Supporting Vulnerable People and Pets During Housing Crises: Policy and Practice

Keeping people and pets together during times of housing crisis is essential for preserving family bonds, reducing trauma, and promoting better outcomes for both humans and animals. Yet less than 25% of domestic violence shelters nationally accept pets, and the “no pets allowed” rule in homeless shelters remains a standard practice. 

In this CLE program, panelists, Megan Senatori, Esq. from the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School, Lina Cohen from Urban Resource Institute’s PALS for All initiative, and Christine Kim from My Dog Is My Home discusses the legal and practical frameworks that can support keeping people and their companion animals together during housing crises. This session explores the human and animal welfare implications of co-sheltering, highlight best practices for implementing pet-inclusive policies in interim housing, provide an overview of key legislation, and spark ideas for how lawyers can leverage their knowledge and skills to support survivors of domestic violence and their companion animals.

Speakers

Lina Cohen, Urban Resource Institute (URI)

Christine Kim, My Dog is My Home

Megan A. Senatori, Esq., Center for Animal Law Studies | Lewis & Clark Law School