Montgomery County Animal Services Announces New Safety Net Program to Help Pet Owners in Times of Crisis

Montgomery County Animal Services Announces New Safety Net Program to Help Pet Owners in Times of Crisis

Per Montgomery County:

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 19, 2021

The Montgomery County Office of Animal Services (OAS) has launched their Safety Net Foster program to help pet owners in Montgomery County, Maryland. The program helps those who need assistance and temporary care for their pets, including when they are facing eviction, domestic violence, hospitalization, or loss of housing.

The goal of the Safety Net Foster program is to help pet-owning families stay together in times of crisis and financial hardship. It is a critical resource for pet families in our community. While there are resources for people in crisis, there are often few opportunities for pets to be included in the plan for overcoming housing insecurity. Thanks to the Safety Net Foster program, the OAS can give owners the time they need to address their hardship and keep their families together.

Montgomery County families in need can apply for assistance at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/Ownerresources/SNFProgram.html.

The OAS is one of just 18 animal shelters selected to participate in the Arizona State University/Virginia Tech Maddie’s Nationwide Fostering Study. Together with the research team, the OAS will collect data about the Safety Net Foster program, which will allow for a better understanding of the needs of the pet-owning community and contributing to innovative, evidence-based practices in animal sheltering that are keeping people and their pets together.

The Safety Net Foster program is actively seeking foster families to participate in this program. Safety net fostering for pet owners experiencing crisis is an incredible way to directly support the current needs of the Montgomery County community. Those interested in fostering as part of this program may sign up at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/volunteer/foster.html

Pet owners needing 30-90 days of temporary care for their pet can apply for the Safety Net Foster program at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/Ownerresources/SNFProgram.html.

About the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center:

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC), operated by the Office of Animal Services, provides high-standard sheltering and care to the homeless, abused, and neglected animals in our community and ensures the safety and welfare of the county’s citizens. We are the county’s only open-admission, municipal shelter. Through adoptions, education, outreach, and more, MCASAC serves as a critical community resource to promote and advocate for responsible pet care. Animal Services Officers are on-call seven days a week to investigate citizen complaints and respond to animal emergencies 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices.