Owning a pet is a joy, but rules and laws can sometimes be tricky for people to live with their dogs or cats. In 2026, new laws in the U.S. are changing the way people can have pets at home, especially dogs, and making it fairer for both animals and their owners. These changes affect renting, animal welfare, and even what surgeries are allowed for cats. So, let’s find out more about how these laws can affect your dogs and cats at home, shall we?
Dogs in Washington D.C.
One of the most important laws is Roscoe’s Law, which will be implemented in October 2026 in Washington D.C. This law protects renters who have dogs (and other pets) and makes living with them easier. Let’s see what the law says:
- Refunds: If your dog does not damage the apartment, you get your deposit back.
- No breed or size bans: Landlords cannot stop you from renting a home just because your dog is large or a certain breed.
- Pet rent limits: If your landlord charges extra for your dog, the maximum can only be 1% of your monthly rent.
- Pet security deposits: Landlords can charge a deposit for your pet, but it can’t be more than 15% of your rent.
What about your cats?
Cats also have laws affecting them and one of those laws also reflects how we care for animals in general. In California, a new law bans declawing cats unless it is medically necessary because it is a surgery where the first joint of a cat’s paw is removed, which is very painful. I mea, can you imagine if someone cut off your fingertips? As you may think, animal right groups are very happy about this law because:
- Declawing is cruel and painful for cats.
- The law shows California does not support unnecessary harm to pets.
- Declawing can cause lifelong problems like chronic pain, arthritis, infections, and behavioral changes.
And what do vets think about this? Let’s see:
- Most vets (over 80%) already choose not to declaw cats.
- They think declawing should be decided with the owner on a case-by-case basis.
- Sometimes it may be needed to prevent a cat from being given up if scratching is dangerous or destructive.
California is now the seventh state to restrict declawing. Other states with similar laws include New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, and Rhode Island.
How many dogs can you have at home?
Did you know there are rules about the number of adult dogs you can have at home? In places like The Dalles, Oregon, you can only have four adult dogs per home. But, why is there a limit of dogs? Because this rule aims to avoid overcrowding, make sure dogs are cared for properly, and protect their health and safety.
Importance of these laws
As we have mentioned, these laws are designed to protect pets and make it easier for owners to care for them.
For dogs, the rules mean you can rent a home without worrying about size restrictions, only pay a fair deposit, and keep your pets safe and happy.
For cats, laws like the declaw ban ensure their welfare and prevent unnecessary pain. Overall, these regulations help create a balance between pet owners’ rights and animal safety, keeping homes safer for pets and owners alike.
To sum up
You should remember that owning a pet means that you should know your rights, respect the rules, and always put your pet’s health and happiness first. Now, what do you think about these rules about pets? Do you think they are fair? We will see how people react once they are implemented in October.