The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has continuously failed to control the abusive puppy mill industry in Ohio and to hold the abusers accountable. Commercial dog breeders disregard the health of their dogs to keep costs low and maximize their profits. According to Humane World for Animals, most puppies sold in pet stores and through online retailers are born in puppy mills. Additionally, the 2025 Horrible Hundred report ranks Ohio as the second worst state in the nation regarding the care of dogs in puppy mills, with 16 of the nation's worst puppy mills located in our state.

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is now accepting applications for the FY 2025 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence Program. This competitive grant offers up to $500,000 per award to help create or expand pet-friendly housing for survivors of domestic violence.

When survivors of domestic violence or individuals experiencing homelessness are forced to flee unsafe or unstable conditions, they often face a heartbreaking choice: seek safety, or stay with their beloved pets. For many, that bond is too strong to break — and unfortunately, many shelters aren't equipped to house animals alongside people. But that’s changing, thanks to lifesaving initiatives like RedRover’s Safe Housing program.

In a powerful episode of The Animal Welfare Junction podcast, host Dr. Michelle Gonzalez takes listeners inside the 10th Anniversary celebration of My Dog is My Home and Found House Interfaith Housing Network—two organizations leading the way in supporting people experiencing homelessness with their beloved pets.

The clock is ticking—and Ohio families, pets, and communities are depending on us to act.

Right now, Ohio Senate leaders are making critical decisions about what to include in the state budget. One dangerous amendment added by the House to HB 96, the biennial state budget bill, would gut the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF)—a vital source of state funding for affordable housing, emergency home repair, and homelessness prevention across all 88 counties.

The Loyalty Inn, a hotel on the city’s Southeast Side, was abruptly shuttered after years of safety violations, crime concerns, and city scrutiny. For the group of homeless individuals who had been temporarily housed there with support from the Community Shelter Board, it was the second time in just a few months they were uprooted—first from encampments the city cleared in December, and now from the only shelter that allowed them to stay with their animals.

In today’s rapidly changing world, innovative programs that support both vulnerable populations and their furry companions are more important than ever. That's why we're excited to share an opportunity from RedRover—a chance for U.S. homeless shelters and domestic violence organizations to secure funding for pet-friendly initiatives. With applications due on Mar 1, 2025, this grant program could be the catalyst your organization needs to expand services and enrich lives.

A new poll shows that Ohio voters overwhelmingly agree: housing affordability is a serious issue, and it's time for elected leaders to take action.

Join us at Camp Maddie: Pet-Inclusive Housing Edition! This free virtual half-day event is focused on keeping pets and people together through pet-inclusive housing solutions.