In these days of living in a somewhat isolationist society, our companion animals are more important to us than ever. They are our link to compassion and unconditional love, and assist us greatly in coping with everyday life. Because of the housing crisis, more people than ever are living in rentals rather than their own homes, and are at the mercy of rules and bylaws than can be illogical. It is common in some areas of California, for example, to not be able to find *ANY* rentals that accept pets, no matter what the amount of deposit is. As a result, our animal shelters have become more and more crowded, and pets die, simply because people are forced to give away their companion animals to be accepted as a tenant by many or most landlords. I feel that this is ridiculous and abhorrent. Humans cause far and above more damage to property than animals do! And either way, that is what a security or damage deposit is for. If damage is done that needs to be repaired, the landlord or whoever manages the property should simply take the amount necessary out of the deposit. Inspections can be set up on a regular basis to confirm that damage has not taken place.
I feel that now, more than ever before, we need to allow all people in society the right to keep their companion animals, and to take the costly burden off of animal shelters and animal control agencies. Please speak out, please take a stand, and sign my petition to stop the unnecessary discrimination of companion animals in all rental housing in the United States.