What is Open Door Miami?
 According to a
survey conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy:
35% of people
without pets would own a pet if their rental housing permitted animals.
If all rental
housing permitted pets, 6.5 million animals could be placed in new
homes.
The refusal
by landlords to allow pets ranks as the most-often cited reason for giving up
dogs, and the third most often cited reason for surrendering cats to an
animal shelter.
According to
a 1991 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 58% of U.S. households now own a pet of some kind.
Miami, just as many communities throughout the nation,
has many rental housing units, condo associations and other housing that do
not allow pets. Thus, many animals
that could have homes remain homeless or are euthanized. Responsible pet owners make great tenants and
are likely to rent for longer periods of time once they have found housing that
welcomes their companion animals.
Additionally, the medical, social, and emotional benefits of living
with a pet have been widely acknowledged by veterinarians, medical doctors,
and psychologists.
Owners and managers often have legitimate concerns about
allowing pets based on previous experiences with irresponsible pet
owners. But it doesn’t have to be that
way. The key to a successful pets welcome policy is allowing only
responsible pet owners to rent.
Landlords need to use a careful screening process as well as institute
and enforce reasonable rules and regulations.
Open
Door Miami is a
program that shows property owners the benefits of a carefully designed and
implemented pets welcome policy and teaches tenants how to
find, increase, and maintain pet friendly housing in our community. Additionally,
it fosters collaboration of animal welfare organizations to provide support
services that are essential to retention of pets and successful pet
ownership.
Open
Door Miami Complete Guide
 Citizens for Pets in
Condos, http://www.petsincondos.org
POOCH POLITICS By JULIA SZABO - New York Post Online
Edition: Seven
.........This column appeared in today's New York Post. As you can see,
the pro-pet in housing forces are active in NYC as well. Is there any
way that we might possibly be able to link up and add strength to the
movement in both areas?
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