Congressman Crow Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Keep People and Their Pets Together
AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) introduced the Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act of 2025 (PUPP Act), bipartisan legislation that would provide funding for homeless shelters to retrofit their facilities to better accommodate pets, so that people don’t have to choose between having a roof over their head and staying with their pet.
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), and Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this legislation.
The rate of homeless families and veterans continues to rise, with an estimated 70,000 pet-owning Americans experiencing homelessness. Unfortunately, many people find that emergency housing facilities do not have the proper facilities to accommodate their pets. As a result, people often face an impossible choice: seek a roof over their heads or stay with their pet.
“Pets are family. No one should be forced to choose between having a roof over their head and keeping their pet,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why today I’m introducing a bipartisan bill to better support homeless shelters so that people don’t have to part ways with their beloved pet.”
“I’ve sat with shelter staff, service providers, and advocates in our community and heard the same message time and again: no one should have to give up a beloved pet just to find a safe place to stay. Yet for too many, that’s the reality when shelters aren’t equipped to house animals. The PUPP Act invests directly in our shelters to change that—ensuring people and pets can stay together, removing a major barrier to housing, and helping our neighbors rebuild their lives with dignity and the comfort of their trusted companion by their side,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.
“So many of us know how quickly our dogs become part of our families – they bring us emotional support, companionship, and a sense of purpose,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “No one should be forced to choose between abandoning their pet or putting a roof over their head. Unfortunately, that’s the heartbreaking reality that many families and veterans who are experiencing homelessness face. The PUPP Act will help ensure emergency shelters don’t force that decision by accommodating people with their pets. I’m proud to introduce this bill to help more people get the support they need without leaving their beloved animals behind.”
“New York is facing a real housing affordability crisis. For folks experiencing homelessness, their pet may be their only source of comfort and stability, yet too often, animal shelters can’t accommodate the influx. The PUPP Act helps local governments and nonprofits provide safe housing options without forcing people to choose between a roof over their head and the animal they love. I’m proud to back this effort while continuing to expand access to housing and treating people and their pets with the dignity they deserve,” said Congressman Lawler.
“Our pets are beloved members of our family and deserve a proper home. I stand with Representative Crow in working to ensure that families stay together and that includes making sure care facilities and shelters have the necessary updates to accommodate people and their four-legged family members,” said Governor Polis.
“Pets play a pivotal role in the lives of their human caregivers, regardless of their income level or housing situation, and unhoused people with pets will often refuse assistance if it means giving up their pet, further exacerbating the homelessness crisis,” said Susan Riggs, senior director of housing policy for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “No one should have to choose between keeping their pets or securing stable housing for themselves and the PUPP Act would ensure they don’t have to by providing homeless shelters with grants to help accommodate pets and fund pet-related costs like basic veterinary services. We thank Representatives Crow, Lawler, Fitzpatrick, and Pettersen for introducing the PUPP Act, which will remove barriers to emergency housing and ensure unhoused people can access shelter with their pets.”
“Through our work with homeless services organizations nationwide, My Dog Is My Home has seen firsthand that providers understand how critical it is to preserve the human–animal bond—especially for homeless veterans. The Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act creates a clear path for communities to adapt their systems so people and animals can remain together in shelter and housing in time of crisis, which is when people need their animals the most,” said Christine Kim, Founder and Executive Director of My Dog Is My Home. “We are grateful to Representatives Crow, Petersen, Fitzpatrick, and Lawler for their leadership in ensuring homeless veterans never have to choose between a safe place to sleep and their best friend.”
The PUPP Act permits the Department of Agriculture to award grants for interim and permanent housing that accommodates individuals and families experiencing homelessness and who have pets. Entities eligible for the grant include local governments, nonprofits, and those that house or shelter homeless individuals. Grant recipients must make available supportive services and basic veterinary care. The bill specifically authorizes $5 million annually for 4 years.
This legislation is supported by key advocacy groups, including: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Welfare Institute, Annie and Millie's Place, Best Friends Animal Society, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Colorado Voters for Animals, Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART), Humane World Action Fund, Michelson Center for Public Policy, My Dog Is My Home, The Street Dog Coalition, Urban Resource Institute, Voters For Animal Rights, and more than 60 others.
Throughout his time in Congress, Congressman Crow has been a consistent champion for pets and pet owners. He previously introduced the Providing for Unhoused People with Pets Act of 2023 in the 118th Congress. He also led the Pets Belong with Families Act, which would prohibit broad and sweeping restrictions on dogs based on breed or size in public housing.
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