Life’s unexpected challenges can be especially daunting for pet owners, prompting the Animal Humane Society’s Temporary Pet Housing Program to offer crucial support in keeping beloved pets with their owners during trying times.
Rachel, a Hennepin County resident, experienced firsthand the emotional bond with her pets and the dilemma posed by life’s curveballs. Her pets, she emphasizes, are not just animals but cherished family members that provide companionship and alleviate loneliness.
Facing health issues and housing uncertainty, Rachel grappled with the possibility of parting with her pets. However, her caseworker, Jamie Luker, discovered the Animal Humane Society’s Temporary Pet Housing Program. This program provides up to 60 days of free housing and veterinary care, including sterilizations and vaccines, allowing pet owners to navigate short-term crises without losing their furry companions. Pets are either placed in foster homes or stay in the shelter, with owners receiving regular updates on their well-being.
“We do think providing those updates has been really helpful for maintaining that bond,” notes AHS Community Outreach Manager Tabitha Ewart.
With an 86% reunification rate, the program is viewed as a surrender prevention initiative. By offering a lifeline during short-term crises, the goal is to enable pet owners to overcome challenges and keep their animals.
“For anyone struggling with mental illness, it’s so important to have pets to have something to look forward in your day, to have a sense of purpose, someone to care for,” emphasizes Luker.
For Rachel, the Temporary Pet Housing Program became a lifeline, ensuring that her pets remained part of her family despite the challenges she faced. “I think the main thing was knowing they were still my pets and knowing that I’d have my family back,” she said.
