Source: UF Health
A new study by Jennifer Applebaum, Ph.D., at the University of Florida finds that while housing policies are becoming more pet-inclusive, housing insecurity is worsening. The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Medicine, analyzed 2019-2023 data from Human-Animal Support Services, revealing a rise in animals entering shelters due to housing loss, while entries due to pet restrictions and landlord conflicts declined.
The data, covering 28,000 relinquishment records from 21 U.S. shelters, show that housing issues account for 14% of shelter intakes. Notably, the proportion of pit bull-type dogs and the average weight and age of relinquished animals declined over time. The study underscores the need for better housing policies to reduce breed, weight, and size restrictions and improve affordability and inclusivity. It also highlights that housing-related pet relinquishments often involve devastating choices for owners, suggesting a desire for reunification that current policies fail to support.
Read the full story HERE: https://ufhealth.org/news/2024/new-study-sheds-light-on-the-housing-related-reasons-people-have-to-give-up-their-pets