PASS program finds temporary home for pet during owners’ treatment

POSITIVE ALTERNATIVES TO SHELTER SURRENDER

In mid-March, San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter Senior Animal Protection Officer Michele met a woman facing an impossible decision — she needed to start cancer treatment but had no one to care for her two senior dogs, Farrah and Toby. Heartbroken, she arrived at the animal shelter to surrender them.

Instead of accepting surrender as the only option, Michele reached out to Austin Pets Alive!’s Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender Program with more information about the case and had the owner submit a Pet Help form to gather more info on the pups’ behaviors and medical info, along with support options for the owner. After verifying temperament, timeline and details, APA! approved the case for Hold 4 Home. Though Hays County recently terminated its contract with Austin Pets Alive! related to the Pet Resource Center, each of the commissioners said in court that they plan to continue to utilize the programs that were put in place during the contract such as the PASS program.

Through the nonprofit’s Hold 4 Home pilot initiative, they worked quickly to find a temporary foster, so the owner could focus on her health while knowing her beloved dogs were safe. The pilot program attempts to find temporary placement for cats and dogs while the caretaker is transitioning from a critical life event.

Seven out of ten American households have pets, and many view their pets as family members. In some cases, participants refused help longer than they would have otherwise because they didn’t have a safe place to take their pet.

After posting in local pet support networks, a community member in Bulverde stepped up, offering to foster Farrah and Toby for the next few months — giving their mom the time and peace of mind she needs to heal.

This story highlights why surrendering a pet shouldn’t be the only option, but a last resort for pet owners facing hardships. With programs like Hold 4 Home, we can keep pets and people together even through life’s most challenging moments.

To opt in as a temporary foster, please select the temp foster option through the APA! Foster application: shelterluv. com/matchme/foster/ APA/Dog.