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Housing Support

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center recognizes the challenges renters face when it comes to finding affordable, pet-inclusive housing. We have gathered information we hope will be helpful to renters, including frequently asked questions related to rights to assistance animals in housing, temporary pet guardianship, living outside or in a vehicle with a pet and eviction information.

PET FRIENDLY HOUSING

Websites that we have found to be helpful when searching for pet friendly housing:

Apartment List

Apartment Guide

Craigslist (Inland Empire)

Hot Pads

Move.com

Rent.com

Trulia

Zillow

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND SERVICE ANIMALS IN HOUSING

Information provided by Disability Rights California’s Fact Sheet: Rights to Assistance Animals in Housing

  • According to the CDC, one in four Americans (61 million people) currently lives with a disability, yet many community members do not know their rights when it comes to assistance animals in housing.
  • State and federal fair housing laws* provide rights to both service animals and emotional support animals in housing as reasonable accommodations for a tenant’s or housing applicant’s disability.
  • A service animal is a dog who is individually trained to perform work or tasks that benefit a person with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other type of disability. A service animal may be trained by a professional, a friend, a family member or the person with a disability.
  • An emotional support animal (ESA) is any animal who eases the effects of a person’s disability by providing comfort or support. There are no specific training requirements for emotional support animals.
  • A reasonable accommodation is an exception to rules or policies that are necessary to allow people with disabilities to use and enjoy their housing. This includes a requirement that housing providers make exceptions to a "no pets" policy.

Learn more about assistance animals and your rights.

*Here is a list of the primary laws that cover disability rights in housing:

Fair Housing Amendments Act (The federal law covers most forms of housing, including homeless shelters.)
Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act (This federal law covers recipients of federal funds.)
California Disabled Persons Act. California Fair Employment and Housing Act.

HOUSING AND PETS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is pet-friendly housing and where can I find it?

  • Rental housing advertised as "pet friendly" allows pets who have not been designated as emotional support or service animals. The vast majority of pet policies for these properties have restrictions in place regarding the number of pets permitted in each unit as well as the type, breed or size of pet. Most properties also charge an extra deposit and/or monthly pet rent. With that said, some properties that are not advertised as being pet-friendly will accept pets on a case-by-case basis.
  • While securing pet-friendly housing can be difficult, there are many actions you can take to boost your chances of finding a rental that will welcome your pets.

What are the laws and requirements around housing assistance?

Information provided by Disability Rights California’s Fact Sheet: Rights to Assistance Animals in Housing

  • A "service animal" is a dog who is individually trained to perform work or tasks that benefit a person with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other type of disability. A service animal may be trained by a professional, a friend, a family member or the person with a disability.
  • An "emotional support animal" is any animal who eases the effects of a person’s disability by providing comfort or support. There are no specific training requirements for emotional support animals. 
  • State and federal fair housing laws* provide rights to both service animals and emotional support animals in housing as reasonable accommodations for a tenant’s or housing applicant’s disability. 
  • A reasonable accommodation is an exception to rules or policies that are necessary to allow people with disabilities to use and enjoy their housing. This includes a requirement that housing providers make exceptions to a "no pets" policy.
  • A request for a reasonable accommodation to have an emotional support animal in housing can be denied if the animal:
    • Is not necessary because of the guardian’s disability (see documentation requirement information at the end of this section).
    • Poses a direct threat** to other people or property. 
    • Is not under the guardian’s care (if the animal is out of control and the animal’s guardian does not take effective action to control the animal).
    • Is not housebroken.
    • Imposes an undue financial or administrative burden.
    • Fundamentally alters the nature of services that the landlord or homeowners association provides (ex: asking a landlord to feed, walk or clean up after an assistance animal).
  • Assistance animals are not subject to the same pet restrictions such as breed, size and number. They are also not required to be registered as service animals, or wear a special tag or vest identifying them as service animals. 
  • A housing provider may not require a tenant or applicant to pay a fee or a security deposit or to buy insurance for the animal as a condition of allowing the person to keep an assistance animal. A housing provider can charge a tenant for repairing any damages that the assistance animal causes to the unit or common areas. 
  • If you are seeking a reasonable accommodation for an assistance animal in housing, a landlord or homeowners association may ask for documentation that you have a disability and that you have a disability-related need for the animal. The verification letter may be obtained from a clinician (physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, social worker, etc.) familiar with your disability and need for the assistance animal. The housing provider should not request documentation if your disability and your disability-related need for the service or support animal are apparent.

What if my housing has changed and I cannot keep my pet?

  • Pets are often surrendered to a shelter because a pet’s guardian is unaware of other options or resources:
    • Rehoming provides guardians the opportunity to connect with community members looking to adopt and determine a good match for their pet. Platforms such as Get Your Pet and Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet  allow guardians to create a pet profile for potential adopters to see. Additional rehoming tips and resources can be found here.
    • Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center offers a variety of programs to support pet owners facing financial hardship, including a  pet food assistance program, funding for veterinary care and “Ask a Trainer”. 
  • If you have exhausted all other options, we ask that you please make a relinquishment appointment

USEFUL HOUSING LINKS