People dealing with a crisis often face an impossible choice: seek safety or risk being separated from their pets.
But if those experiencing domestic violence, temporary homelessness, an unexpected hospital stay, or other emergency know their animals are safe and cared for, they can get through these challenges with one less burden on their minds.
Many animal shelters provide temporary housing for the pets of those in crisis. These shelters thus support both people and their animals while preventing unnecessary pet surrenders.
Temporary pet housing keeps families together. And this preservation of the human-animal bond during crisis has vast benefits to mental health, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.
While a survivor of domestic violence decides what her next steps are, she can rest assured that the dog who has been her comfort throughout the distress is safe and will soon be back by her side.
While someone facing an unexpected health complication recovers in the hospital, he can know his cat is fed and comfortable until he’s back on his feet and in their home. Examples like these and countless others are why these programs are so important.
Key to temporary care programs are "visitation rooms," comfortable spaces for people boarding their pets to visit and spend time with them. Shelters are very public and often busy places, so it's important to have spaces dedicated to those coming to bond and heal with their pets.
Allowing them to connect during the period of separation not only reinforces the human-animal bond until reunited; it also builds trust between the pet owner and shelter. In this way, staff can pay attention not only to the animal’s welfare, but also focus on human needs, which are inextricably linked.
Greater Good Charities brings construction expertise to shelters looking to create or improve temporary pet housing programs. Our team provides renovation support, construction consultation, and free coaching to help organizations develop solutions designed around their communities' needs.
But our work goes beyond planning. We show up and do the heavy lifting to create these spaces.
This October, for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, our construction team is headed to Halifax Humane Society (HHS) in Daytona Beach, Florida, to help strengthen their temporary pet housing program.
We’ll transform an abandoned boarding kennel facility previously operated by HHS into a dedicated crisis pet housing space, maximizing the impact of their available resources. The renovation will include:
While on the ground, our team will also host a Don’t Forget the Pets workshop for HHS staff and other local groups, providing them with additional tools, resources, and expert support to create or improve their community-led pet housing programs.
This Domestic Violence Awareness Month and every month, we’re focused on giving families more options when they need them most. To do so, we start by listening to what communities need, then work alongside them to develop practical solutions—all in service of keeping the human-animal bond strong.
Because a safe place for their animals makes it easier for people in crisis to seek safety, recover and move forward.
Click here to learn how you can help turn an existing space into a stronger resource for families at Halifax Humane this October, and support future projects.