"I've had him since he was four months old," Messmer said. "He means my life. He's my world."
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In spite of his small size, it took a lot of work to get Snowflake to be allowed to move in into the apartment complex where Messmer rents.
"I needed to show a pet license for the city of Orange. I needed to show all his rabies vaccinations," she said. "Obviously, vaccinations up to date and then the pet fee."
Messmer's pet fee was $250 deposit, plus monthly pet rent.
She now supports a new California bill, AB 2216, that would prohibit hefty pet fees and blanket pet bans in rental units.
"I think that a lot of times people can't afford to live already as it is. It's so hard. The only thing is them being responsible for their pets. That's the only I would ask for," Messmer said.
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San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney said 70% of California renters have pets but only 30% of available rentals accept them.
"Landlords, including brand new buildings, can just say no dogs, no cats, period. And that is making our housing crisis a lot worse," Haney said.
His bill will require landlords to have a reasonable excuse not to allow pets in a rental property.
"Whether it's a health or a safety or some stated reason, not just a blanket pet ban that is excluding the majority of renters from an opportunity to rent there."
In addition, landlords would only be allowed to ask about pet ownership after a tenant's application has been approved.
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The California Apartment Association is concerned over the bill's impact on rental housing providers.
Debra Carlton, CAA's executive vice president of state government affairs said: "The bill does not allow for an increase in security deposits, potentially limiting landlords' ability to cover pet-related damages."
"We understand the need for pet-friendly housing but believe a more balanced approach is necessary. It's essential to find a middle ground that safeguards the investments of housing providers and ensures other tenants can enjoy a safe and peaceful environment," she said. "We have communicated to Assemblyman Haney that allowing owners to voluntarily accept pets if a higher security deposit is allowed would be a more reasonable approach."
However, Haney said landlords would have the right to require pet insurance to protect their properties.