By The Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative
Here’s how hotels and temporary housing providers can help keep people and pets together after LA’s extraordinary wildfires.
Many families are facing displacement in the aftermath of the LA wildfires, and for pet parents, the displacement is worsened by the lack of temporary housing that welcomes their pets. Businesses, including the Hotel Association of Los Angeles and Airbnb, have stepped up to help address the massive displacement caused by LA’s extraordinary wildfires. To ensure this compassion and kindness reaches families with pets, hotels and temporary housing providers can take five simple steps to help keep people and pets together while prioritizing safety and business needs.
1. Accept all companion animals – including cats and dogs – even just temporarily.
Two-thirds of households in the U.S. have at least one pet, so it is reasonable to assume that most families displaced by the LA wildfires have pets. Adjusting pet policies to allow all companion animals—even if just during this extraordinary time—helps keep families together and pets out of overwhelmed animal shelters. Check out this helpful guide from Michelson Found Animals for information on accommodating cats.
2. Reduce or eliminate breed restrictions.
Research shows that an individual dog’s breed is not a reliable indicator of behavior and that there is no correlation between pet dog genetics and threatening or biting behavior. Hotels and temporary housing providers should rely on clearly written expectations for pet behavior rather than erroneous breed stereotypes for pet policies.
3. Increase pet weight limits or remove them altogether.
There is no evidence that larger pets cause more damage to housing units. By welcoming all companion animals without restrictions, hotels and temporary housing providers foster transparency with pet owners. This transparency gives hotels and housing providers the opportunity to assess each pet individually.
4. Reconsider pet fees.
The industry often believes pet fees are necessary to cover potential damages. However, average pet damages occur in less than 10% of pet-occupied units, making additional pet fees challenging to justify. With families under particular financial strain during this difficult time, reducing or eliminating pet fees is even more imperative.
5. Welcome more families with pets with clear expectations – and some goodies.
Provide a simple list of rules and responsibilities for guests with pets. These guidelines will create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone. And don’t forget to welcome furry guests with some treats and toys!
By taking these simple steps, hotels and temporary housing providers can meet the needs of displaced families with pets. Supporting families during such a critical time helps build trust and long-term guest relationships, creating lasting benefits for everyone involved.
For more pet-inclusive housing information and resources, visit petsandhousing.org.