We’re gearing up for the start of Maine’s 132nd Legislative Session. A priority issue for 2025 is increasing the availability of pet-inclusive housing. Pets have become more central in people’s lives, yet restrictive housing policies have led to increased pet relinquishment, have been applied inequitably, and have strained finite resources in both the human services and animal welfare spaces. Check out our recorded webinar Building
Bridges: Advocating for Pet-Inclusive Housing Policies in Maine (Passcode: e@2!&wVv) in which we explore the lasting impact of housing policies on communities today and what it means to be truly pet-inclusive. We discuss how a coalition of advocates, animal welfare professionals, government agencies, and human services providers can drive change by engaging policymakers to enact inclusive housing laws and learning how to build partnerships in your community to better support people with pets. We’ll also be supporting efforts to increase access to basic veterinary care, provide the state authority to oversee municipal dog kennels, protect Maine’s wildlife, and more. The HSUS is looking forward to working with Maine advocates on these crucial issues so please feel free to reach out to our state director Katie Hansberry at khansberry@humanesociety.org for more information about getting involved!