HABRI launches housing coalition after spring policy forum

HABRI used its 2026 Spring Policy Forum to put pet-inclusive housing at the center of a broader pet retention and access-to-care conversation, then capped the event by launching the new Pets and Families Housing Coalition. The May 5 forum in Washington, D.C., brought together leaders from pet care, housing, animal welfare, policy, and research to discuss barriers such as breed, weight, and size restrictions, high pet rents and deposits, disability-related housing protections, and leasing transparency. Founding coalition partners include HABRI, the American Pet Products Association, Independence Pet Holdings, Mars, and the Michelson Center for Public Policy. (uk.advfn.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the housing issue is increasingly a clinical and continuity-of-care issue, not just a policy debate. HABRI and trade media coverage framed pet-inclusive housing as a factor in whether families can keep animals at all, which in turn affects surrender risk, preventive care adherence, and long-term veterinary relationships. HABRI has also been building a larger evidence base around the topic, including a 2026 special request for proposals on pet-inclusive rental housing research, suggesting this will remain an active advocacy and research priority. (dvm360.com)

What to watch: HABRI said it plans to publish a white paper from the forum in the coming weeks, which should clarify the coalition’s policy agenda and where veterinary stakeholders may be asked to engage. (uk.advfn.com)