The recent meeting of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) focused on the overcrowding challenge that Massachusetts shelters are facing. Animal shelters across the Commonwealth report that adoption inquiries are way down and surrenders are up, leading to overcrowding and longer stays.
One reason for the increases in surrenders is that many landlords restrict pet ownership. Housing is hard enough to find; these restrictions make it even more difficult for families to keep their pets. If you want to help, reach out to your state representative and ask them to support S. 876/H. 1367: An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets in an economic crisis and beyond. The bill seeks to ensure that certain types of public housing authorities cannot discriminate against a tenant or resident’s dog based on size, weight, or perceived breed. It also prevents insurance companies from discriminating based on dog breed. See https://www.mspca.org/animal_protection/housingandinsurancebill/ and https://www.arlboston.org/our-work/legislative-agenda/#support
The recent coalition reported out on additional reasons for the increase in surrendering and lack of adoptions, including:
Cost of living, debt, financial instability
Families who adopted while working from home during Covid may no longer be able to care for them as their schedules change
The high number of adoptions during Covid may mean that fewer people are interested in adopting now
Accessing vet care is challenging
Limited access to pet-friendly housing
The coalition recommends many ways you can help:
Foster or adopt an animal from a shelter near you
Donate money to a shelter to help them provide for the animals in their care
Help your neighbors, friends, and relatives keep their pets by paying for a trainer for behavioral issues, medical care, or food
Volunteer at a shelter
Reach out to your representatives and ask them to support these bills: https://www.mspca.org/animal_protection/housingandinsurancebill/ and https://www.arlboston.org/our-work/legislative-agenda/#support