Antone's Nightclub
In the Doghouse
RECEIVED Fri., Jan. 31, 2025
Dear Editor,
I am writing in regards to your article, “City Council Begins the Year With Adoption of 10-Year Homelessness Plan” in your January 24 issue, Vol. 44. No. 21.
I appreciate the coverage of this important issue with thousands of unsheltered people in our area growing (as is the city), and there are many factors in play.
Let’s remind City Council that oftentimes homeless people have homeless dogs, and any sustainable plan to reduce homelessness must address housing of both. With landlords raising rents and animal fees (beyond a usual nominal fee for carpet cleaning, for example) to well over several hundred a month, people who cannot afford these fees (but do not want to surrender their pet), end up on the street. Owning a pet should be more affordable but landlords are indiscriminately charging unethically high fees forcing pet-owning renters out!
Austin is considered an animal-friendly city with shelters and neighborhoods doing their part to stop breeding and support adoption with spay/neuter clinics, pet food pantries, low-cost vaccinations, etc. for our furry friends. I regularly read on social media about extra rental fees for pets being too high and landlords taking advantage of another way to profit off the backs of hardworking people with pets.
We need to lift the barrier to pet ownership in rental units by forcing landlords to reduce these exorbitant fees, so that more people could stay housed and not forced out with their pets.
I am writing in regards to your article, “City Council Begins the Year With Adoption of 10-Year Homelessness Plan” in your January 24 issue, Vol. 44. No. 21.
I appreciate the coverage of this important issue with thousands of unsheltered people in our area growing (as is the city), and there are many factors in play.
Let’s remind City Council that oftentimes homeless people have homeless dogs, and any sustainable plan to reduce homelessness must address housing of both. With landlords raising rents and animal fees (beyond a usual nominal fee for carpet cleaning, for example) to well over several hundred a month, people who cannot afford these fees (but do not want to surrender their pet), end up on the street. Owning a pet should be more affordable but landlords are indiscriminately charging unethically high fees forcing pet-owning renters out!
Austin is considered an animal-friendly city with shelters and neighborhoods doing their part to stop breeding and support adoption with spay/neuter clinics, pet food pantries, low-cost vaccinations, etc. for our furry friends. I regularly read on social media about extra rental fees for pets being too high and landlords taking advantage of another way to profit off the backs of hardworking people with pets.
We need to lift the barrier to pet ownership in rental units by forcing landlords to reduce these exorbitant fees, so that more people could stay housed and not forced out with their pets.
Sincerely,
Julie Wasserman
Julie Wasserman