Asheville's housing crisis for pets limits renters

ASHEVILLE – It's been nearly a month since Molly Olsen moved back home to take care of her sick mother and she still hasn't found a place to live.

Olsen, 24, said she has talked with more than 100 landlords and visited dozens of apartments. Nobody wants her because nobody wants her dog.

"Overall, it is just no pets," said Olsen, who has a 4-year-old pit bull named Prince. "Even if it is not specified on their website or advertising, it's no pets. And, if it's not 'no pets,' then it is cats and small dogs only."

Asheville may be known as a great city for dogs, but it's certainly not one for pet owners who rent, said Heather Hayes, spokeswoman for the Asheville Humane Society.

A lack of pet-friendly housing is the number one reason animals are being surrendered, she said. In the past year, 24 percent of the more than 1,700 dogs and cats relinquished at shelter came because of housing restrictions.

Landlords who do accept pets often limit the types of breeds allowed and the size of animals they will tolerate. Many also require steep pet ownership fees, making it hard for people with pets to find suitable housing.

One of the Humane Society's longest residents is a pit bull named Sheldon. The dog was brought in as a stray in November 2014. He was adopted once, but returned when the new owner's landlord wouldn't accept him because of his breed.

"Asheville Humane Society is currently placing nearly 90 percent of the animals who come into the Buncombe County Animal Shelter," Hayes said. "If this housing crisis trend continues, more and more animals will be coming to us each year, making this lifesaving work more challenging."

In an effort to get the community to rally behind dogs, especially those labeled as being more aggressive, the Humane Society is kicking off its Project Pit Bull Awareness and Action Campaign at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Deirdre Franklin, author of "Little Darling's Pinups for Pitbulls," will lead the discussion at the first community forum, titled "What is Breed Specific Legislation and Can It Keep Us Safe?"

The Humane Society hopes that the forum and ongoing campaign will help grow a compassionate, conscientious community that promotes responsible pet ownership and less breed discrimination.

Olsen got her pit bull, Prince, when he was just 4 weeks old. At the time, the puppy was so small, it still had to be bottle fed. Now he weighs more than 50 pounds.

"He's the absolute light of my life," said Olsen, who moved here from Sarasota, Florida. "There is no reason for me to stay if I can't have my dog. That's what it comes down to. I need to be with my mom, but my dog is literally just as important to me."

Olsen's mother has heart problems and lives in the Battery Park Apartments downtown. She isn't allowed to have extended guests or large animals.

Olsen is currently sharing a one-bedroom house with her friend. The situation isn't ideal. He works nights and when he gets home in the morning, she leaves for work.

"It's very temporary," said the Asheville High School graduate. "It's essentially just a place for my dog to stay. It's a tiny space; my stuff is still in storage."

"It's terrifying, really," Olsen continued. "It's as if someone were to say to you, 'You can't live here because of your kids.' Imagine not being able to find housing because of your kids. My dog is my kid to me. It's really heartbreaking."

Learn more

The public is invited to attend the Project Pit Bull Awareness and Action Campaign Kickoff Forum at 6:30 p.m. June 19. The event, hosted at the Asheville Humane Society, 19 Forever Friend Lane, will feature Deirdre Franklin, author of "Little Darling's Pinups for Pitbulls." Pizza and beer will be provided. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to events@ashevillehumane.org.

Asheville Humane Society's Safety Net Program actively works to help pet owners find suitable housing. For more information, visit www.ashevillehumane.org or call 828-761-2001.