Temporary Pet Care

Unexpected life events like housing instability, hospitalization or emergencies can make caring for a pet difficult to nearly impossible. Many owners are faced with the heartbreaking decision to give up their beloved companion during times of hardship, but this isn’t the only option. Temporary pet care resources are available to help keep families together through challenging times.

During a crisis, finding short-term care for your pet can seem like a daunting task, but we’re here to help. When searching for temporary pet care, your network is usually the best place to start! Personal pleas to family, friends, neighbors and coworkers can often be successful — and more comfortable for you and your pet. Additionally, platforms like Wag, Rover and Fetch! Pet Care can connect you with temporary pet sitters in your area. (Please note there may be a fee for using these services.)

Tip: If your pet is staying with a foster family, you may want to consider creating a Pet Care Agreement. You can start this process with this Pet Care Agreement template, and be sure to include:

• Financial arrangements for food and medical care.
• Contact information for your veterinarian and emergency contacts.
• What to do if the temporary caregiver can no longer provide care.
• What to do if you cannot reclaim your pet.
• Important details about your pet, including medications, habits and exercise needs.

We’re recruiting Safety Net Foster Program foster volunteers!

Fostering for this program offers a unique opportunity to support both a pet and a community member in need, and helps create more space in our shelters for pets with nowhere else to go!

Learn More and Apply

Does temporarily opening your home to a pet in need — and knowing you can help keep them with their family — sound like a fulfilling opportunity? Here’s what other Safety Net Foster volunteers have to say about their experience!

“With the Safety Net Foster Program, my heart is warmed by knowing that the pets I'm fostering are so loved, and that I'm helping both them and their parent through a difficult time. I enjoy just getting to love on Safety Net Fosters and not worrying about whether they find an adopter. For everyone who says, ‘I would love to foster but I can't because I would adopt them all’, this is the perfect program for you! It's the best of both worlds, and one of the best parts of volunteering for the Safety Net Foster Program is reunion day!” – Amber

“I have a special place in my heart for Safety Net foster pets. They have been the easiest and most well-adjusted fosters to host. You can tell these pets are so well loved and so special to their families, and it's a privilege to be able to spend time with these little buddies. I like sending cute little stories, pictures and videos to my Safety Net Coordinator to share with the families so they know their pets are being loved on and having a good time.” – Kristine

"I was drawn to becoming a volunteer for the Safety Net Foster Program because of my passion for helping individuals and animals in the local community. I can give pets the opportunity to continue to feel loved even through difficult times. Hearing about the relief it provides to owners knowing their pets are being well taken care of has been a positive aspect throughout my fostering journey.” – Dana