b"Making Our Communities Pet FriendlierIn a 2021 report published by the Human Animal The Humane Society of the United States suggestsBond Research Institute and the Michelson Found we can do this by first dismantling the excuses perpetu-Animals foundation, 76 percent of property owners or ated by insurance companies that claim certain breedsmanagers surveyed said their properties are pet-friendly. carry a high risk, despite copious research proving oth-However, only eight (8) percent ofthose properties are erwise. Likewise, property owners should stop blamingfree of pet restrictions. In reality, many so-called pet- insurance companies for their discriminatory policiesfriendly communities aren't all that welcoming to pets. when there are companies that will insure all breeds.They have size, weight or breed restrictions, and exorbi- Additionally, eliminating arbitrary restrictions on pettant pet-related deposits and/or monthly fees. This ownership in communities ensures all cats and dogs aremakes pet ownership an obstacle for countless families. welcome, regardless of their breed or size. Just this oneTo stop the needless separation of families and the high thing alone has the potential to save hundreds of thou-influx of owner-surrenders to shelters, the problem sands of pet lives every year by preventing owner-sur-must be tackled at its core.renders to shelters and opening up new homes foradoptable animals.The governing documents of many community associ-ations impose limits on the types and number of pets amember or tenant may keep in a unit or home.These pet restrictions take varying forms; sometimes,the goal is to curtail what are deemed to be aggressive ordangerous breeds as defined by the governing documents.In other instances, a restriction may limit the number ofpets a single owner may keep, or may define what types ofanimals are deemed domesticated and permitted to bekept as a pet at all.Lets shift the way we think and talk about thismajor housing problem, and expose the devastation itis causing to pets and their families every single day.Whether you and your community have the capacity totake just a few simple steps or, if you're ready to launchyour own community-wide campaign advocating petfriendlier, you can begin improving options for millionsof Americans and their pets today.A dogs breed or perceived breed does not predicttheir behavior. It is far past time for property owners,insurance companies and policymakers to realize andunderstand this as well. If we want to serve our com-munities holistically, to keep pets and people who lovethem together in safe and stable housing, then animaladvocates need to learn about housing challenges andopportunities, and housing people need to learn aboutanimal resources, said Cole Thayler, co-director of theSafe and Stable Homes Project and the co-founder ofPaws Between Homes. !Wounded warrior with her service dog. Photographed during theWarrior Games held in Tampa, Florida in 2019 SOURCE: Humane Society of the United States:Where Is Truly Pet Friendly Housing14 - Suncoast Review Summer 2022 www.SuncoastCAI.com"