I do hope they catch on and w/ population increase every year, I think they will and if they don't, the over-populated society will eventually be forced to accept it...that's in the far future after I'm long gone, of course.

We're a car society here.  

We are becoming a society of un checked permissives unfortunately.

It's a sad situation but you can't/shoudn't feel responsible for someone that has allowed themselves to get into this situation.EDIT: this is one more example of why government welfare is bad for society.

Aloha,Actually, the Local Humane Society likely has some documents you should utilize.

Should I end up with deadbeat tenants, I'm potentially stuck with them for years because NY laws protect non-contributing members of society. 

This is an excellent place to start - examining your assumptions, perceptions, biases and fear. 

A perception of a win-win is possible without sacrificing business objectives.What this looks like practically for us:Protect yourself- #1 (especially in California) make sure to insulate yourself, if things go south. 

I paid my debt to society...""

A few months in the property is well taken care of(knock on wood), and now my perception is the tenant likes to work on cars so has a couple extra around.