Local Governments Support Community-Centric Animal Sheltering and Its Connection to Mental Health Through the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Model

Adopted at the 93rd Annual Meeting in 2025

  • WHEREAS, companion animals are central to American households, with the American Veterinary Medical Association reporting that 59.8 million U.S. households have dogs and 42.2 million have cats; and

    WHEREAS, according to the ASPCA, 5.8 million dogs and cats enter U.S. animal shelters each year, and while 4.2 million shelter animals are adopted annually, an estimated 607,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2024 alone; and

    WHEREAS, community animal shelters serve as vital safety nets for pets and people, particularly in times of crisis, housing instability, or economic hardship; and

    WHEREAS, the mental health benefits of companion animals are well-documented, with the CDC and NIH noting that pets can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, and even improve cardiovascular health, making their presence in families and communities a matter of both emotional and public health; and

    WHEREAS, HASS provides shelters with access to benchmarking tools, data-driven strategies, educational resources, and implementation guides that promote systems-level transformation in the animal welfare sector; and

    WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the importance of best practices in animal sheltering, including
    • Pet Support Services, which are proactive community-based programs designed to help people keep their pets in times of need, and
    • Lost Pet Reunification Programs, which prioritize returning pets to their families quickly and efficiently, reducing shelter populations and improving outcomes; and
    WHEREAS, in 2023, a U.S. Conference of Mayors resolution stated, "Programs like Human Animal Support Services, LifeLine Animal Project, American Pets Alive and Austin Pets Alive transform animal services through innovative programs and support people and pets" and "The LifeLine Animal project in Atlanta, Georgia, and Austin Pets Alive in Austin, Texas provide a variety of services including spay/neuter programs, and financial support programs, which allow struggling owners to keep their pets" and "Innovative programs such as the Human Animal Support Services, American Pets Alive, Austin Pets Alive and LifeLine Animal Project allow victims of financial, violence and mental health to keep the animals that provide comfort and support during times of distress"; and

    WHEREAS, increasing access to pet support services also aligns with broader mental health initiatives by reducing the trauma of pet surrender, helping survivors of domestic violence retain emotional support animals, and reinforcing the stability of vulnerable households; and

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports the continued implementation and exploration of the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) model, and data-informed, community-centered sheltering practices that promote humane treatment, improve public health, and strengthen the human-animal bond in cities.
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