Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus, has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at improving homeless shelter infrastructure to accommodate individuals and families with pets. The Providing for Unhoused People with Pets Act of 2025 (PUPP Act) was introduced alongside Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17).
The PUPP Act seeks to address the needs of more than 70,000 Americans experiencing homelessness who own pets. Many shelters are not equipped to house animals, forcing people in crisis to choose between shelter and keeping their companion animals.
“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 Fitzpatrick.
“Pets are family. No one should be forced to choose between having a roof over their head and keeping their pet,” said 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.”
“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 Lawler.
“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 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.”
National animal welfare leaders also voiced support for the legislation.
“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, Pettersen, Fitzpatrick, and Lawler for their leadership in ensuring homeless veterans never have to choose between a safe place to sleep and their best friend.”
If enacted into law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture would distribute $5 million annually over four years through grants given directly to local governments, nonprofits or shelter providers so facilities could retrofit spaces for pets as well as offer supportive services such as basic veterinary care.
The measure has received endorsements from more than 60 organizations including national groups like ASPCA; Animal Legal Defense Fund; Animal Welfare Institute; Best Friends Animal Society; 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.
Brian Fitzpatrick has served as U.S Representative for Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 after replacing Mike Fitzpatrick [source](https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about). He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 [source](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Fitzpatrick_(Pennsylvania)), currently resides in Levittown [source](https://ballotpedia.org/Brian_Fitzpatrick_(Pennsylvania)), graduated from La Salle University in 1996 before earning his JD from Pennsylvania State University [source](https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/about).
Fitzpatrick continues his work on bipartisan efforts related both to animal welfare legislation and policies supporting communities affected by homelessness.
