Pet temporary housing program helps people in crisis keep pets

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN — Life can throw you curveballs, and if you have pets, it can present additional challenges. That’s one reason why Humane Society’s programs aim to put pets together with people who love them.

Rachel, a Hennepin County resident, knows this firsthand. Pets mean the world to her.

“They’re my babies, and you know, I’m single, so they don’t leave me alone,” Rachel said.

But when life hit hard, she didn’t know where to turn.

“I had health problems and couldn’t pay to live where I was. I couldn’t find a place to live right away, so I stayed with them for a few months. I didn’t know what I was going to do. They’re like my family and I didn’t want to let them go,” she said.

Her caseworker, ARMHS mental health practitioner Jamie Rooker, then discovered the Humane Society’s temporary pet boarding program. Free housing and veterinary care, such as neutering and vaccinations, can be provided for up to 60 days while the pet owner weathers a short-term crisis. Ideally, your pet will be placed in a foster home or stay in a shelter. Owners will be provided with up-to-date information about them throughout their stay.

“We believe that providing these updates has been extremely helpful in maintaining ties,” said AHS Community Outreach Manager Tabitha Ewart.

So far, the program has an 86% return rate.

“We think of this as a complete anti-surrender program. If you’re just in a short-term crisis, we really want you to be able to keep your own animal. So we hope this program can really meet that need,” Ewart said.

“Having a pet is so important for people who suffer from mental illness because it means they have something to look forward to in their day, a sense of purpose, and someone to care for them,” Luker said.

For Rachel, the program was a lifeline.

“I think the biggest thing was knowing they were still my pets and knowing I could have my family back,” she said.

The Humane Society currently partners with seven different agencies and nonprofits to introduce people to the program. The program thrives through foster care programs. Click here to apply to become a foster parent.