The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has hired global law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for Capitol Hill assistance on legislative issues involving animals and housing.

ASPCAAccording to lobbying registration documents filed in July, the New York-based animal welfare organization has retained Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher for help in “advocating for public housing policies regarding pet-keeping and pet ownership that are fair, lawful, and serve the interests of current and prospective pet owners, the animals, and the community.”

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, the federal authority that manages the Housing Choice Voucher Program — commonly referred to as Section 8 — currently allows local public housing authorities to establish their own policies regarding pets. Because Section 8 units are privately owned and operated, landlords can currently set their own rules for pet occupancy, as long as their rules are in accordance with applicable state and local laws.

The ASPCA account is being managed by Michael Bopp, a former staff director and chief counsel to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Matthew Miller, former associate director of the Office of Management and Budget and staff director and chief counsel to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.