.C. Fly-In, organized by the Pet Advocacy Network. While in D.C. the PIHI team also participated in Pet Night on Capitol Hill, co-hosted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and the Pet Advocacy Network. These were great opportunities to engage with public and private leaders on the topic of keeping pets and families together.

Florida Leaders in Lifesaving Summit

Judy Bellack presented PIHI research data to this forward-thinking collaboration of animal welfare organizations dedicated to building innovative, strategic plans to save the lives of pets in Florida. It was a day of learning, sharing and lively conversation with leaders from across the state.

Your Resources for Pet-Inclusive Housing,

Judy Bellack 

Industry Principal,

Pet-Inclusive Housing 

Michelson Found Animals

Ross Barker

Program Director,

Pet-Inclusive Housing

Michelson Found Animals

Sara Muriello

Senior Program Manager, Pet-Inclusive Housing

Michelson Found Animals

The Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative fields research that demonstrates the benefits of pet-friendly housing to rental housing operators, residents, and communities. Read the 2021 PIHI Report.

Michelson Found Animals Foundation

is a leading animal welfare non-profit that believes people and pets are better together. Learn more at foundanimals.org.

HABRI is a non-profit that funds innovative research to scientifically document the health benefits of the human-animal bond and informs the public about the beneficial role of companion animals in society. Learn more at habri.org