Massachusetts Just Made Life Easier for Pet Lovers—and Other States Need To Pay Attention

Most people consider their pets important members of their families. 

If you’re one of them, you’ll be pleased to learn about the new pet-friendly housing bills in Massachusetts.

Backed by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), these bills are designed to reduce housing discrimination for pet owners. 

They strive to limit restrictions that currently make it difficult for pet parents in the Bay State to lock in safe, affordable housing.

Whether you own a pet in Massachusetts or any other state, these types of bills have the potential to improve the quality of your life (and your pet’s). 

What are the housing bills in Massachusetts?

Part of the Action for Pet-Inclusive Housing campaign, these bills aim to support renters struggling to find pet-friendly rentals.

S.1022 / H.1559 would make it more difficult for landlords to discriminate against renters with pets. Its purpose is to ban breed-specific rules in public housing and condo associations and cap pet-related fees. 

The bill also hopes to add pet-friendly policies for emergency shelters and remove restrictions that make it challenging for pet owners to obtain renters or home insurance. 

The second bill—H.1476— revolves around state-supported public housing for older residents and ensuring consistent policies across housing authorities. 

How pet housing restrictions affect pet ownership

As a result of housing-related issues, over 3,000 animals went to the MSPCA in 2 1⁄2 years before May 2025.

“These are otherwise animals that would have a home—and loving owners that want to keep them—but are being forced to choose between their own housing stability and being able to keep their beloved pets,” says Jamie Blackburn, housing policy specialist for the MSPCA in an article on Boston.com. 

Dr. Liza Cahn, veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance in Seattle explains that when families can’t find or afford pet-friendly housing, they’re more likely to put off vet visits. 

Those who are violating pet bans may be scared to bring their pet to the vet in case a paper trail (such as a rabies certificate) could create problems with their landlord. 

“Getting behind on preventive care can then lead to more serious and costly medical issues in the future, often compounded by stress-related conditions associated with frequent moves or an unstable home environment,” says Dr. Cahn.

Finances may also be tight, especially if a family must pay additional fees in pet rent, insurance, or other pet-related housing costs.

The real trouble, however, is forced rehoming—often one of the biggest welfare impacts associated with restrictive housing. 

“It’s a heartbreaking decision that can be extremely stressful for pets and emotionally devastating for their families. In the worst cases, if no safe placement exists and shelters are overwhelmed, euthanasia becomes a risk,” explains Dr. Cahn.

Pet policies in other states

Pet policies vary greatly by state. In general, however, landlords get to decide whether pets are allowed and which restrictions they want to impose.

States like Ohio and Florida let landlords charge pet fees, meaning renters are forced to pay more for housing simply because they own a pet. Ohio, however, does have a proposed bill in place offering a tax credit to landlords who don’t impose pet-specific charges. 

Fortunately, some places have begun to halt pet restrictions. In Washington, DC, for example, landlords cannot deny pets due to breed, size, and weight. Additionally, there are limits on pet-related charges.

Nevada has banned insurance-based breed discrimination. This means a landlord can’t blacklist a tenant due to their pet’s breed.

If the two bills pass in Massachusetts, the state would become one of the most pet-friendly in the country. Its bills go beyond simply ending breed restrictions. They would limit fees and create greater consistency to pet rules while also bringing protections to older pet owners.

The impacts of pet-friendly legislation 

Pet-inclusive housing measures, such as reducing breed/size discrimination in housing, capping pet rent, and more, can have a positive effect on the lives of pet parents.

“They give families more realistic options to stay housed with their pets, ultimately resulting in more stable homes, less upheaval and stress for pets, more finances available for needed veterinary care, and fewer animals ending up in shelters because of forced rehoming,” explains Dr. Cahn.

While pet-friendly housing has its perks, Dr. Cahn warns that pets being housed in closer proximity could potentially lead to increased spread of disease or behavioral altercations. 

“No matter what your living situation is, it’s important to have a discussion with your vet about the vaccines and parasite prevention recommended for your pet’s lifestyle, and keep them up to date,” says Dr. Cahn.

Focusing on training, socialization, and good manners can also help make pet-inclusive housing more successful.