How We Help Keep Pets in Homes

 We believe that pets thrive best when they can stay with their loving families. Our programs are designed to support pet owners and strengthen the bond they share with their companions.

 Retention Support

 Our Retention Support initiatives provide essential resources and assistance to help you keep your pet by your side. We offer a variety of services to address common challenges, aiming to prevent the difficult decision of surrendering a pet to the shelter. Our goal is to empower you with the tools and support you need to navigate any hurdles and continue providing a loving home for your animal.

 Owner Engagement

 Through Owner Engagement, we foster responsible pet ownership and community involvement. We achieve this through accessible educational programs and active community outreach. By offering guidance on pet care, behavior, and the benefits of responsible ownership, we aim to create a more informed and supportive environment for both pets and their people in our community.

Our Program Components: How We Help

Our comprehensive programs are designed to support pets and their families through various stages, focusing on keeping pets healthy, happy, and in their homes.

Pet Retention Services

We understand that unexpected challenges can arise, making it difficult to care for your pet. Our services are designed to provide direct assistance, helping you overcome these hurdles and keep your beloved companion:

• Essential Supplies & Care: We offer crucial support with pet food, necessary supplies, and access to vital medical services, including vaccinations, affordable spay/neuter surgeries, and basic veterinary care.

• Behavioral Support: Addressing behavioral issues can strengthen the bond with your pet. We provide access to free or low-cost training and expert consultations to help manage and resolve common pet behaviors.

• Temporary Foster Programs: For owners facing short-term crises such as hospitalization, eviction, or domestic violence situations, we offer temporary foster programs to ensure your pet is safe and cared for during difficult times.

Education & Engagement

Empowering pet owners with knowledge and fostering a responsible pet community are key to long-term pet welfare:

• Responsible Pet Ownership Resources: We provide valuable resources on proper pet care and mental and physical enrichment for pets.

• Volunteer & Community Ambassador Programs: We engage dedicated volunteers and community ambassadors who help us promote pet retention, responsible ownership, and overall animal welfare within our community.

Community Outreach & Support

Building strong community partnerships is vital to expanding our reach and impact:

• Affordable Veterinary Partnerships: We collaborate with local veterinarians to connect pet owners with affordable care options, ensuring pets receive the medical attention they need.

• Targeted Outreach & Education: Our team conducts outreach and provides essential education to underserved communities, addressing specific needs and barriers to pet care

Surrendering a Pet: Understanding Our Process

 We are committed to assisting Marion County residents through the pet surrender process with care and understanding. We strive to work with you in a reasonable timeframe, recognizing that this is a difficult decision.

Please Note Our Current Appointment Availability: Due to an extremely high volume of pet owners seeking support or needing to surrender a pet, our surrender appointments are currently scheduled 5-9 weeks in advance. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to assist every family.

Emergency Situations: For true emergency situations where a pet's immediate safety or well-being is at risk, please contact us directly. We will always prioritize and make arrangements to house pets in urgent need.

Our Collaborative Approach: Upon contacting us, our dedicated team will carefully review your individual situation to determine which of our available resources will be most beneficial. Our goal is always to explore alternatives that could potentially keep your pet in your home.

Program Requirements: To ensure the health and safety of all animals in our care and those we assist, all pets participating in our programs will be required to be sterilized (spayed/neutered) and brought up to date on vaccinations. We can conveniently schedule these essential services for your pet through our shelter veterinarians or with one of our trusted local partners.