Rep. Schiff Introduces Two Bipartisan Bills To Keep Pets and Families Together
Washington, DC — Today, Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) re-introduced the Pets Belong with Families Act with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Jason Crow (D-Colo.). Schiff, Fitzpatrick, and Crow also joined Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) to re-introduce the Providing for Unhoused People with Pets (PUPP) Act.
The Pets Belong With Families Act would prohibit broad and sweeping restrictions on pets in public housing based on breed. The Providing for Unhoused People with Pets Act of 2023 (PUPP Act) would provide funding for shelters to retrofit their facilities to better accommodate pets. Both bills would ensure that individuals don’t have to make the impossible decision between having a roof over their head or staying with their beloved pet.
“I introduced the Pets Belong with Families Act and the PUPP Act because no one should have to choose between keeping their beloved pet or having a safe place to call home. These bills will ensure people living in affordable housing or experiencing homelessness can keep their pets by removing discriminatory breed restrictions in public housing and providing funding to housing services to accommodate pets,” said Rep. Schiff.
“Pets are a much-needed source of comfort and companionship—they’re part of the family. No one should have to choose between their pet and a roof over their head," said Rep. Crow. "I’m glad to introduce the PUPP Act and Pets Belong with Families Act to improve shelter accommodations for unhoused individuals with pets and prohibit needless restrictions on certain animal breeds in public housing. All Coloradans, and their beloved pets, should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
“Pets belong with their owners, and all responsible owners deserve to keep their four-legged companions, regardless of housing status,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan pair of bills will ensure that unhoused individuals are able to have shelter with their pets, and remove breed-restrictions on public housing that often forces individuals to choose between their pets and stable housing. I’m proud to join my colleagues on the PUPP Act and the Pets Belong With Families Act to stand up for animals and their owners.”
“Pets are vital sources of love and comfort to their owners—especially during stressful times—and neither that bond nor the safety of those animals should ever be threatened by discriminatory breed restrictions in public housing or a lack of pet-friendly homeless shelters. The PUPP Act and Pets Belong with Families Act will ensure no one will have to choose between keeping their pets and securing affordable, stable housing for themselves,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. “The ASPCA is proud to support these critical pieces of legislation that protect the powerful and mutually beneficial connections between people and their beloved pets.”
The PUPP Act is endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, My Dog Is My Home, Animal Welfare Institute, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, The Street Dog Coalition, Humane Rescue Alliance, RedRover, Design Resources for Homelessness, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Portland Animal Welfare Team, Best Friends Animal Society, Feeding Pets of the Homeless, Pals N Pets, HEART LA, Michelson Center for Public Policy, Annie and Millie’s Place, Project Street Vet, and GRACE Marketplace.
The Pets Belong with Family Act is endorsed by the American Kennel Club, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, Michelson Center for Public Policy, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Bar Association, National Housing Law Project, and Animal Legal Defense Fund. It is cosponsored by Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Gerry E. Connolly (D-Va.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Colin Allred (D-Texas), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), Cori Bush (D-Miss.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, D.C.)
The full bill text for thePets Belong With Families Act ishere, and the full bill text for the PUPP Act is here.
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