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SPCA
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Affordable housing victim
Unless you're able to afford the unaffordable, there's not much hope in this housing crisis.
Especially if you're a cat or dog.
The SPCA is reporting that as housing prices (and evictions) have skyrocketed, so have the number of pets being dumped at local shelters by teary-eyed owners who can't afford a housing setup for the
whole family (furry friends included). "This disturbing trend is due to the fact that pet-friendly housing is becoming scarce in San Francisco," says Krista Maloney, spokeswoman for the SPCA.
Here are some more depressing stats:
- Since March 1, 2014, the SF SPCA handled 207 surrender cases due to housing.
- Half of those cases were specifically because San Francisco residents couldn't find pet-friendly housing.
- 25 of those cases were due to changes in the lease agreement.
- The highest number of pet surrenders recorded at the SPCA shelter is from the Mission District, with 42 percent of cases due to housing.
Sadly, Catsy Cline, is one of those San Francisco cats who, after 12 years in a devoted home, was dropped off at the shelter because her owner was being evicted. She's been at the SPCA for 10 months, waiting on a new owner to rescue her.
"We want to give pet owners the knowledge and tools they need to proactively address a landlord's animal-related concerns," Maloney says. "With property damage being the main reason why landlords ban pets from their buildings, we advise giving potential landlords a “pet resume."
It's exactly what it sounds like: a summary of your pet’s best qualities — anything that might make your dog or cat appear to be the perfect tenant.
"You’ll want to include your pets past history in rentals, referrals from former landlords, along with any obedience classes and proof of spay/neuter, as these pets are better behaved," Maloney says. " While this may sound ludicrous to some, it’s all part of the incredible competition to live in this fine city of ours.
If you are still willing to brave the San Francisco housing market, you might want to check out these
tenant tips for pet owners.
Good luck.
