Animal welfare advocates are on the front lines and able to provide information, guidance, and resources to people with pets facing housing challenges. This session will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to provide compassionate and effective case management for any program working with vulnerable pets. You will also learn how to collaborate with the human services sector in your community to improve outcomes in keeping people and pets together.

Additionally, we will discuss laws that help tenants combat being denied housing due to their pets. Keeping pets housed requires keeping people housed. In 2022, the Humane Society of the United States launched its first pet-inclusive housing mentorship with the Cleveland Animal Protective League and Richmond SPCA. Attendees will see examples of geographic information system (GIS) mapping to identify areas of need in their communities and learn how to use a combination of data, policy change, and safety net programming to help families maintain or secure pet-inclusive housing.

Presenters: 

• Sharon Harvey, President & CEO, Cleveland Animal Protective League
• Garrett Parsons, Pet Support Supervisor, Found House Interfaith Housing Network
• Dianne Prado, Founder & Director, Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART LA)

WEBSITE LINK:  https://learning.theaawa.org/p/9-27-23