Allow Pets in Association-Run Housing
We are a non-profit public advocacy and educational organization dedicated to increasing acceptance of companion animals in condos and other types of association-run housing. We educate the public about the health benefits of having animal companions and also advocate for responsible pet ownership/guardianship. Our motto: “creating a win-win situation for both people & pets.”
About You
Section 1: You
First Name
Maida
Last Name
Genser
Website URL
Organization
Citizens for Pets in Condos Inc
Country
United States, FL
Section 2: Your Organization
Organization Name
Citizens for Pets in Condos Inc
Organization Website
Organization Phone
954 366-4555
Organization Address
PO Box 26071, Tamarac, FL 33320
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Organization Country
United States, FL
Your idea
Name Your Project
Allow Pets in Association-Run Housing
Country and state your work focuses on
United States, FL
Describe Your Idea
We are a non-profit public advocacy and educational organization dedicated to increasing acceptance of companion animals in condos and other types of association-run housing. We educate the public about the health benefits of having animal companions and also advocate for responsible pet ownership/guardianship. Our motto: “creating a win-win situation for both people & pets.”
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
There is no other organization dedicated specifically to helping people who live in association-run housing to be able to have companion animals like other U.S. citizens. We are not an animal shelter but we help create places to adopt homeless animals.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
No
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
We list our success stories at http://www.petsincondos.org/Successes.htm. We have built our e-mail list to over 1500 members. We have 629 members in our Facebook group. Over 500 people have viewed our PSA on YouTube. We are raising awareness, providing resources for people to make positive change in their communities as well as be able keep their animals.
Problem
Too many perfectly adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters and many more languish in cages, while their are people who want to adopt them. How is it possible, in a "free country" to not be allowed to have pets?
Actions
1) educate the public about the health benefits of having animal companions
2) educate people to be responsible pet owners/guardians
3) provide information on how to change rules in association-run communities
4) refer people to lawyers, disability and government agencies for people whose doctors letters prescribing assistive animals have been denied
Results
We have helped a lot of people, just with the information we provide on our web site. I often hear after the fact that someone has used the information and links on our site to be able to keep their animals or to get pet-friendly rules in their complexes.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
We would like funds to be represented at relevant conferences, like the AARP National Event and Expo, the Global Pet Expo, the No Kill Advocacy Center annual meeting. We would like to be able to make trips to lobby Florida legislators. We would like to put up billboards in south Florida and advertise in major pet media.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Our goals will eventually be met as younger people move down to Florida, because 63% of US households have at least one companion animal. It just may be too late for hundreds of thousands of seniors.
The only thing stopping us is lack of exposure.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
In what country?
United States, FL
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Citizens for Pets in Condos
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
People are referred to us by the Florida Ombudsman's office (part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation). We refer people to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or via their local fair housing assistance partners. Local Humane Societies refer people to us. We refer people to lawyers, agencies, government departments.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
1) get the word out
2) create a fund to help people pay for legal costs (Many people could keep their animals if they had good legal representation.)
3) increase out presence at national conferences and in Tallahassee
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
My husband and I moved to south Florida in 2004. We were originally told we could bring our two rescued cats. A few months after we moved in we got a letter saying we had to "dispose of" our cats.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I learned how few condos down here allowed pets, while 63% of US households have at least one companion animal.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
50 words or fewer
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