Strengthening Pet Retention Through Safety Net Programs
Animal shelters are more than a place for lost or homeless pets—we're also here to help families stay together. A strong safety net gives people the help they need before they have to give up their pets. Safety net programs help people, support pets, reduce intake, save lives and build trust in the community.
What Are Safety Net Services?
Safety net services are programs that help pet owners during tough times. Many people don’t want to surrender their pets — they just need a little support.
Examples include:
- Free or low-cost access to veterinary care
- Pet food and supply donations
- Help finding pet-friendly housing
- Training and behavior support
- Temporary foster care or boarding
- Rehoming assistance
How Shelters Can Help
Even small shelters can start safety net programs. Here are a few ideas:
- Pet Food Pantry – Set up a shelf for donated food and supplies.
- Foster to Surrender – If a pet is too young or sick to stay, ask the owner to foster until the pet is ready.
- Pet-Friendly Housing Guide – Help renters find homes that allow pets.
- Behavior Help – Offer training tips or a phone helpline to solve common behavior problems.
- Rehoming Help – Show owners how to safely find a new home for their pet instead of surrendering.
Speak With Kindness
When someone wants to give up their pet, ask kind, open-ended questions with a trauma-informed approach. A simple and kind question like “What’s making this hard for you right now?” can open the door to deepening your understanding and determining the best way to help. Many times, shelters can offer solutions like free food, training help, or short-term fosters.
Discover how to provide a trauma-informed approach to engaging pet owners in non-judgmental conversations by enrolling in the Implementing a Culturally Safe & Trauma-Informed Approach Course.
Get the Community Involved
- Ask neighbors to foster pets, donate food or help rehome animals.
- Share flyers, social media posts and simple how-to guides.
- Be inclusive of your community by offering resources in multiple languages.
Whether you're helping one pet or a hundred, your shelter can be a safety net for families in need. Small changes can make a big impact for families – and help pets stay where they belong: at home.
Additional Resources
We have lots more on this subject: