Anyone who works in animal rescue can tell you that the most heartbreaking stories of animal surrender can come when you know the pet’s family doesn’t want to give the animal up at all. There are many reasons that people are forced to turn in their dogs. Illness, lack of funds, and a change in housing are some of the most difficult to navigate, and often result in much-loved and wanted dogs being forced into separation from their families. That’s why we applaud services like this one in Maricopa County, Arizona, that seeks alternative options for people to help them find temporary homes for their beloved animals during a crisis.
“Two months ago, Laila thought she would have to surrender her dog Mia,” reads the caption on this touching story. “Her living situation had changed, and she had run out of options. Laila had slept outside the night before coming to the shelter because Mia wasn’t allowed in the home she was staying in.”
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It’s obvious that the love between this woman and her dog was extremely strong, and that giving her dog up was the last thing she wanted to do. But she had no other choice.
Fortunately, the county provided a service called Shelter Diversion, which helps keep dogs and other pets from living permanently in a shelter, and helps people like Laila find the help they need to reduce the pressure on them in a housing, medical, or other crisis.
Crisis and Temporary Animal Fostering
A Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, they are aware that a lot of people forced to give up their pets would rather not, and one way to keep shelters from overflowing are to help people find the services for their animals that they need. These include things like low and no-cost vet services, spay and neuter programs, and emergency fostering.
Laila and Mia obviously loved each other very much, but she needed help for a few months.
“A Shelter Diversion Navigator helped set Mia up with short-term emergency boarding and connected her with a local charity called Better Chance Rescue, which helped her get spayed and vaccinated at a low cost,” the county writes on their social media page. “Laila had found a pet-friendly apartment, but she wouldn’t be able to move in until the end of December.”
Reunited at Last
The Shelter Diversion staffer was able to locate a temporary foster for Mia until Laila’s housing could be made secure. They also help arrange for these services for people facing domestic violence cases, homelessness, hospital says or other illnesses, and deployments.
“This month, they finally reunited, and MCACC provided her with all the supplies necessary for their new home, including a leash, harness, crate, bed, bowls, food, calming chews, toys, flea/tick medication, and more.”
In the comments, people are amazed by this program.
“Beautiful story,” marvels one viewer. “We own two owner-surrenders, and they were both clearly very loved. I know many people would rather continue to have their pets if given the chance.”
For more information on this valuable service, visit Maricopa county’s animal care and control page.
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