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ADVOCACY
Passage of House Bill 175 (2022)
Utah Legislature Passes H.B. 175, the Protection of Animals Amendments, Making It Possible for Domestic Violence Victims To Include Pets in Domestic Violence Protective Orders
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On February 17, 2022, with a 69-2 vote in the House and a unanimous “yea” in the Senate, the Utah State Legislature passed H.B. 175, a bill that enables victims of domestic violence to include their pets in domestic violence protective orders. The Humane Society of Utah, Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, and Utah State Representative Angela Romero, the bill’s sponsor, combined efforts to emphasize the importance of this legislation.
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"We are thrilled the Utah Legislature understood the gravity of passing this bill, and what it means to pet families across our state,” said Kristina Pulsipher of Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering. “Survivors of domestic violence now have a path to leave their abuser, ensure their pets are protected, and take comfort in knowing there are now options in place to secure their safety. This statute will literally save lives.”
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Nearly 50% of domestic violence victims have delayed leaving their abusers out of fear of harm to their pets. Abusers often use violence or threats of violence against a victim’s pet as a psychological tool to manipulate and further control the victim.
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"With the passage of H.B. 175, Utah is now the 37th state to offer these life-changing and life-saving protections,” notes Rachel Heatley, Director of Advocacy and Investigations for the Humane Society of Utah. “Our state just took a giant step forward in protecting domestic violence survivors and their pets."
Passage of Senate Bill 116 (2024)
In partnership with Senator Jen Plumb, Ruff Haven ran an amendment to Senate Bill 116 to provide further protections for pets during an eviction.
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On February 23, 2024, with a unanimous “yea” in the Senate, the Utah State Legislature passed an amendment to S.B. 116. This amendment to the current eviction laws lays out a quick response process for landlords and the animal control authority during an eviction/lockout for the pet residing in the home. Notice of where a pet is being taken will be required, as well as required release to an owner who is present onsite.
We want to thank Salt Lake County Animal Services, Animal Care of Davis County, Sandy City Animal Services, and the Rental Housing Association of Utah for speaking in favor of this bill. It's not often that you can get all parties impacted on board and unanimously pass good legislation. And of course, a giant thanks to Senator Jen Plumb for seeing the need for this language and sponsoring the bill.
Local Advocacy
Ruff Haven is an active participant at the local and state advocacy levels.
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Some of our accomplishments:
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Became a member of Salt Lake County's Continuum of Care, The Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness, and successfully created a Pet Support Task Force.
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Successfully added questions regarding pet ownership and barriers to housing to the annual Point in Time Count throughout the state, required by HUD to track data regarding pet owners experiencing homelessness.
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Received one-time state appropriation funding in 2023 to provide shelter and services to families experiencing domestic violence, becoming the first animal welfare organization in the state of Utah to receive an appropriation.
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Received a three-year state appropriation grant in 2024 through the National Opioids Settlement to provide sheltering and preventive medical services to the pets of people with an opioid use disorder, allowing them to seek treatment.