Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering new legislation designed to make it easier for residents to keep their pets during some of life’s most difficult circumstances, including housing instability and domestic violence.
On May 4th, State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster introduced House Bills 2475 and 2476 during Humane Lobby Day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The proposals are backed by animal welfare organizations, including Humane World for Animals and the ASPCA, which met with legislators to advocate for stronger protections for pets and their owners.
House Bill 2475 would place new limits on the fees landlords can charge tenants who own pets. Under the proposal, landlords would be prohibited from imposing upfront or recurring pet fees or pet rent, while pet security deposits would be capped to prevent excessive charges.
“It is one thing to charge tenants for property damage their pets could potentially cause. It is another thing entirely to charge a captive audience exorbitant fees for the sake of profit.”
Smith-Wade-El said the legislation seeks to strike a balance between allowing landlords to recover costs for legitimate property damage while preventing pet owners from facing unnecessary financial burdens.
“Pets are beloved family members and should not be seen as an obstacle to affordable housing,” Smith-Wade-El said. “It is one thing to charge tenants for property damage their pets could potentially cause. It is another thing entirely to charge a captive audience exorbitant fees for the sake of profit.”
Supporters say the measure addresses a growing affordability issue for renters. According to the ASPCA, approximately three out of every five Pennsylvania households own a pet, and housing-related issues remain one of the leading reasons families surrender companion animals.
“Pets are more than companions – they are family members, providing love and comfort to their owners during stressful times,” said Susan Riggs, senior director of housing policy for the ASPCA. “Housing insecurity can force even the most devoted pet owners to make a heartbreaking choice between keeping their pet or securing stable housing for themselves.”
“Not having a safe place for your pet to go is a major barrier to victims leaving a potentially life-threatening situation.”
The second proposal, House Bill 2476, focuses on domestic violence survivors. The bill would allow expenses associated with relocating or temporarily boarding household pets to qualify as reimbursable costs under Pennsylvania’s Crime Victim Compensation Program.
Current law allows certain relocation expenses for victims seeking safety, but supporters argue that pets are often left out of those protections despite playing an important role in survivors’ lives.
“Not having a safe place for your pet to go is a major barrier to victims leaving a potentially life-threatening situation,” Smith-Wade-El said. “As family members, pets should be covered, too.”
He added that expanding the program would ease one of the many challenges survivors face when escaping abusive situations. “We need legislation to assuage the fears of how family pets could be treated in domestic violence situations,” Smith-Wade-El said. “The pressures of relocating a pet are already high, and it becomes immense in a high-stress position. With a minor legislative tweak, we can alleviate a major source of stress for people and pets who are escaping abuse.”
“Too often, families are forced into impossible decisions between housing and the animals they love. These bills will help ensure that in times of uncertainty or transition, people are not forced to leave their pets behind in order to find safety and stability.”
Jessica Simpson, companion animal policy program manager for Humane World for Animals, said unexpected financial hardships and personal crises should not force families to choose between their own safety and the well-being of their pets.
“Too often, families are forced into impossible decisions between housing and the animals they love,” Simpson said. “These bills will help ensure that in times of uncertainty or transition, people are not forced to leave their pets behind in order to find safety and stability.”
After their initial introduction on May 4th, House Bills 2475 and 2476 were both referred to committees for review.
Danielle Works is the Community Engagement Manager for RedRover. With more than 10 years of experience in animal welfare, Danielle consults with shelters throughout the country to identify collaborative solutions for pets and owners in crisis. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
