WELCOME

Best Friends Animal Society: Managing & Living with in Rental Housing

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Timothy Crawl-Bey, Moderator CCUSA Senior Director, Housing Strategy Webinar Logistics

✓ The webinar is being recorded and will be available on the website in the ‘members only’ portal.

✓ Your phone line or computer speakers are muted.

✓ You may use the ‘Chat’ feature for comments or questions during the presentation.

✓ We will have time for Q & A at the end and will open the lines at that time.

✓ All questions not addressed during the webinar will receive an email response. Continuing Education Credits

❖ This webinar offers 1 Continuing Education Credit ❖ Survey Monkey link in the follow-up webinar email ❖ Evaluation and posttest to receive credit ❖ Survey Monkey link closes 1 week from the day you receive it in your email ❖ You will receive your CE certificate within 10 days of completing the evaluation and posttest Webinar Goals

1. Learn the importance of keeping families and pets together

2. Gain awareness concerning resources that are available in helping owners and management.

3. Better understand the relationship of pet policies and federal law. Today’s Panelists Jennielynn Holmes is the Chief Program Officer for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, which includes overseeing all aspects of the largest shelter and housing system between the Golden Gate Bridge and Oregon border. Jennielynn was born and raised in Santa Rosa, CA and received her undergraduate degree from the University of California Davis as well as her Masters in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco. She was recognized by the North Bay Business Journal as a one of the top 40 business professionals under the age of 40 and more recently was recognized by Senator Mike McGuire as Sonoma County’s Woman of the Year. Jennielynn has a passion for developing innovative programs and much of her work has been nationally recognized as best practices. She is a graduate of Leadership Santa Rosa (Class 32) and also serves on the City of Santa Rosa’s Community Advisory Board, Leadership Santa Rosa’s Steering Committee, County of Sonoma’s Ag and Open Space Committee as well as Sonoma County’s First Five Commission.

ELIZABETH ORECK is the national coordinator of Best Friends Animal Society’s Housing Initiatives, which work to support communities and keep pets and families together through programs, partnerships and policies. Elizabeth works closely with elected officials, organizations, community stakeholders and advocates to educate the public and promote positive policies for pets and their people. In her twelve years with Best Friends, she has been instrumental in the passage of a variety of state and local legislation throughout the country and has presented at dozens of national conferences, forums and events. Elizabeth has worked in animal welfare and advocacy for twenty years and is a wildlife rehabilitator who has served on the boards of the California Wildlife Center, Pets90210 and the Coalition for Pets and Public Safety, as well as the Regional Council of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Previously, she was the managing director of pet adoption centers for spcaLA and the District 5 representative for the Los Angeles City Spay & Neuter Advisory Board. Elizabeth lives in Los Angeles and has been with Best Friends since 2008. Today’s Panelists AKISHA TOWNSEND EATON, OFS is a legislative attorney for Best Friends, with more than a decade of experience in the area of companion animal legislation and policy. Akisha works with local and state leaders to advance laws and policies that ensure the well-being of animals and the communities and individuals with whom they share their lives. Since joining Best Friends in 2017, she has successfully advocated for the passage of laws that increase access to veterinary care for lower-income individuals, eliminate unnecessary legal hurdles for elderly citizens caring for animals and provide greater flexibility for shelters to serve their communities. Understanding the intersection between human needs and animal welfare, she has presented at forums such as the International Veterinary Social Work Summit on innovative ways to address poverty in the context of animal services. Akisha is a lay member of the Secular Franciscan Order, and is committed to Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation ministry within her parish and larger community. Akisha lives in Kentucky with her husband and two companion animals, Snowflake and Oreo. She is a graduate of Georgetown Law and Stanford University and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

ELISE TRAUB serves as Best Friends Animal Society’s Senior Director External Affairs and Office of the CEO. In this capacity, she leads Best Friends’ legislative efforts, advocacy campaigns, grassroots engagement, external partnerships, and government affairs. She supports Best Friends’ leadership in strategic planning and external affairs. She oversees a diverse team of attorneys, policy experts, research analysts, and advocacy professionals who are working to achieve Best Friends’ goal to make the country no-kill by 2025. Prior to joining Best Friends in 2019, Elise served as an advisor to the State and Community Engagement Division of AARP, which conducts advocacy and community outreach work on behalf of Americans age 50-plus and their families. Previously, Elise led international legislative campaigns for the Global Shark Conservation campaign of the Pew Charitable Trusts and served as the Director of Wildlife Protection Policy for the Humane Society of the United States. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in the passage and successful defense of many local, state, federal and international laws to benefit animals. BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY

\ 7 \ OUR STORY

• Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of and cats in America’s shelters.

• Based in Kanab, Utah, we operate the nation’s largest sanctuary for companion animals

• Lifesaving centers in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Salt Lake City and soon, Bentonville, AR

• Leader of lifesaving coalitions nationwide and a network of more than 3,000 partners

• Proven lifesaving solutions have helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters annually from 17M to about 625,000 today

\ 8 \ Every day in America’s shelters, dogs and cats are killed simply because they don’t have safe places to call home. MORE THAN 1,700 EVERY DAY

AROUND 625,000 EVERY YEAR

\ 9 \ TOGETHER, WE WILL SAVE THEM ALL. Every pet deserves a safe and loving place to call home, and we’re working to make that happen. Together, we will make the country no-kill by 2025.

\ 10 \ WHERE WE ARE SAVING ANIMALS

\ 11 \ ADVOCACY AND PROGRAMMING

Best Friends is working from coast to coast at the local, state and federal level to promote programs, policy and legislation in the areas that have the greatest impact on saving the lives of pets in shelters and preserving the human-animal bond by allowing pets to remain with their families.

\ 12 \ WORKING LOCALLY TO HELP PETS AND PEOPLE Our 2025 Action Team is an inclusive, community-driven movement of local advocates working to help save pets and support communities by:

• Forming neighborhood support systems by connecting with local animal organizations, schools and local businesses • Identifying local needs and utilizing community members and businesses to fill those needs • Creating a community model focused on leading with compassion

\ 13 \ AMERICANS LOVE THEIR PETS

• 2 out of 3 American homes have pets. • 173 million cats and dogs live in 81 million households. • Housing restrictions are the number two reason pets are surrendered to shelters. • Best Friends is working to promote pet-inclusive policies that allow more pets to be adopted and to prevent unnecessary separation from their families.

SOURCE: https://bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-welfare-statistics

\ 14 \ PREPARING FOR A MAJOR HOUSING CRISIS

• An estimated 30-40 million people and their pets are at risk of eviction in America due to COVID-19.

• Communities of color are disproportionately rent-burdened and at risk of eviction.

SOURCE: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-covid-19-eviction-crisis-an-estimated- 30-40-million-people-in-america-are-at-risk/ (August 7, 2020)

\ 15 \ TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

• It's estimated that 5-25% of homeless individuals have a and/or cat.

• In 2016, the National Alliance to End Homelessness conducted a survey to assess why people avoid shelters. 22% of respondents indicated they avoided shelter because “they don’t accept my pet.”

• National Alliance to End Homelessness + PetSmart Charities: Keeping People and Pets Together (2020)

PHOTO SOURCE: National Alliance to End Homelessness

\ 16 \ CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SANTA ROSA

CCSR Pet-Friendly Shelter Model

• In 2016, CCSR shelters in Northern CA began a three-part transition: first to a low-barrier model, then to accommodate service animals, and finally to accept pets at their Samuel L. Jones Hall shelter.

• They trained staff, consulted with veterinarians, wrote a protocol for animal processes and accummulated supplies through donations.

• They only accept dogs. No size or breed limits; the only restrictions are behavior-based. Dogs must have a certification, be spayed/neutered, and not be a threat to public health and safety.

• CCSR shelters are housing-focused and work to help residents move into permanent housing. This includes assisting residents with pets.

\ 17 \ THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING PETS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER Real stories from Best Friends' 2020 Housing Survey

• I am a 65-year old woman who has gone through a very hard divorce. The only thing that has kept me alive is my pets. The thought of not having them in my life is unthinkable. The local shelter is now building a kitty condo for homeless persons who have cats and do not want to give them up. This shelter already allows dogs. This is such a relief to me. I lived in my car for 6 days in Feb. of 2018. I would not give up my cats and there are many others who feel and would do the same. I hope not to have to live in a shelter but at least I know I can take my cats. – Sherry C., Utah

\ 18 \ • "I have a 17-year old dog because a friend of mine had to move into low income housing. The dog is a Golden , so that put him over the weight limit for housing. The man got to keep his cat and we found money to pay the deposit for his cat. The man has depression and the dog was so close to him. He does not see the dog because it causes him more pain." – Sandy M., Illinois

• "After changing jobs in 1991, I had to take a government-subsidized rental home that would not accept our dog. She was older and having health issues but was still a part of our family. We decided it was best to have her euthanized. My kids and I were devastated. After 8 years, I began looking for another rental, but could not find pet friendly housing. I even offered to pay an extra $1000 security deposit and sign an agreement to pay for any damages. – Anonymous

\ 19 \ PET- INCLUSIVE HOUSING POLICIES BENEFIT HOUSING PROVIDERS

• Over 90% of housing providers and residents agree that pets are an important part of the family. • 83% of housing providers say that pet-friendly vacancies can be filled faster than non pet-friendly units. • Residents in pet-friendly units stay 21% longer vs. non pet- friendly units.

SOURCE: Michelson Found Animals and Human Animal Bond Research Institute Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative

\ 20 \ PET- INCLUSIVE POLICIES PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH According to the CDC, pets have positive impacts on humans at nearly every stage of life:

• Lower blood pressure • Lower risk of heart disease • Reduced stress levels • Decreased anxiety and depression • Strengthened immune systems • Increased physical activity

SOURCE: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, About Pets & People (April 15, 2019)

\ 21 \ THE BENEFITS OF PETS FOR SENIORS

• Pets can provide unconditional love and companionship to older adults. • Pets can promote social confidence and a sense of purpose and responsibility.

• Pets provide an opportunity to do wellness checks on isolated seniors.

• Pet therapy programs are a great way to bring joy to those who are unable to have pets of their own.

\ 22 \ AMERICANS WITH ACT (ADA)

• 1 in 4 U.S. adults – 61 million Americans – live with a , according to the CDC. • ADA requires state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public to make "reasonable modifications" in their policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is allowed to go. • Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion animals are not considered Service Animals under the ADA. • Breed or size restrictions not permitted.

SOURCES: https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html and https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0816-disability.html

\ 23 \ FAIR HOUSING ACT (FHA)

FHA includes persons with disabilities and protects them from housing discrimination

• Applies to dwellings only • DOJ and HUD enforce • More protections granted to individuals living with a disability than the ADA • Requires access for Service and Assistance animals • Breed and weight restrictions not permitted

\ 24 \ PET OWNERSHIP IN PUBLIC HOUSING (POPH) • Residents of public housing may own one or more common household pets subject to the “reasonable requirements of the public housing agency”

• Reasonable requirements may include: o Payment of a nominal fee, a pet deposit, or both o Limitations on the number of animals in a unit, based on unit size • Prohibitions on: o Types of animals classified as dangerous o Individual animals, based on certain factors including the size/weight

• Restrictions or prohibitions based on the building • Requirements that pets be registered and/or spayed/neutered are acceptable, but not “debarking” mandates

SOURCE: United States Code, 2006 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, Chapter 8, Subchapter I, Sec. 1437z-3

\ 25 \ SERVICE ANIMALS + EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

• A is trained to do a job that his/her owner can't perform without help due to a physical or psychiatric disability. Although these animals may provide emotional support, the work of the service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. They must be permitted in housing, even if other pets are not allowed.

• An (ESA) is a dog, cat, rabbit, bird, or other pet that provides calming or other benefits to a person with an emotional disability, such as anxiety, depression etc. ESA's do not have to be trained, but a prescription letter is required to qualify. While they don’t have unlimited access to public spaces, the Fair Housing Act mandates “reasonable accommodations” for ESAs even in buildings that don’t allow pets.

\ 26 \ RESOURCES FOR PET OWNERS

• Pets often end up in shelters due to a lack of resources. Sadly, many people don't realize resources exist until after they've surrendered their pet. • Resources are available in communities throughout the U.S. for pets of senior citizens and people with disabilities, or who may be experiencing financial challenges or serious illness.

\ 27 \ RESOURCES FOR PET OWNERS

• Financial assistance for low-income pet owners • Pet food pantries provide free pet food to those in need • Free and low-cost spay and neuter • Mobile vets deliver veterinary services to pet owners who are unable to get to a clinic • Disease-specific resources for pets • Estate planning information for pet owners who wish to provide a lifetime care plan for their pet

\ 28 \ RESOURCES FOR PET OWNERS

• Foster homes for pets of military personnel & medical patients • Service dog support for disabled veterans • Help for domestic violence victims seeking safety with their pets • Financial support for those in need of an • Resources for those with assistance dogs • Foster opportunities for those in need of a temporary home for their pet • Rehoming opportunities for those in need of a permanent home for their pet

\ 29 \ BEING PROACTIVE PROTECTS PETS Natural Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners

• The federal Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act ensures that state emergency preparedness plans take individuals with companion and service animals into consideration. It was passed by Congress in direct response to the study on federal lessons learned in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

• The PETS Act is a step in the right direction for keeping families together and safe during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake or flood, but pet owners should also be sure they are prepared for emergencies.

• Pet Natural Disaster Checklist and Emergency Plan

\ 30 \ • In some disaster situations, local emergency management may arrange for a pet shelter to be open to evacuated or displaced residents’ pets. o These shelters often require proof of up-to-date vaccinations and that pets remain crated/leashed.

o Pet owners must provide any specialized food and/or medications if the pet requires them.

o To identify whether your local emergency management agency has established a pet shelter, visit their website and search for pet shelters. Alternatively, you can contact them directly to ask about any pet sheltering plans in your community.

• Natural disaster preparedness resources for pet owners

\ 31 \ BEING PROACTIVE PROTECTS RESIDENTS

Having a Pet Agreement between housing providers and pet owners can help establish a mutual understanding of the requirements all residents with pets must abide by to ensure safety, responsibility and a supportive environment for all.

SOURCE: Michaelson Found Animals Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative

\ 32 \ BEING PROACTIVE PROTECTS PET OWNERS Housing coordinators should collect pet information from residents in case the pet owner becomes sick or is unable to care for their pet:

• Veterinarian contact information • Vaccination history • Spay/neuter status • Microchip # • Backup pet guardians

COVID-19 Toolkit for Housing Coordinators

TOOLKIT SOURCE: PawsOpeningDoors.com

\ 33 \ COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR PET OWNERS Best Friends offers a comprehensive set of resources for pet owners, including:

• An emergency pet preparedness plan (English and Spanish versions available) • Free veterinary consultations for 30 days through the Best Friends Vet Access app • Up-to-date information and FAQs

RedRover.org offers emergency boarding grants for pet owners hospitalized with COVID-19

\ 34 \ THANK YOU!

bestfriends.org Contact: [email protected]

\ 35 \ THANK YOU!

Questions can be directed to: [email protected]