HB1553

Pet rent is an additional expense to owning a pet that has become extremely expensive. I have one cat, ONE. And I have to pay $55 a month to have him in my apartment. This is in addition to the $250 non-refundable pet deposit I paid upon moving in. I hope we can pass this bill to cap the rising cost of pet rent.

Please keep this in mind, as you consider HB 1553. I am confident this Bill is a good one and will benefit our pet-friendly housing community: "Being unable to find affordable, pet-friendly housing is one of the top reasons people surrender pets to shelters or offer them to strangers on Craigslist and similar platforms. Either way, this consequence can be devastating to the pet in question, whether given to a stranger (who could be a violent criminal) or surrendered to a shelter, where they could be killed." Please SUPPORT HB 1553. Thank you!

There is a serious shortage of affordable housing. Tacking on ridiculously high pet fees onto the rent leads to pet surrenders to shelters which are already stressed to care for pets surrendered because of rising costs of living.. Caps on fees or a 1% fee based on the rent may help people keep their beloved pets.

As someone who rented property with a companion animal and paid a monthly fee, I understand that animal companions cost money and that the monthly charge helps cushion the landlord from damages caused by a pet in the case of eviction or refusal to pay damages. However, even 1% of rent extrapolated over an entire year is a significant cost in which damages can and are able to be repaired. Consider this a preferable alternative to either individuals being unable to obtain or keep adequate housing, or additional companion animals overcrowding shelters or being let out on the streets. Thank you.

I urge you to pass HB 1553 so pet owners who rent have more affordable options for housing. Thank you.

Excessive pet fees disproportionately affect renters and families. Reasonable limits help keep housing accessible while allowing responsible pet ownership.