Keeping Them Home, Not Homeless

Gas prices are skyrocketing. Grocery bills are climbing. It’s true, Americans are having to tighten their belts. Some people have even been forced to give up their homes—and in some cases, give up their pets as well.

“Animal shelters are reporting increased numbers of pets being brought in because their families can no longer afford to care for them,” says Stephanie Shain of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

That’s why The HSUS has started a program to help people suffering hard times keep their pets. You can help keep pets and their families together too.

• Contact your local animal shelter or food bank to find out the needs in your community. Then organize a pet food drive. Deliver the donations you collect to the shelter or food bank. Ask that they distribute them to families struggling to feed their pets.

• Hold a fundraiser. You’ll find suggestions and step-by-step instructions on how to raise funds in the Mission: Humane Action Guide. It’s available free here.

• Locate a veterinarian willing to work with you. Arrange to have funds you collect be used to help families pay for vaccinations, spay/neuter operations, and other veterinary care.

• Create a poster or brochure giving pet caregivers tips on how to reduce the cost of pet care and how to keep their pets at home with them. 

• Tell folks that if they absolutely can no longer care for their pet, to please take him or her to a shelter.
  
  
  No one likes to think of leaving their pet at a shelter,” says Shain. “But it’s the safest last resort. Never abandon pets on the streets or leave a pet in an empty home. This is cruel and most likely illegal. In a shelter, your pet will be fed and cared for while staff try to find him or her a new home.”