A new bill has been introduced by NYC Councilman Tony Avella which states that once a landlord waives a no-pet clause, a rental tenant can replace pets who have died or are no longer living in the apartment with another pet of the same species.

For those of you who have been following this issue, Intro. No. 13 is similar to Intro. No. 189-A from last year, but its provisions now apply only to rental tenants. While, of course, we would prefer a bill to ban no-pet lease clauses, we consider this legislation to be an important first step in protecting the rights of people to share their lives with companion animals.

. . . . . . . . . . TAKE   ACTION   NOW! . . . . . . . . . .

CONTACT THE FOLLOWING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO URGE THEM TO SUPPORT AND SPONSOR INTRO. NO. 13

1. Your NYC City Council Member. Find out who your NYC Council member is by clicking www.nyccouncil.info and then clicking "Constituent Center" or by calling the League of Women Voters at 212-788-3541.

2. Speaker Christine Quinn. phone: 212-788-7210; quinn@council.nyc.ny.us.

3. Councilmember Erik Martin Dilan, Chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee. phone: 212-788-7284; emdilan@council.nyc.ny.us.

All councilmembers may also be written to at City Hall, New York, NY 10007

YOU MAY WANT TO MENTION THE FOLLOWING REASONS WHY ITS IMPORTANT THAT THEY SUPPORT INTRO. NO. 13:

• Tenants with well-behaved cats and dogs should not be forced to live in fear of having to choose between their homes and their pets.
   
• Numerous studies show the physical and emotional health benefits that we derive from having pets.
   
• It will open up homes for thousands of wonderful, adoptable cats and dogs who are needlessly killed at over burdened NYC-funded animal shelters each year.
   
• Federal law already grants tenants in public housing the right to have pets.
   

Thanks for your help!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Elinor Molbegott, Legal Counsel, Humane Society of New York, at elinorm328@aol.com.

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