October 8, 2020 by Abby Volin and Sarah Rosenberg

Audience: Executive Leadership, Public, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers

Securing pet-friendly housing was already a challenge, even in the "before times," but the situation has reached nothing short of dire with the one-two punch delivered by the pandemic and a teetering national economy. Amidst the confluence of a debilitating unemployment rate, an economy on pause, and a communicable virus that just won't abate, the prospect of losing one's housing invokes myriad disastrous potential scenarios. As more renters find themselves on the brink of eviction, the animal welfare field is girding for a deluge of surrenders. But hang on! There's still more that can be done to keep people with pets together safely in their homes.

In this webcast, we will:

  • Demystify the eviction process as it was originally designed
  • Explain the eviction issues that arise as a unique impact of the current housing and legal landscape
  • Provide some tools to stem the flow of pet surrenders in your community
  • Propose next steps

Recorded on Thursday, October 8, this 60-minute presentation is hosted by legal policy experts Abby Volin and Sarah Rosenberg of Opening Doors.

Watch the Webcast on Maddie's® University


This webcast is one hour and will be recorded. This webcast has been pre-approved for 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.

Bio photo of Abby Volin, smiling in a white coat

About Abby Volin, President, Opening Doors, PLLC

Abby Volin is President of Opening Doors, a firm that helps property managers develop smarter and safer pet policies, tenants with their pet-related housing issues, and assists animal welfare organizations expand housing options for pet owners. She is a nationally recognized expert on animal accommodation law and frequently holds lectures for landlords, attorneys and healthcare providers. Prior to starting Opening Doors, Abby worked as a policy specialist at The Humane Society of the United States and began her career as a litigator. Abby earned her JD from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and BA from Tufts University. She has volunteered with numerous shelters and rescue groups throughout the years and fostered countless pets (much to the chagrin of the resident cats).


About Sarah Rosenberg, Community Engagement consultant, Opening Doors, PLLC

Sarah Rosenberg is the Community Engagement consultant for Opening Doors. As a segue from the practice of corporate law, Sarah combined her legal background with her ethos for building community into a rewarding, 18-year career operating a mixed-use, multi-family housing property situated in one of Atlanta's most sought-after neighborhoods. With a vision of nurturing harmonious living and working environments, she implemented policies that served the best interests of both housing providers and tenants. Sarah holds a JD from Emory University School of Law and a BA from the University of Michigan