Honoring Tula and the Lifeline of Pet-Inclusive Housing

The recent passing of my beloved dog, Tula, has left that throat-tightening void that anyone who has lost a pet knows all too well. Tula was my confidante, my solace, and my companion during some of the roughest periods of my life.

Amidst the chaos of COVID-19, navigating my cancer diagnosis, and relocating across states for work, Tula - perhaps unbeknownst to her - remained my unwavering support. What made our bond possible was pet-inclusive housing, a lifeline that allowed us to stay together during all the ups and downs.

Throughout my experience with cancer in the middle of the pandemic, Tula intuitively offered comfort during my moments of distress. Her affection and excitement for life were integral to my healing process. Without Tula, I worry I would have lacked much of the drive to go forward.

After cancer, Tula and I had another life change - a move across states, to a place where we did not know anyone and where everything would be new. But once again, thanks to pet-inclusive housing policies, we seamlessly transitioned to a new apartment and our bond remained unbroken.?

Reflecting on life’s pivotal moments over the last four years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the privilege of having access to pet-inclusive housing. The ability to keep Tula with me during the toughest times was invaluable to my mental and emotional well-being.?

From our teeny-tiny mid-century apartment in LA to our spacious modern unit in Santa Fe, Tula and I had been welcomed by rental housing owners and operators who, by doing away with breed and size restrictions and not charging unreasonable fees (if at all), seemed to understand the importance of keeping people and pets together.

But as grateful as I am for the privilege of pet-inclusive housing, I am consistently disheartened that it is a privilege rather than a given. The importance of pet-inclusive housing goes beyond convenience; it is foundational to human and animal well-being. Yet every day across this country, pet owners are forced to break their bonds with their pets because they cannot find affordable and pet-inclusive housing. To those pet owners who have experienced the loss of a pet for any reason, our hearts go out to you, and we remain committed to our work to keep pets and people together.

To those rental housing operators who have moved beyond being just pet-friendly and are truly pet-inclusive, thank you for your commitment to your residents’ well-being and paving the way for healthier, happier communities. We would love to hear your stories and celebrate you.

To those rental housing operators who are interested in becoming pet-inclusive, the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI) team is ready to help with resources and a new Pet-Inclusive Scorecard launching in early 2024 to help you see where you are on our pet-inclusive journey.??

In memory of Tula, my precious pet, I carry forward a profound appreciation for the significance of pet-inclusive housing and continue to work with my PIHI colleagues to advocate for the universal adoption of inclusive and compassionate housing policies. Every pet owner deserves the privilege I was fortunate to have - a home where our animal companions are not just accepted but embraced.

Sara Maria Muriello is Senior Program Manager for PIHI. An LA native, Sara currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.