Prevention Starts Before Surrender
Animal shelters and rescues are often the first place families turn when housing challenges put their pets at risk. From eviction notices to pet restrictions, many owner surrenders are preventable with the right resources and support. HEART partners with animal welfare organizations to address housing barriers before families are forced to make impossible decisions.
Housing Issues Are Animal Welfare Issues
Pet-related housing barriers are a growing driver of owner surrenders across the country. Families facing eviction, pet fees, breed restrictions, or housing discrimination often seek help from shelters before they lose their pets.
When organizations address these housing challenges upstream, they can:
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Reduce unnecessary owner surrenders
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Lower shelter intake
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Keep pets with their families
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Create stronger community outcomes
How HEART Partners With Shelters & Animal Welfare Organizations
Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART) helps animal welfare organizations respond with practical prevention strategies and support when families are facing a housing crisis.
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​HEART aims to ensure no family has to choose between a roof over their head and the pet that they love.
Staff Trainings
Intake Prevention Pathways
Referral Tools for Pet Owners
Legal Advice for Complex Housing Cases
Train intake teams, community outreach staff, and field services professionals on pet-inclusive housing solutions.
Strengthen your intake process by creating clear referral pathways to legal and housing support services.
Connect pet owners with legal resources, housing support, and prevention services.
Get support for complex cases involving housing instability, pet restrictions, and tenant issues.
Why Organizations Partner with HEART
HEART is the only non-profit public interest law firm focused specifically on keeping people and pets housed.
We bring legal expertise, prevention strategies, and community-centered solutions that help organizations move upstream and reduce unnecessary surrender.
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Together, we can keep more families together.