The Joy of Pets in Every Home
The Joy of Pets
in Every Home
Why We Exist
Dr. Gary Michelson started the Found Animals Foundation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, leading to the microchipping and adoption of millions of animals. Committed to developing scalable solutions, he has identified the next opportunity to help: increasing the availability of truly pet-friendly rental housing.
It all starts with data. Michelson Found Animals Foundation and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) commissioned a much-needed survey to better understand the issues and find the right solutions.
It turns out restrictions bring significant complications to pet-friendly housing.
It turns out restrictions bring significant complications to pet-friendly housing.
Common restrictions can be significant hurdles for pet owners. For example, while 77% of pet-friendly rentals allow dogs, half of them have weight-limits averaging 45 pounds. A restriction that may be unnecessary given that almost half of rentals are single-family homes.
THE IMPACT BECOMES CLEAR WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE BIG NUMBERS INVOLVED
THE IMPACT BECOMES CLEAR WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT THE BIG NUMBERS INVOLVED
There are 38 million urban and suburban rental units in America. According to our survey…
Extrapolating these percentages to the national number of renters,
UP TO 8.75 MILLION PETS COULD FIND GOOD HOMES
IF RESTRICTIONS WERE EASED OVER TIME.
UP TO 8.75 MILLION PETS COULD FIND GOOD HOMES
IF RESTRICTIONS WERE EASED OVER TIME.
Here’s where the Michelson innovation kicks in – there’s clear financial opportunity for property owners and managers.
Here’s where the Michelson innovation kicks in – there’s clear financial opportunity for property owners and managers.
Our data found several benefits of pet-friendly policies that may help owner/operators gain a competitive edge. According to our survey,
This creates an opportunity for owner/operators, residents, and pets to win together… and it’s an opportunity we want to help the rental housing industry explore with relevant research, resources, and tools.
In the year ahead, we plan to reach out to the multi-family housing community to spark a dialogue about how we can use this new data for the benefit of all. Our survey found that 92% of all renters and 93% of all property managers agree that pets are important members of the family. We firmly believe our positive connection with animals will drive this conversation so that we can work together to find good homes for every pet.
PET-INCLUSIVE HOUSING INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP
PET-INCLUSIVE HOUSING INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Gary and Alya Michelson
Philanthropists
Dr. Gary Michelson is a board certified orthopedic spinal surgeon, inventor of more than 990 patents throughout the world, the founder and funder of three private foundations, as well as an inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist and humane advocate. He and his wife, Alya, oversee Michelson Philanthropies.
Steven Feldman
Executive Director
Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)
Steven Feldman is the Executive Director of Human Animal Bond Research Institute. HABRI’s mission is to advance, through science, education and advocacy, the vital role of the human-animal bond in the health and well-being of people, pets and communities.
Brett Yates
Chief Executive Officer
Michelson Found Animals Foundation.
Brett Yates is the Chief Executive Officer for Michelson Found Animals where he has helped launch and grow the new Return To Owner program, Leap Venture Studios, the Better Neighbor Project, and the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative. His goal is to confront the industry's broken legacy systems and create a world where everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to the joy of pets.
Our mission of saving pets, enriching lives is made possible by the generous
contributions of Dr. Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson
© 2021 MICHELSON FOUND ANIMALS FOUNDATION, INC.