In my career, I have seen people experiencing homelessness give up space in shelter because their pet wasn’t invited - ultimatums of “only the human or nothing at all”. I’ve also seen very young and very old animals surrendered to animal shelters because their owners couldn’t deliver on the promises they made these animals because of their own personal housing conflicts - I.e. moving space quickly, getting new jobs etc.
I’ve always found it interesting, the dynamic between people who have no home willing to continue sacrificing everything for their pet, versus people who have a home (or multiple homes) that carelessly give away their pal because they can.
When animals return to an animal shelter because of housing conflicts, these animals very rarely get into new homes quickly. They often spend weeks in shelter until someone who isn’t as thoughtless adopts them, or until their life ends. They spend days alone. Routine broken. Living in uncomfortable loud and busy spaces. In my experience, especially in the early days, they are always looking for the person that left them behind.
If you have a pet, it’s a decision you make for a lifetime. It’s about time the government alleviates housing ultimatums.
Housing is a fundamental right. Whether you have four paws or no paws (or anywhere in between).
Did you know that the lack of pet-inclusive housing is a leading cause of animals being surrendered to shelters across the country?
It's time to address this issue head-on. Pet-inclusive housing reduces stress and loneliness for tenants, lowers turnover rates for landlords, and enhances social connections in communities.
Use your voice to create a more inclusive and compassionate housing system in Canada! Humane Canada has partnered with MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and our members nationwide to ensure renters with pets are included in a national Renters' Bill of Rights.
Sign the petition: https://lnkd.in/gMhT7zvz