Spring Policy Forum focuses on access to pet-inclusive housing

Access to pet-inclusive housing remains a major pressure point for pet retention, and that issue was center stage at the 2026 Spring Policy Forum presented by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). Participants included leaders in pet care, animal welfare, housing, policy, and research.¹

According to HABRI, the forum focused on identifying policies that support access to pet-inclusive housing, with discussion spanning disability-related housing protections for individuals with pets and assistance animals, market-based approaches, effects on animal welfare and social service systems, and lessons from a case study in the United Kingdom.¹

Steven Feldman, president of HABRI, said the housing barrier continues to affect whether families can acquire or keep companion animals. “Ninety-eight percent of pet owners consider their pets an important member of the family, but too many people are not able to get them or keep them because of restrictions on housing, especially rental housing,” Feldman said in a news release.¹

For veterinary professionals, the issue is clinically relevant beyond policy alone. Housing-related relinquishment can directly affect continuity of care, chronic disease management, preventive care compliance, and client willingness or ability to pursue long-term treatment plans. In a dvm360 interview, Lindsey Braun, vice president of research and operations for HABRI, discussed HABRI’s research focus in 2026 on pet retention and the affects on it from policies limiting inclusivity for pets.

“This year, for the first time ever, we're doing a special call on housing, pet inclusive rental housing. We know that from our from data we've collected…there's really not enough affordable and accessible rental housing that's really devoid of unnecessary restrictions on pets, like breed and size and number of pets. And so we're looking to infuse more data into the conversation,” she said.²

“We really need the data and the research to support the kinds of policies and programs that are already in place or that really need to help kind of broader society benefit and improve public health, and so that's really kind of the role we like to play; adding data to the conversation and trying to address the big issues,” Braun continued.

In the forum’s discussions, participants highlighted policy approaches that could reduce common barriers, including prohibiting breed, weight, and size restrictions; capping pet rents and deposits; and requiring clearer pet policy transparency in apartment leasing. The forum also complemented HABRI’s research focus on pet-inclusive housing with an opening keynote from Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, and discussion of housing protections for individuals with disabilities who have pets and assistance animals.¹

Proceedings concluded with a call to establish a new advocacy group, the Pets and Families Housing Coalition. Founding partners in the coalition include the American Pet Products Association, Independence Pet Holdings, Mars, the Michelson Center for Public Policy, and HABRI, according to the forum’s host organization. The coalition plans to support what organizers described as practical, evidence-based policies to expand pet-inclusive housing at local, state, and federal levels.¹

Pete Scott, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association and a HABRI board member, noted that the coalition is intended to coordinate and expand efforts to remove barriers to pet ownership. “Our goal is to leverage the strengths of our combined organizations and have others join us to work together to increase pet-inclusive housing across the country,” Scott said.¹

Sammi-Jo Nevin, chief legal officer of Independence Pet Holdings, linked the initiative directly to pet surrender. “Housing remains one of the leading reasons pets are surrendered, and this coalition is about keeping pets where they belong: in loving homes,” Nevin said in a news release, adding that the effort is intended to offer solutions that expand access to housing for pet owners.¹

“Whether it's people, pet owners, the animal welfare system, the veterinarians, everyone is facing just because we know that everyone, or we believe that everyone, should have access to a healthy pet in their lives,” Braun said.²

HABRI said a white paper summarizing key takeaways from the forum will be released in the coming weeks. Additional information about the event is available from HABRI.¹

Reference

1. Human Animal Bond Research Institute. HABRI Spring Policy Forum rallies support for pet-inclusive housing. PR Newswire. May 6, 2026. Accessed May 7, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/habri-spring-policy-forum-rallies-support-for-pet-inclusive-housing-302764701.html
2. Crossley KC, Braun L. Researching the human-animal bond. dvm360. February 13, 2026. Accessed May 7, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/researching-the-human-animal-bond