Mars Expanding Commitment to Keeping Families and Pets Together
At Mars, our work has been guided by a simple belief: a better world for pets creates a better world for people. Today, fulfilling that purpose means tackling one of the primary reasons pets end up in shelters: the lack of accessible, pet-inclusive housing.
We believe access to pet-friendly housing is crucial for families to stay together with their pets.
A Foundation of Real-World Action in the U.S.
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households (Opens a new window)now own a pet, yet only 40% of pet owners believe their cities are truly pet-friendly. Increasingly, pet-friendly communities are part of what makes cities more livable and resilient.
Through our BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, we’ve worked to close that gap. Since 2017, we’ve invested more than $2 million in grants, helping nearly 200 cities become more pet-inclusive.
This commitment extends beyond city planning. Since last 17 years, we’ve helped thousands of pets find homes in the U.S. with supporting more than 1500 adoptions in 21 cities in 2025 alone. In times of crisis, we’ve donated more than 55 million pounds of food since 2011 to support pets and families impacted by natural disasters, housing instability and other emergencies.
We know keeping pets out of shelters requires local, community-based solutions. That’s why we invest in partnerships designed to keep pets and families together:
- Los Angeles, California : Partnering with C40 to help transform Avalon Boulevard neighborhood into a greener, more walkable, pet-friendly corridor.
- Nashville, Tennessee (Opens a new window): Partnering with Nashville Yards to integrate pet-friendly infrastructure into a 19-acre mixed-use development.
- Baltimore, Maryland (Opens a new window): Funding a “Return to Home” coordinator to reunite lost pets with families faster.
- Montclair, New Jersey (Opens a new window): Reducing adoption and care barriers for seniors.
- Fort Wayne, Indiana (Opens a new window): Supporting programs that help prevent pet relinquishment during difficult times.
- Phoenix, Arizona (Opens a new window): Backing outreach programs that deliver veterinary care and essential services to unhoused pet owners.
Scaling Impact Through the Pets & Families Housing Coalition
While these local programs change lives, creating a world where pets and people can always stay together requires systemic solutions. That is why Mars is proud to announce our role as a founding partner of The Pets & Families Housing Coalition (Opens a new window).
Formed alongside the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Independence Pet Holdings (IPH), and the Michelson Center for Public Policy, this coalition is dedicated to expanding access to more pet-inclusive housing across the U.S., so more families can keep the pets they love without facing significant barriers.
Our shared ambition is to keep families whole and pets out of shelters by focusing on three strategic areas:
- Research-Driven Insights: Using data to demonstrate the value and community benefits of welcoming pets.
- Systemic Advocacy: Working with leaders across the housing industry to remove financial and operational barriers that too often make pet ownership feel inaccessible.
- Community-Based Programs: Continuing to design and support local initiatives that provide a safety net for pet parents when they need it most.
Looking Ahead
As the Pets & Families Housing Coalition continues to take shape, we are actively looking to expand our impact. We invite housing operators, community advocates, and leaders across the pet care sector to join us in this vital work.
When we remove barriers for pet parents, we keep families together—and strengthen communities for everyone.
