Building Pet-Inclusive Communities and Reducing ESA Requests
Zoom
Event Details
The rising number of ESA accommodation requests in recent years is tied to multiple factors: rising post-pandemic levels of anxiety and stress, the shifting view of pets as family, restrictive pet policies and rising pet fees. And while many rental housing options are "pet-friendly," more renters are now searching for "pet-inclusive" housing to accommodate their non-human family members. These two dynamics together make a compelling case for revisiting pet policies. This session will focus on data and resources to help you both better understand these dynamics and some common misconceptions, and develop a plan to impact ESA activity and pet-inclusiveness - in a way that is good for business!
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Presenters:
Judy Bellack is a 35-year veteran of the multifamily industry, holding various executive leadership positions with some of the foremost supplier companies. Judy has served both as Chair of NAA’s National Suppliers Council and the NMHC’s Supplier-Partner Alliance, and is an experienced speaker at industry conferences such as AIM, Apartmentalize and NMHC OpTech. She currently operates a consulting practice advising companies in the multifamily space. Judy is also Industry Principal for Michelson Found Animals Foundation, helping to advance the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative.
Ross Barker is the senior director of the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative of Michelson Found Animals Foundation. Ross focuses on creating more rental housing opportunities for families that include pets by demonstrating the benefits of pet-inclusive housing to operators, residents and communities. Prior to joining MFA, Ross led leadership and innovation teams for Banfield Pet Hospital and Kinship, both part of the MARS Petcare organization. He serves on the board of CATalyst Council, which works to enable the lifelong health and welfare of companion cats, and holds master's degrees in business and public policy.