Resources to Keep Your Pet
You Have Options
From financial struggles to family changes and housing insecurity, there are so many circumstances that can make keeping a pet difficult. But we believe loving pet owners shouldn’t have to lose their furry family members. If you are struggling to care for your pet, we have a host of resources to help.
Surrender Prevention Programs
The Arizona Humane Society is dedicated to keeping pets in homes, and understands everyone can experience hardships. We’re here to help pets owners through our surrender prevention programs. Learn more about our Project Home Away From Home Program and Bridge the Gap Program below.
Project Home Away From Home Program
Are you experiencing a crisis situation and need a temporary care for your pet? We may be able to help. Our Project Home Away From Home Program, in partnership with PetSmart, provides 30-90 days of temporary foster care or boarding for the pets of families in a critical time of need.
- Temporary Care: Project Home Away From Home
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Project Home Away From Home is designed to assist with situations such as:
- Medical, behavioral health, or substance abuse recovery hospitalization.
- Domestic violence survivors seeking safety for their pets.
- Involuntary loss of housing.
- Active Duty deployments.
To be eligible for consideration into the program:
- Any and all pets must be healthy and behaviorally sound.
- We are only able to accept up to two pets per household. Exceptions are occasionally made.
- Owner must have a plan to reunite with their pet.
- Pets must be spayed/neutered either before entering the program or while they are in the program. AHS is able to provide this service.
- Vaccinations are required for entrance into the program as outlined below:
- Dogs: Bordatella, Distemper/Parvo (DA2PP) and Rabies.
- Cats: FVRCP and Rabies.
- NOTE: AHS is able to provide these vaccinations, but this may delay your entrance into the program.
What to expect after submission:
- Once your application is received, it will be reviewed within 72 hours and a member of our team will reach out to you to determine program eligibility. If a staff member of AHS contacts you, and you do not respond within 48 hours, your spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.
- NOTE: This is a capacity based program and due to the high demand, we are not always able to assist right away. When space allows, evaluations for pets and pet parents determined to be potential candidates will be scheduled, on average, up to one-three weeks out.
Expectations of families accepted into our program:
- Pet Parents are required to proactively communicate on a weekly basis and report progress made to goals set in order to reunite with pets.
- NOTE: If you or your pet do not meet these requirements, we do have other resources that may be able to help. Please see below for alternatives.
- Apply to Project Home Away From Home, or contact us for more information.
- Watch one of our Project Home Away From Home success stories!
Bridge The Gap Program
Our Bridge the Gap Program supports pet owners in crisis. With the help of our Community Support Coordinator, we can help pet parents navigate the abundant resources in Maricopa County and help keep beloved pets in their forever homes.
- Financial Assistance Program: Bridge The Gap
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Do any of the statements below apply to you?
- I’m struggling to pay for food for my pet.
- My pet is in need of veterinary services which I’m unsure if I can afford.
- I need short-term boarding for my pet due to an involuntary situation.
- I’m in need of necessary supplies for my pet.
- I cannot afford the pet deposit for my rental housing.
What to expect after submission:
- Once your application is received, it will be reviewed within 72 hours and a member of our team will reach out to you to determine program eligibility. If a staff member of AHS contacts you, and you do not respond within 48 hours, your spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.
- Apply to Bridge the Gap, or contact us for more information.
Keeping Pets with Their People
We’re on a mission to keep pets in loving homes. What do you need help with?
- Assistance with Rent, Utilities and Other Financial Hardships
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Please see our Eviction, Rent and Utility Assistance Resource Sheet.
- Assistance with Pet Food
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Please see our Pet Food Assistance Resource Sheet.
- Finding a Food Bank
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Please see our Arizona Food Banks Resource Sheet.
- Domestic Violence Resources
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Please see our Domestic Violence Resource Sheet.
- Additional Help for Pet Owners in Crisis
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For more assistance, please see these resources:
- http://211arizona.org/
- http://findhelpphx.org/
- Arizona Self Help https://arizonaselfhelp.org/
- Area Agency on Aging – 24 Hour Senior HELP Line 602.265.5347
- Arizona Pet Project 602.882.8627 Azpetproject.org
- Veterinary Services and Assistance
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Making veterinary care affordable is a core part of our mission. If you need financial assistance, we may be able to use grant funds to partially or fully cover the cost of your pet’s treatment. To apply for financial assistance, please complete our Margaret McAllister Brock Veterinary Clinic at South Mountain Campus financial assistance form or our Marge Wright Veterinary Clinic at Sunnyslope Campus financial assistance form. Please note that financial assistance is not guaranteed, and a deposit must be made to schedule your appointment.
For additional veterinary support from other organizations, please see our Veterinary Assistance Resource Sheet.
- Shelters and Temporary Housing for You and Your Pet
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Organizations that may be able to help are listed in our Shelters and Temporary Housing Resource Sheet.
You can also find a foster home for your pet on your own without applying to our program by visiting Pet Housing Help AZ.
- Finding Pet-friendly Housing
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Please see our guides on Conducting a Successful Housing Search and Renting Successfully with Pets.
- Dealing with Pet Allergies
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If someone in your home has been diagnosed with pet allergies, it may be possible to manage the symptoms without having to give up your pet. Here are a few tips to try:
- Minimize contact with the animal and create pet-free areas, such as the bedroom.
- Clean floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture regularly.
- Place a high efficiency particulate air purifier (HEPA) in the home, in addition to filters on vents.
- Enlist the help of non-allergy-suffering family members to care for the pets.
- Frequently wash clothing and bedding materials, including the pet’s bed.
- Frequently bathe and groom the family pet.
- Consider removing upholstered furniture and draperies; replace carpeting with hard flooring that won’t harbor hair and other allergens.
Other options may include immunotherapy (allergy shots) and/or steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays or medication. Consult with your physician and/or allergist to determine the best course of action for your family to live happily with your family pet.
- Pet Behavior Issues
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If you’re considering rehoming your pet due to behavior problems, we can help:
- We offer Dog Training Classes—including group classes and private consultations—to help your pup (of any age) learn proper manners
- We also offer cat behavior consultations to address litter box problems, biting, scratching, fear and more. Contact us for more information.
- And we have a host of training tips and behavior resources on our Pet Behavior Tips page!
- Cats and Pregnancy
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Many expectant mothers question if they should give up the family cat due to concerns about toxoplasmosis. Because it’s difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis to humans, a pregnant woman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat.
For more information, please see our Cats, Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis info sheet. We also recommend these articles:
- Pregnancy and toxoplasmosis (Humane Society of the United States)
- Defining toxoplasmosis, its symptoms and causes (Mayo Clinic)
Find Your Pet A New Home
We know that sometimes, keeping a pet just isn’t possible. If you need to find a new home for your pet, we’re here for you.