SAN ANTONIO – October 30, 2026 -- A new national coalition, The Pet Variable, will lobby to have the human-animal bond recognized as a social determinant of health (SDoH) in federal, state and local policy, citing research that up to 70% of American families include a pet.

The group launches with nine founding members across public health, veterinary medicine, housing, social services, research and policy. They are CARE (Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity), Annie & Millie's Place, RedRover, BestyBnB, My Dog is My Home, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine, JVR Strategies and The Pet Vet Connection.

Policy proposal links pet-related barriers to care, housing and safety

The launch coincides with a policy proposal from the non-profit AlignCare Health, "Recognizing the Human-Animal Bond as a Social Determinant of Health," published in the Journal of One Health Systems. The paper argues that barriers to keeping pets can block families from accessing healthcare, securing stable housing or protecting their personal safety.

The proposal cites the following findings:

• Health care: 61.5% of surveyed healthcare providers said they encounter a patient who delayed treatment over pet-related concerns at least once a month.
• Housing: 50% of landlords allow pets, but only 9% do so without size or species restrictions. In another study, 27% of respondents said the pet deposit itself was a barrier.
• Domestic violence: Between 18% and 48% of survivors delayed leaving an abusive situation out of concern for a pet, while only 18% of domestic violence shelters nationally accept pets.
• Economic benefit: Pet ownership generated an estimated $11.8 billion in U.S. healthcare cost savings in 2015 alone, through fewer doctor visits and reduced obesity.

The Journal of One Health Systems is a recently launched, peer-reviewed, open access title focused on health equity for families with pets.

Coalition targets Healthy People 2040 at the federal level

At the federal level, The Pet Variable will advocate for recognition of the human-animal bond as an SDoH within Healthy People 2040. It will also pursue opportunities in healthcare access, housing, healthy aging, behavioral health, survivor safety, homelessness and veterinary access.

State and local momentum already exists. Colorado enacted legislation earlier this year recognizing the bond as a social determinant of health. Policymakers in Massachusetts, Arizona and New York City have advanced measures to reduce barriers for pet families, particularly in housing.

Executive Director Anna Stout said delayed care, housing struggles and financial strain over pets are not separate problems: "They are interconnected."

Coalition debuts at One Health Systems Summit on October 31

The Pet Variable will be inaugurated in person at the 2026 One Health Systems Summit in San Antonio on October 31. Sessions will cover gaps in current laws, policies and funding, barriers to integrated human and veterinary care, and models for coordinating workforces, governance and funding across sectors.

Jamie Blackburn, Housing Policy Specialist at the MSPCA, said Massachusetts advocacy has shown that small local policy changes can improve outcomes for people and animals. BestyBnB Co-Founder Andy Bond said temporary pet care can determine whether someone is able to access support services.