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East County News ServiceJuly 16, 2025 (San Diego County) -- Local animal advocates are celebrating the change in a government meeting agenda for this Friday, July 18, that may have proposed a new policy that would limit families in public housing to a maximum of two pets.
On the group's social media account on Facebook, Animal Protection and Rescue League leaders shared that the San Diego Housing Commission was seeking this Friday to discuss possibly making a change in its pet ownership policy, which currently "is apparently 2 animals, only 1 of which can be a dog," the Facebook post said.
"So this new proposal would have allowed a second dog, but only if a family gets rid of their cat (or even a fish). They were pitching this as a 'reform!' "
In an email to supporters, APRL leaders wrote that the SDHC Board of Commissioners meeting had a revised agenda for this Friday, completely removing "consideration of its proposed new policy limiting families in public housing to only having two companion animals, in which they were even counting fish as one of those two animals!"
"Families should not have to choose between homelessness or keeping their companion animals," the email from APRL read.
APRL leadership is concerned that the item may appear at a later date.
In the Facebook comment, APRL leadership wrote, "The plan will come back because this was just one line in it, and it involved a lot of other things too. When it does, they need to implement a humane policy, not this nonsense. It's clear since they pulled this whole item rather than discuss it at Friday's meeting that they do not want to have to justify this cruel policy."
The SDHC is governed by the Housing Authority of the city of San Diego. The SDCHS is managed by President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Jones. The board's seven members are appointed by the mayor of San Diego and confirmed by the city council.
The group was created in 1979 and has earned a national reputation as a model public housing agency. SDHC creates programs that provide housing opportunities for those who are experiencing homelessness or have low incomes.
APRL is an animal rights organization based in San Diego focused on various areas of animal protection and welfare, including promoting humane eating practices, advocating for legislation and rescuing animals from various forms of exploitation.
Through its advocacy and legal action, APRL has played a role in protecting animals, including winning court cases related to animal housing situations.
Recently APRL was party to a settlement that was reached with San Diego Rescue Mission to ensure they provide reasonable accommodations for emotional support animals in their residential program, a settlement announced by the California Civil Rights Department.
Beyond legal advocacy, APRL also works to educate the public about animal issues and promotes humane treatment of animals, which can influence how animals are housed and cared for.
The SDHC agenda can be accessed here.
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