Animal Welfare Professionals

For families facing housing insecurity, domestic violence, or financial hardship, "no pets allowed" policies can force the heartbreaking decision to part with their beloved companions. This challenge not only impacts these families but also places additional strain on animal well-being organizations through increased shelter intakes and resource demands. Co-sheltering is defined by My Dog Is My Home as the sheltering of people and animals together at the same emergency or temporary housing facility.

By embracing co-sheltering initiatives, pet-friendly housing solutions, and robust community partnerships, we can keep families (both human and animal) together. 

🏠 Is your organization involved in co-sheltering programs, pet-friendly housing initiatives, or collaborations with human services?

🏠 What challenges have you faced in supporting people and their pets?

🏠What successful strategies have you implemented to bridge the gap between human and animal services?

We invite you to share your experiences, insights, and questions. Your contributions on this thread not only foster collective growth but also enter you into our monthly $1,000 Cuddly prize pack giveaway in celebration of Maddie's Fund 30th Anniversary! Plus, every post on Maddie's Pet Forum counts toward an entry to win a $3,000 grant for your organization.

Upcoming Educational Opportunity: My Dog Is My Home Conference 2025

To further explore co-sheltering solutions, consider attending the My Dog Is My Home Conference 2025, a virtual event from March 25-27, 2025. This conference brings together advocates and practitioners across various fields to address the pressing questions: "Why pets?" and "Why now?" during times of relative scarcity. Together, we'll explore solutions for ending homelessness for people and their animals. Learn more and register here: https://www.mydogismyhome.org/2025-conference

Maddie's Fund is excited to offer a discount for those interested in attending! With the code MaddiesFriend - you’ll gain access to all 3 days of the My Dog Is My Home Conference 2025 for just $75!

We also invite you and your organization to explore how you can play a role in the Co-Sheltering Collaborative. The Collaborative uses a Collective Impact framework to create a peer-to-peer learning network where members exchange resources, share policies, network, and work collectively to move the needle on the sheltering of people and companion animals together.

Learn More: https://www.co-shelteringcollaborative.org/
Theory of Change: https://www.co-shelteringcollaborative.org/theory-of-change

#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#OrganizationalManagement
#PetSupportServices*

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

This topic is posted at a time when our small rural shelter is looking for more ways to collaborate with the governmental agencies overseeing our area.  Thank you for posting past co-sheltering webcasts - I think the  discussion of case examples to be most helpful.  

• Cross-Agency Collaborations: Case Example

 

• Cross-Agency Collaborations: Case Example

------------------------------
Candace Huskey
------------------------------

I hope you join us for our upcoming conference, Candace! There are more great sessions planned for 2025!

Conference website: https://www.mydogismyhome.org/2025-conference

------------------------------
Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 08:57 AM
From: Candace Huskey
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

This topic is posted at a time when our small rural shelter is looking for more ways to collaborate with the governmental agencies overseeing our area.  Thank you for posting past co-sheltering webcasts - I think the  discussion of case examples to be most helpful.  

• Cross-Agency Collaborations: Case Example

 

• Cross-Agency Collaborations: Case Example

------------------------------
Candace Huskey
------------------------------

We don't do co-sheltering, but we do work with a lot of Veteran's groups and will board their cats or dogs when needed if they go to the hospital or need time to get new housing together. We also have a pet food pantry where we give out pet supplies to those in need which helps a lot of people in the community.

------------------------------
Stefanie Schmidt
Animal Welfare Specialist
Hearts Alive Village
NV
------------------------------

These are great support programs, Stefanie. You're providing such a lifeline to your community. Has there been any discussion among the interim housing facilities you are in touch with about keeping people and pets together rather than depending on temporary boarding? I'm sure temporary boarding is a precious resource and it has its limits.

------------------------------
Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 03:16 PM
From: Stefanie Schmidt
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We don't do co-sheltering, but we do work with a lot of Veteran's groups and will board their cats or dogs when needed if they go to the hospital or need time to get new housing together. We also have a pet food pantry where we give out pet supplies to those in need which helps a lot of people in the community.

------------------------------
Stefanie Schmidt
Animal Welfare Specialist
Hearts Alive Village
NV
------------------------------

Where we operate, it is difficult to facilitate change with government partners; however, we are experiencing unpresented volumes of pet surrenders. We use a pet pantry to provide resources to those experiencing financial insecurity; however, we should consider partnerships with shelters as a different avenue to support those in need. Thank you for this reminder! 

------------------------------
Kate Detwiler
Grant Writer
Lovepaws
MD
------------------------------

We love the idea of keeping pets and people together, and helping our community.  Our challenges are lack of pet friendly rentals, lack of space for medium and large dogs- we have been at double our intended capacity for over a year now.  We try to "manage intake", however "strays" have increased and we have a contract with the county to take them.  It is disheartening to want to help, but not be able to because of lack of room and resources.  We have made some progress in recent years with our local politicians- but the bilk of our support still comes from private donations and our fundraising and grant efforts. 

------------------------------
Amber Dennison
Board of Directors, President
Humane Society of the Ohio Valley
Marietta, OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 07:02 PM
From: Kate Detwiler
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

Where we operate, it is difficult to facilitate change with government partners; however, we are experiencing unpresented volumes of pet surrenders. We use a pet pantry to provide resources to those experiencing financial insecurity; however, we should consider partnerships with shelters as a different avenue to support those in need. Thank you for this reminder! 

------------------------------
Kate Detwiler
Grant Writer
Lovepaws
MD
------------------------------

We are in the same position in our small town. The money alloted to the animal shelter barely covers the essentials. There is no money alloted to help those people that are struggling with their pets

In our area, pets are thought of by many people not as a family member but as just another thing that needs to be taken care of and often times a responsibility that families don't need. We get calls about dogs that people have just ditched daily as well as owner surrenders.....it's sad. We are trying to change the old views about pets and having ordinances to protect them but it's not easy and not many people want to listen or change!

------------------------------
Candice Tousignant
Treasurer
Southern paws animal rescue
KY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-25-2025 03:20 AM
From: amber dennison
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We love the idea of keeping pets and people together, and helping our community.  Our challenges are lack of pet friendly rentals, lack of space for medium and large dogs- we have been at double our intended capacity for over a year now.  We try to "manage intake", however "strays" have increased and we have a contract with the county to take them.  It is disheartening to want to help, but not be able to because of lack of room and resources.  We have made some progress in recent years with our local politicians- but the bilk of our support still comes from private donations and our fundraising and grant efforts. 

------------------------------
Amber Dennison
Board of Directors, President
Humane Society of the Ohio Valley
Marietta, OH
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 07:02 PM
From: Kate Detwiler
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

Where we operate, it is difficult to facilitate change with government partners; however, we are experiencing unpresented volumes of pet surrenders. We use a pet pantry to provide resources to those experiencing financial insecurity; however, we should consider partnerships with shelters as a different avenue to support those in need. Thank you for this reminder! 

------------------------------
Kate Detwiler
Grant Writer
Lovepaws
MD

This describes our small rural area exactly. We are also a non profit volunteer based organization just trying to make a difference 🐾

------------------------------
Jo Lunsford
Manager
Kay Turpin Animal Rescue Fund
KY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2025 04:17 AM
From: Candice Tousignant
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We are in the same position in our small town. The money alloted to the animal shelter barely covers the essentials. There is no money alloted to help those people that are struggling with their pets

In our area, pets are thought of by many people not as a family member but as just another thing that needs to be taken care of and often times a responsibility that families don't need. We get calls about dogs that people have just ditched daily as well as owner surrenders.....it's sad. We are trying to change the old views about pets and having ordinances to protect them but it's not easy and not many people want to listen or change!

------------------------------
Candice Tousignant
Treasurer
Southern paws animal rescue
KY
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 03-25-2025 03:20 AM
From: amber dennison
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We love the idea of keeping pets and people together, and helping our community.  Our challenges are lack of pet friendly rentals, lack of space for medium and large dogs- we have been at double our intended capacity for over a year now.  We try to "manage intake", however "strays" have increased and we have a contract with the county to take them.  It is disheartening to want to help, but not be able to because of lack of room and resources.  We have made some progress in recent years with our local politicians- but the bilk of our support still comes from private donations and our fundraising and grant efforts. 

------------------------------
Amber Dennison
Board of Directors, President
Humane Society of the Ohio Valley
Marietta, OH


Original Message:
Sent: 03-03-2025 07:02 PM
From: Kate Detwiler
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

Where we operate, it is difficult to facilitate change with government partners; however, we are experiencing unpresented volumes of pet surrenders. We use a pet pantry to provide resources to those experiencing financial insecurity; however, we should consider partnerships with shelters as a different avenue to support those in need. Thank you for this reminder! 

------------------------------
Kate Detwiler
Grant Writer
Lovepaws
MD

We as a foster based rescue have not done any co-sheltering. We have at times taken dogs into rescue from our local shelter. With the number of dogs we have now our foster homes are full. We have to find adoptive homes for the dogs we have in foster and recruit more fosters.

------------------------------
Janice Trzeciak
volunteer
Great Pyrenees Club of Western Pa
PA
------------------------------

Hi Janice. I often find that this is the case - foster programs with the intention of reuniting pets with their humans once the housing situation is stabilized end up keeping the animals for much longer than intended, creating a strain on all parties. The growing housing and homelessness issue definitely impacts the animal welfare community, and foster programs are wonderful but can only provide the intended service when there is an end to someone's homelessness in sight. 

------------------------------
Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-05-2025 06:57 AM
From: Janice Trzeciak
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We as a foster based rescue have not done any co-sheltering. We have at times taken dogs into rescue from our local shelter. With the number of dogs we have now our foster homes are full. We have to find adoptive homes for the dogs we have in foster and recruit more fosters.

------------------------------
Janice Trzeciak
volunteer
Great Pyrenees Club of Western Pa
PA
------------------------------

Our organization isn't directly involved in co-sheltering programs, initiatives for pet-friendly housing and we don't have direct collaborations with human services, but I think it would help our program be more well rounded as we are essentially a rescue that focuses on shelter prevention.

Recently we have been helping a homeless gentleman get medical care for his pup. Our entire community rallied together to help him get pet friendly housing and get back on his feet. It's a process but it's been wonderful to see our community come together to support them. I'd love to figure out the best way to have a program specifically for situations like this or situations where someone is trying to get away from an abusive relationship with their pets.

People giving up their pets because they can't find pet friendly housing has been a big part of our rehoming efforts, we try to find homes for these animals before they end up in the shelter, but frequently we don't have the time. I fear that it's going to become a more serious problem in the future as well. Sometimes we are able to coordinate a foster for temporary situations, but it's still a challenge and most of our organizations fosters are trained in medical cat care not necessarily for dogs and that is a frequent request.

We haven't explored this area enough so I'm looking forward to the 2025 conference, maybe we can find new ways to help people and their pets and help prevent more animals from going to the shelter and being separated from their people. It's heartbreaking all around and I'd love to learn to provide more comprehensive services.

------------------------------
Amanda Fleet
Board Member
Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter
MD
------------------------------

We're looking forward to having you join My Dog Is My Home at the conference in just a few weeks, Amanda. I think you'll walk away from the conference with loads of partnership and strategy ideas. If you have a particular interest in supporting domestic violence sheltering organizations, I'd also recommend that you take a look at the MN Pet Coalition that has formed to support Women's Advocates in St. Paul, MN. They have a great model for partnership! You can also watch a short presentation by some of the founders of the Coalition did for the Co-Sheltering Collaborative here: https://youtu.be/sEA2ZpARrSg     

------------------------------
Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-05-2025 08:03 AM
From: Amanda Fleet
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

Our organization isn't directly involved in co-sheltering programs, initiatives for pet-friendly housing and we don't have direct collaborations with human services, but I think it would help our program be more well rounded as we are essentially a rescue that focuses on shelter prevention.

Recently we have been helping a homeless gentleman get medical care for his pup. Our entire community rallied together to help him get pet friendly housing and get back on his feet. It's a process but it's been wonderful to see our community come together to support them. I'd love to figure out the best way to have a program specifically for situations like this or situations where someone is trying to get away from an abusive relationship with their pets.

People giving up their pets because they can't find pet friendly housing has been a big part of our rehoming efforts, we try to find homes for these animals before they end up in the shelter, but frequently we don't have the time. I fear that it's going to become a more serious problem in the future as well. Sometimes we are able to coordinate a foster for temporary situations, but it's still a challenge and most of our organizations fosters are trained in medical cat care not necessarily for dogs and that is a frequent request.

We haven't explored this area enough so I'm looking forward to the 2025 conference, maybe we can find new ways to help people and their pets and help prevent more animals from going to the shelter and being separated from their people. It's heartbreaking all around and I'd love to learn to provide more comprehensive services.

------------------------------
Amanda Fleet
Board Member
Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter
MD
------------------------------

San Mateo County CA has greatly expanded their housing for unhoused individuals to more than 1000 beds per night and almost all are pet friendly! Our division of the county offers free basic veterinary care for these pets. We have been growing the program by offering some additional vet care with local clinics, but our funds for that are running out and we are searching for new grants.

We are also starting a small pet food bank to help our clients get consistent protiens for their pets and to help the guardians who often feed their pets food that was meant for them. (Check out the book My Dog Always Eats First).

The one area we are going to be working on is trying to get residential treatment facilities to be pet friendly. Many people will not seek out mental health or substance abuse treatment because of not having anywhere for their pets to go. We are developing a foster care program for some of the pets of to see if we can increase the number of people willing to get treatment and reducing the numbers of people surrendering their dogs because of seeking care.

The bond between the unhoused and their pets is amazing. They are together 24/7/365 and it is the one constant place they can get love and give love. When we help the pets, it helps the guardians too. 

------------------------------
Roxane Fritz
Veterinary Program Coordinator
San Mateo County
CA
------------------------------

Hi Roxane. This is fantastic! In case you're not already aware, one thing I suggest your human services partners keep an eye on for funding animal services is the State's Pet Assistance and Support Program, administered by the Department of Housing & Community Development. This program has been through several cycles of funding already and at this time, they are not accepting applications. However, the grant program was over subscribed, showing the great need for such a fund. Advocates remain hopeful that another cycle of funding is in the works. 

------------------------------
Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-05-2025 09:57 AM
From: Roxane Fritz
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

San Mateo County CA has greatly expanded their housing for unhoused individuals to more than 1000 beds per night and almost all are pet friendly! Our division of the county offers free basic veterinary care for these pets. We have been growing the program by offering some additional vet care with local clinics, but our funds for that are running out and we are searching for new grants.

We are also starting a small pet food bank to help our clients get consistent protiens for their pets and to help the guardians who often feed their pets food that was meant for them. (Check out the book My Dog Always Eats First).

The one area we are going to be working on is trying to get residential treatment facilities to be pet friendly. Many people will not seek out mental health or substance abuse treatment because of not having anywhere for their pets to go. We are developing a foster care program for some of the pets of to see if we can increase the number of people willing to get treatment and reducing the numbers of people surrendering their dogs because of seeking care.

The bond between the unhoused and their pets is amazing. They are together 24/7/365 and it is the one constant place they can get love and give love. When we help the pets, it helps the guardians too. 

------------------------------
Roxane Fritz
Veterinary Program Coordinator
San Mateo County
CA
------------------------------

One thing that San Diego Last Chance Ranch does to help people in the animal home front is to long term temporarily foster animals for people who are having housing stability issues. We keep the animal safe, happy, fixed and vaccinated until the parents can find safe reliable housing. Another thing we do is help people looking for pet friendly housing find housing with in their budget. We are not always successful because people are not always realistic in their housing demands including location and in home laundry rooms but we try. Lastly, if they absolutely can't keep their pet we take the pet and make sure its up to date on all the vet needs and then find it a good home.

------------------------------
April Cannizzaro
CEO
San Diego Last Chance Ranch
CA
------------------------------

We would love to offer a Freedom Barn temporary foster system at our Farm animal sanctuary for community members with pigs and other animals that are more difficult to find temporary housing for.  Unfortunately, with the limited resources (funding and available shelter and land ), it has never been at the top priority list of our projects.  We do have it on our bucket list of community outreach programs to add to our Walt's World initiative. 

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Michelle Van Dusen
Board Member
Outsiders Farm & Sanctuary
GA
------------------------------

We are a farm & exotic animal sanctuary. We don't offer co-sheltering but we do offer temporary fostering, when space allows, at our sanctuary to  families who need a place to keep their pet for a short time for whatever reason.  

------------------------------
Lisa Burn
Co-founder/VP
Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
Myakka City, FL
https://farmhousesanctuary.org
------------------------------

Hi Lisa,

Providing temporary for the companion animals of unhoused families and people is a GREAT idea. Once we have our new facility we can put plans in motion to create this new program.

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Leslie Moran
Executive Director
Emerald Ark
NV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2025 06:02 AM
From: Lisa Burns
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We are a farm & exotic animal sanctuary. We don't offer co-sheltering but we do offer temporary fostering, when space allows, at our sanctuary to  families who need a place to keep their pet for a short time for whatever reason.  

------------------------------
Lisa Burn
Co-founder/VP
Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
Myakka City, FL
https://farmhousesanctuary.org
------------------------------

At Daisy's Legacy, we understand the heartbreaking decisions families must make when faced with "no pets allowed" policies during times of housing insecurity, domestic violence, or financial hardship. This challenge not only separates beloved pets from their families but also increases the burden on shelters and rescue organizations.

We believe co-sheltering is a compassionate solution that keeps families together and reduces shelter intakes. While we are not yet directly involved in co-sheltering programs, we are actively exploring partnerships and strategies to support pet-inclusive housing and emergency shelter solutions.

Some challenges we've identified include securing funding for pet-friendly facilities, navigating local housing policies, and raising awareness about the importance of keeping pets with their families. However, we have seen success through community outreach and by collaborating with organizations that share our mission of preventing pet relinquishment.

------------------------------
Krasi Mircheva
President
Daisy's Legacy
VA
------------------------------

Our shelter just applied to a Grey Muzzle Grant to keep senior dogs with their owner. We hope to start a program to support families whose housing situations change (like going to a nursing home) with emergency placement while we find a permanent situations. 

------------------------------
Diana Galarreta
Fluvanna SPCA, board president
Virginia
------------------------------

I manage the Atlanta Humane Society's Pets in Crisis Support (PICS) Program, which offers temporary foster care for the pets of people experiencing a temporary hardship, including eviction and homelessness.  Before that, I helped run a stand-alone crisis foster organization called Paws Between Homes.  I agree with Christine that crisis foster programs like the one I manage are a finite resource and "can only provide the intended service when there is an end to someone's homelessness in sight" -- although I have found that the prospect of reuniting with their pet can be a factor in accelerating a family's housing search.

Co-sheltering is critically important.  At this time, I am not aware of any homeless shelters in the State of Georgia that are pet-inclusive (there are some pet-inclusive domestic violence shelters, and that number is growing).  I am determined to change that, and have begun conversations with homeless service providers to generate momentum around that project.  I come to this work from 20+ years practicing law, including 15 years in legal aid organizations where I helped impoverished Georgians access justice.  That work allowed me to develop a deep knowledge of the human service organizations in the Atlanta metro area, and now at Atlanta Humane Society I'm drawing on those connections to chip away at the silos separating animal and human welfare work.

For example, I started a series of monthly virtual meetings called Bridge Builder Dialogues for animal and human service advocates to learn from each other, share resources, and strategize.  I'm also encouraging human service orgs to add pet questions to their intake processes and animal orgs (starting with my employer) to learn more at intake about how we can support the people, not just the pet.

I've found that people are eager to have these conversations -- every human service worker has a story about a client with a pet!  I'm looking forward to attending the MDIMH conference later this month to gain new insights and perspectives in my work to promote co-sheltering.

Cole Thaler

------------------------------
Cole Thaler
Manager, Pets in Crisis Support Program
Atlanta Humane Society
GA
------------------------------

This isn't an area our small organization has explored yet, but I can definitely see the need.  Right now our focus is on the animals in the shelter and increasing the live release rate.  One of the shelters we support is starting up a Community Initiative team, and one element of that is providing people the resources they need to keep pets in their home  We did provide funding for some supplies including crates for people who needed a way to bring their animals inside during extreme hot or cold temperatures.

------------------------------
Deana Seigler
President
Friends of Rescue Animals
Rowlett TX
------------------------------

We have a safety net fostering program that allows owned pets to stay in foster homes for up to 90 days. I do require that we spay/neuter, microchip and vaccinate the animal before it goes into foster but we will cover that cost for the owner. I try and stay in regular contact with the owner so I know their progress in finding a home or if the animal is not adjusting well in the foster home. This allows families a little breathing room as they work on getting pet permits or finding housing that will allow them to live with their animal. I think the biggest struggle they have are breed restrictions or affordable housing that will allow pets. If the animals are behaving and my fosters have the mental capacity, we can look at fostering for more then 90 days but usually that time frame is long enough to make a plan for living with their pet. 

It really is so heartwarming to see these loved critters reunite with their owners.

------------------------------
Katie Pauli
Foster Coordinator
Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
MT
------------------------------

Our shelter partners with a local domestic violence intervention org. We will board pets, or use our foster network, for families in the program until they get back on their feet.

------------------------------
Alex Ocampo
Assistant Office Manager
Butler County Humane Society
PA
------------------------------

We're a small foster-home based neonatal kitten rescue, and when it's not kitten season, we sometimes take in adults (that weren't our kittens initially) but only with a full surrender.  We get many calls from unhoused people and it's heartbreaking, we do what we can.  At the very least, we will ensure their cats are spayed or neutered so they don't end up with more cats.  

My fantasy: I fantasize about an enormous cat-only shelter, that will temporarily house cats whose parents are in transition.  I have no idea what the statistics are, but I'm going to take  a wild guess that 50% of the cats will never go back with their families, so we will have the ability to do adoptions.  There's loads more to the fantasy, and I try to plant the seed for someone who isn't already running a nonprofit, there's room for all of us and this fantasy cat rescue is desperately needed. 

------------------------------
Happy Jack Cats _
------------------------------

We run a small cat rescue in a small town. It is very sad how many messages we get daily from people who find stray cats, or want to surrender the cats they have....most are not fixed and many already pregnant.  It makes us feel very defeated sometimes!!!

------------------------------
Candice Tousignant
Treasurer
Southern paws animal rescue
KY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-16-2025 03:33 PM
From: Happy Jack Cats _
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We're a small foster-home based neonatal kitten rescue, and when it's not kitten season, we sometimes take in adults (that weren't our kittens initially) but only with a full surrender.  We get many calls from unhoused people and it's heartbreaking, we do what we can.  At the very least, we will ensure their cats are spayed or neutered so they don't end up with more cats.  

My fantasy: I fantasize about an enormous cat-only shelter, that will temporarily house cats whose parents are in transition.  I have no idea what the statistics are, but I'm going to take  a wild guess that 50% of the cats will never go back with their families, so we will have the ability to do adoptions.  There's loads more to the fantasy, and I try to plant the seed for someone who isn't already running a nonprofit, there's room for all of us and this fantasy cat rescue is desperately needed. 

------------------------------
Happy Jack Cats _
------------------------------

We don't co-shelter specifically, but do our best to assist residents in our town to provide references to landlords or to house cats while people are transitioning, moving, in the hospital, etc. until they are settled. We've also assisted families by taking in and rehoming many cats for elderly residents that can no longer provide care, have to move to assisted living or have passed away. 

Additionally, we work very closely with the Craven County Sheriff's office and Animal services to house and rehome surrendered, abandoned or neglected cats. 

Together, we recently  created a community project to assist residents with low to no-cost spay and neuter services to help with the cat overpopulation and to hopefully, help residents be able to keep their cats without having kittens born where they might then relinquish all to the shelter. 

Thank you to Maddie's Fund for providing all these great resources to us in the animal welfare world!  

------------------------------
Cyndee Smolik
Volunteer
Happy Cats.org
NC
------------------------------

My organization isnt directly involved in co-sheltering operations. In our area we do have a resource for finding temporary foster homes for those that move into shelters that don't allow pets. Although my shelter has just changed its mission to "increasing humanity's capacity to care" so I'm very curious about how I could bring up ideas around this topic to our leadership. 

------------------------------
Erin Mader
Volunteer
Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
WI
------------------------------

HI,

I am the Director of Public Health for our community.  Part of our duties in Local Public Health is to provide emergency shelter after disasters. Mandated as part of that shelter set up is co sheltering animals. So we have been working with our Animal Control Officer since that position was created to make this happen.  We even have animal sheltering / care supplies in our emergency shelter trailer.  

Animal Control was recently transferred to this office. So the process of coordination for co sheltering should be easier.  An a town government wide table top exercise would be extremely helpful but funding or assistance to develop and run the exercise would be needed.  

Does anyone have a scenario they can share?  

Thanks

Jeanne

------------------------------
Jeanne Galloway
Director of Public Health
West Springfield Health Department
MA
------------------------------

I'm so glad I found this thread. I just posted for the first time on the forum; I work with a street medicine outreach nonprofit and we have several folks trying to navigate care for their dogs in order to obtain permanent housing. I'm hoping to attend the conference and learn of more resources available.

------------------------------
Leah Wright
Volunteer Manager
HEAL Omaha
NE
------------------------------

We have a short-term foster program so people have the opportunity to keep their pets. My goal would be able to create an area like a boarding facility dedicated to natural disaster relief, DV cases, homelessness. The most recent contact was someone that was working yet could not afford housing, due to the summer temperatures arising they needed a place for the dog to go during the day.  As an LVT I know keeping pets is expensive but often times pets are what keeps people in the right mindset, and it keeps pets out of the shelter. The biggest challenge seems to be the unknown of time and finances on both sides as well as economic hardships we are all facing.  Strategies I have used to bridge human-animal services include educational outreach. Learning what it takes to own and care for animals and how time consuming it is. My hope there is that people will not obtain animals that cannot house them long term as well as foster more adoptions to those that are ready. I also offer access to animals for therapeutic benefits as well as emotional support. My thought behind that is people that have access to animals are less likely to purchase/adopt if they cannot house at the time. There are plenty of sanctuaries you can visit instead of fully financially taking on responsibility. Pet pantries, training, nail trims and access are a few ways we like to help the community keep their pets. I'm looking forward to learning more from this forum to how we can help!

------------------------------
Kelly Jordan
Founder/LVT
Asfalis Landing
VA
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🏠 Is your organization involved in co-sheltering programs, pet-friendly housing initiatives, or collaborations with human services?

• We have had a partnership with our local domestic violence shelter since 2013 where we will provide a foster home for up to 3 months for the pets of residents at their shelter.
• Since 2017, we have provided assistance with pet deposits through financial aid and provided pet owners with a guide (handout) on how to find pet friendly housing
• Since 2020, we have assisted those in need of temporary housing for the pet for 30 days or less by boarding pets at our organizations Pet Resorts which allows us to reduce the cost of boarding. We also provide financial aid to cover the cost of boarding.
• From 2021 - 2022 we were able to assist with up to 3 months of temporary housing through our fosters for client's facing housing issues. We had to dissolve the program in 2023 due to a lack of available foster homes.
• As of 2025 we are working to:
  •  Build more partnerships with human shelters with the goal of working with them to develop co-sheltering programs.
  • Further embrace the case management approach of counseling by not just assisting them with their pet's needs but also understand and helping connect clients with human services they may need.

🏠 What challenges have you faced in supporting people and their pets?

-Lack of space in the shelter and lack of fosters to be able to provide a temporary foster program.

-Lack of grant funding opportunities to support pet retention programs.

-Lack of pet inclusive housing. Pet friendly housing is hard to find, almost never affordable and even with "pet friendly" breed and weight restrictions limit the types of pets our community members can bring.

-The time it takes someone to find and get into pet friendly housing is usually over 3 months, that time only increases if they are not working or have been chronically un-housed.

🏠What successful strategies have you implemented to bridge the gap between human and animal services?

We are still working on this!

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Shelby Schulz
Pet Resource Manager
Kentucky Humane Society
Louisville KY
------------------------------

We're excited to congratulate @Shelby Schulz (She/Her) from Kentucky Humane Society as the March $1,000 Cuddly prize pack winner! 🎁  Be on the lookout for an email with more details on how to redeem your prize.

Thank you to everyone who joined this discussion on co-sheltering and keeping pets and people together. We heard incredible stories about expanding pet-inclusive shelter policies, building partnerships between human and animal services, and breaking down barriers to veterinary care. We appreciate all you do and the insights you shared!

The discussion thread for the April giveaway is now available and we're looking forward to celebrating Maddie's birthday month and hearing more about the pets that inspire you: https://maddies.fund/30YearsGiveawayApril2025

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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2025 09:49 AM
From: Shelby Schulz (She/Her)
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

🏠 Is your organization involved in co-sheltering programs, pet-friendly housing initiatives, or collaborations with human services?

• We have had a partnership with our local domestic violence shelter since 2013 where we will provide a foster home for up to 3 months for the pets of residents at their shelter.
• Since 2017, we have provided assistance with pet deposits through financial aid and provided pet owners with a guide (handout) on how to find pet friendly housing
• Since 2020, we have assisted those in need of temporary housing for the pet for 30 days or less by boarding pets at our organizations Pet Resorts which allows us to reduce the cost of boarding. We also provide financial aid to cover the cost of boarding.
• From 2021 - 2022 we were able to assist with up to 3 months of temporary housing through our fosters for client's facing housing issues. We had to dissolve the program in 2023 due to a lack of available foster homes.
• As of 2025 we are working to:
  •  Build more partnerships with human shelters with the goal of working with them to develop co-sheltering programs.
  • Further embrace the case management approach of counseling by not just assisting them with their pet's needs but also understand and helping connect clients with human services they may need.

🏠 What challenges have you faced in supporting people and their pets?

-Lack of space in the shelter and lack of fosters to be able to provide a temporary foster program.

-Lack of grant funding opportunities to support pet retention programs.

-Lack of pet inclusive housing. Pet friendly housing is hard to find, almost never affordable and even with "pet friendly" breed and weight restrictions limit the types of pets our community members can bring.

-The time it takes someone to find and get into pet friendly housing is usually over 3 months, that time only increases if they are not working or have been chronically un-housed.

🏠What successful strategies have you implemented to bridge the gap between human and animal services?

We are still working on this!

------------------------------
Shelby Schulz
Pet Resource Manager
Kentucky Humane Society
Louisville KY
------------------------------

We were able to provide shelter and resources for one cat this month that came in where his owner lost housing, could not afford to keep him, but did not want to lose him. We're currrently housing this sweet cat and holding him until she is able to get housing and the resources to care for him again. She visits him and comes to our rescue to play with him a few times a week. We don't have an official program at this time and are limited on space and resources to make this a larger program, but try to help our community in any way we can when they reach out to us and are facing an emergency or hardship.

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Carolyn
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Hi Carolyn. That's really wonderful that you're able to help this woman and her cat through this difficult time. I'm sure it means the world to them. I know you don't have an official crisis boarding program, but would you be interested in learning more about them? There is a monthly call for providers of crisis boarding. 

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Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2025 11:57 AM
From: Carolyn Raider
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We were able to provide shelter and resources for one cat this month that came in where his owner lost housing, could not afford to keep him, but did not want to lose him. We're currrently housing this sweet cat and holding him until she is able to get housing and the resources to care for him again. She visits him and comes to our rescue to play with him a few times a week. We don't have an official program at this time and are limited on space and resources to make this a larger program, but try to help our community in any way we can when they reach out to us and are facing an emergency or hardship.

------------------------------
Carolyn
------------------------------

Our organization, Cat Guardians TNR & Rescue, is based in Salinas, CA a city with many disadvantaged individuals and pets. We have only just become a 501c3 a few months ago so we have a lot to learn. I had never heard the term "co-sheltering" before and I'm glad to have learned something new through this forum. We often times see cats who appear to be dumped with collars, bowls, and very social at nearby parks and it's very easy to judge the people who abandoned them, but it's even more important to think of it through another perspective. Perhaps, the former owners truly wanted to keep their cats but could not for reasons due to housing, moving, or financial limitations. As a renter myself, the fees associated with living with pets is hefty and unaffordable, a $500 security deposit PER pet and then an additional $50 per pet per month in rent. The odds are really stacked against those who are already struggling and the companion of a pet has almost become an unattainable luxury with so many barriers and sacrifices. 

------------------------------
Alyssa Rodriguez
CFO
Cat Guardians TNR & Rescue
CA
------------------------------

Hi Alyssa. I couldn't agree more. Pet fees can be exorbitant and far beyond what landlords need to cover the cost of actual damages. In Salinas, there is a great organization that is co-sheltering people and pets together called Bay Area Community Services. They operate the SHARE Center, which is a low barrier interim housing facility that including animals as a part of their overall philosophy to make the SHARE Center a welcoming place for everyone. It has been a few years since I've visited the SHARE Center, but the last time I was there they had some great relationships with animal welfare organizations, although I recall transporting people to and from animal services was a challenge. Here's a recording of an old My Dog Is My Home conference session (from 2022) featuring the SHARE Center's work.

------------------------------
Christine Kim
My Dog Is My Home
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-28-2025 03:36 PM
From: Alyssa Rodriguez
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

Our organization, Cat Guardians TNR & Rescue, is based in Salinas, CA a city with many disadvantaged individuals and pets. We have only just become a 501c3 a few months ago so we have a lot to learn. I had never heard the term "co-sheltering" before and I'm glad to have learned something new through this forum. We often times see cats who appear to be dumped with collars, bowls, and very social at nearby parks and it's very easy to judge the people who abandoned them, but it's even more important to think of it through another perspective. Perhaps, the former owners truly wanted to keep their cats but could not for reasons due to housing, moving, or financial limitations. As a renter myself, the fees associated with living with pets is hefty and unaffordable, a $500 security deposit PER pet and then an additional $50 per pet per month in rent. The odds are really stacked against those who are already struggling and the companion of a pet has almost become an unattainable luxury with so many barriers and sacrifices. 

------------------------------
Alyssa Rodriguez
CFO
Cat Guardians TNR & Rescue
CA
------------------------------

We are a very small foster based rescue in a rural area. We don't offer co sheltering, but we do and have fostered dogs while the owners  were deployed or looking for a home while moving, so that they didn't have to give up their pet to someone else or place in a shelter.

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Amanda Lambert
Founder/Director
Hopeful Hearts Animal Rescue
MS
------------------------------

How wonderful! I love that you do this! 

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Cynthia Holcomb
Board Member, Secretary
New River Animal Rescue
WV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-22-2025 05:57 AM
From: Amanda Lambert
Subject: March 2025 Giveaway: Co-Sheltering & Keeping Pets and People Together

We are a very small foster based rescue in a rural area. We don't offer co sheltering, but we do and have fostered dogs while the owners  were deployed or looking for a home while moving, so that they didn't have to give up their pet to someone else or place in a shelter.

------------------------------
Amanda Lambert
Founder/Director
Hopeful Hearts Animal Rescue
MS
------------------------------

We no longer have a homeless shelter that accepts pets in our area. It is heart wrenching to see owners having to choose to give up their pet, or the roof over their head. We have put together a  list of service available in our area and help discuss foster options for pets. Multiple crying owners have been grateful for whatever way we can do to ease their situation- even if it means finding their beloved pet a new home through our foster program.  We have also worked with another non-profit to arrange spay/neuter days for pets living in homeless encampments 1-2 hours from our clinic.

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Carmen Ames
Veterinarian
POPP Spay and Neuter Clinic
WA
------------------------------