We Need Foster Heroes for Pets of Owners Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic!

The Arizona Humane Society is putting out a plea asking people to join their Foster Hero program as a temporary foster parent for pets whose owners have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, there is a need for large dog fosters and people who may not already have other pets or cats. AHS is hoping to place 6-7 pets immediately, including two best friend Chihuahuas and an 8-year-old Australian Shepherd mix.

In March and April, alone, applications for AHS’ Owned Animal Program have doubled and the number of pets included in those applications have tripled. Two of those pets are 11-year-old Kaiser and 3-year-old Rez, whose mom lost her home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, she has found housing she can move into in mid-June and has already set an appointment to be reunited with her pups that same day.

“Throughout the pandemic, people have asked how they can help others facing hardships,” said Jenna Diaz, AHS’ Resource Navigator. “We have been able to reunite 26 pets and their owners as part of AHS’ Owned Animal Program and I can tell you that in witnessing these reunions this is one of the most rewarding ways to give back.”

As part of AHS’ Foster Hero team, AHS will handle all logistics, provide all medical care as well as any food or supplies that may be needed. Sadly, Kaiser and Rez have already been waiting two weeks for a foster home and we’d love nothing more than to see them comfy in a home until they can see their mom again.

This plea is one aspect of AHS’ overall efforts involving the organization’s Pet Housing Help AZ Task Force, a task force comprised of seven of the leading animal welfare organizations in Arizona who are working together to help owners keep their beloved pets with them and out of shelters. It is anticipated that when the moratorium lifts, an estimated 22 percent to 39 percent of renters will be affected, along with approximately 5,000 pets in Maricopa County each month. This doubles animal shelters’ current monthly intake. As such, those efforts to keep pets and their people together include expanded owned animal foster programs, increased surrender prevention options, increased collaboration with human and health service agencies and a specialized website, www.pethousinghelpaz.org.

To learn more about the Pet Housing Help AZ Task Force, please visit www.pethousinghelpaz.org. For those interested in becoming a short-term Foster Hero to a pet impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, or Kaiser and Rez, the can do so by completing AHS’ online foster orientation. For any questions, please call 602.997.7585 ext. 2059.

Thank you for helping to share Kaiser and Rez’s story so we can find them, and those who come after them, temporary and safe housing amidst this ongoing pandemic!