Advocacy Center
In addition to supporting better protections for animals, we are also advocating for affordable, pet-friendly housing and vet care options for those who need them. Learn more about our policy priorities here.
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Our Policy Priorities
Pet-Friendly Housing
Finding a home shouldn’t mean giving up a beloved pet. Yet many renters face barriers like high pet fees, breed restrictions or limited availability of pet-friendly units. Combined, this can often lead to heartbreaking surrenders.
Unfortunately, these challenges are felt most acutely by lower income households. A recent study found that lower income communities and communities of color are more likely to pay disproportionately higher fees to keep pets in their homes. And a national study conducted by the ASPCA revealed that those who rent are more likely to need to rehome their pets for housing-related issues than for any other reason.
By promoting housing policies that welcome pets—and minimize additional costs to renters with pets—we help keep families together and reduce shelter intake.
Affordability in Pet Care
Caring for a pet is a lifelong commitment, but rising costs for veterinary care, food and insurance make it harder for families to provide essential care. When pet care becomes unaffordable, animals suffer and families are forced into impossible choices.
Research shows that at least one-third of pets in the U.S. do not see a veterinarian regularly, and one out of every four pet owners faces significant obstacles to obtaining veterinary care for their pets, such as finances, transportation or because they live in areas underserved by veterinarians.
By supporting policies that expand access to affordable veterinary services, we can help pets get the care they need and keep more pets with the people who love them.
Why It Matters
Both priorities—housing and vet care affordability—are about keeping pets with their people, avoiding unnecessary surrenders and strengthening the human-animal bond. When pets have secure homes and access to care, our entire community benefits. Seattle Humane is working with our partners and our elected officials to ensure policies that support these priorities.
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2025 Wins in Washington
HB 1201 is Passed by the Full Legislature, Protecting People and Pets During Emergencies
As part of our disaster preparedness strategy, and in conjunction with ASPCA, we advocated for HB 1201, a Washington state bill that ensures pet owners don’t have to choose between their safety and that of their animals during emergencies. This legislation requires local municipalities to provide emergency shelters that can accommodate people with companion animals during events like wildfires, earthquakes, or extreme weather. Companion animals are family, and many people hesitate to evacuate because they can’t leave them behind, sometimes risking their lives to rescue them. HB 1201 addresses this by creating “co-shelters” where families can stay together, improving safety and encouraging faster evacuations. We are happy to celebrate that this bill passed the full legislature and now goes to the Governor Ferguson’s desk to be signed into law. We are happy to celebrate that this bill passed the full legislature and was signed by the Governor and became law on July 27, 2025. Learn more about HB1201 here.
Strengthening Animal Cruelty Laws in Washington State!
HB 1046 Passes! Ensuring Protection for Life-Saving Rescues
Learn More!
You’re invited to explore in your own time some of the resources we’ve found informative as we’re identifying our advocacy priorities and where Seattle Humane can have a lasting impact.
Thank You Fur Fighters!
Seattle Humane was proud to host the annual legislative planning session for the Fur Fighters Caucus, a bipartisan group of WA state legislators committed to supporting animal welfare issues to our campus for their meeting. The Caucus, led by Rep. Amy Walen, was founded in 2021 to champion bills that protect animals in WA state. Caucus members were joined by local animal welfare advocates to review recent policy successes and discuss priority areas for the 2026 legislative session. We are grateful to be aligned with our many peer organizations in pursuing these aims as we find new ways to grow our impact together.