Session 5: Access to housing for pet owners as healthy public policy

This presentation links human health, housing, and pet ownership. Pets may contribute positively to human health, yet they are regularly restricted from housing which can result in their relinquishment. When pets are considered in housing studies, attention tends to be paid towards vulnerable pet owners, namely in the context of homelessness, situations of domestic violence, or disaster circumstances. Emergency boarding is therefore essential because people may risk their lives if they anticipate being separated from their pets or being turned away from shelters because of them. Even so, if pet owners attempt to move into more permanent housing, they may encounter bans on pets in subsidized, supported, or rental accommodations. Moreover, bylaws may force homeowners, specifically condominium owners, to give up their pets. Overall, this presentation considers how restrictions on pets in housing impact human health and animal welfare.