solution center:
pause the rehome. take a really deep breath. is this a solvable issue?

Resources to address common barriers to keeping families intact.

I'll start with the good news: We live in a time when we are recognizing the barriers to pet ownership and taking action to support the human/animal bond. In many areas, shelters have established pet food banks and offer low-cost veterinary services, including spaying/neutering and routine vaccinations, all of which help to keep families intact. Still, I won't sugarcoat it (I never do). The available resources only go so far. It's unlikely you can rely on a pet food pantry long-term, and there aren't as many resources to support non-routine veterinary care, prescription medicine, training, or medical/housing emergencies. However, the following is a great starting point for finding help with medical and behavioral needs, and we have to start somewhere, right?

P.S.: As for veterinary care, let me be clear - I do not blame veterinary professionals for high costs. This is not a judgment as much as an observation of fact. Veterinary schooling is expensive, and I haven't yet met a vet who went into the profession for the money. But, like all of us, they have expenses and deserve to make a living even while doing what they love. The field of veterinary care is heavy as they see the worst of the worst, and experience burnout, compassion fatigue, and are often the target of harassment when client expectations are not met.

financial support.

Human Animal Support Services (www.PetsFindHelp.com) is a free online platform that connects pet owners with low-cost, and free services in their local community, such as pet food banks, affordable veterinary care, financial assistance, temporary pet housing, and behavioral training. As their mission is to keep families together, they take a holistic approach and provide resources to human welfare organizations (i.e. an animal won't have a home if its human doesn't).

"Adopt-A-Pet" Article: "Having financial issues doesn’t mean you have to give up your pet. Here’s how to get help."

There's no need for me to reinvent the wheel when Adopt-A-Pet features an article with links to SO MANY resources for food assistance and veterinary care, including financial grants. It is a MUST VISIT if you are looking for help.

PG Unity Project - nationwide financial assistance resources for pet medical care.

CareCredit is a credit card that can be used for routine veterinary appointments, grooming services, emergency pet care, or a variety of surgeries and treatments in the CareCredit network. **This is a credit card and subject to credit approval.

GoFundMe is an online platform used to raise funds for a specific need. The site provides step-by-step instructions from writing your story to sharing the fundraiser. Be sure to include a photo, and an estimate from your veterinarian if possible. If people are more comfortable, you can direct them to donate directly to the veterinary office.

Petco Love

Free and low-cost vaccination clinics held at various Petco locations.

Helping Hands Veterinary Surgery & Dentistry of Virginia

Helping Hands provides quality veterinary, surgical, and dental services at affordable prices. Located in Richmond, VA, people travel from all parts of the country to take advantage of their affordable services. I personally traveled to Helping Hands with a foster cat in need of dental surgery, and had a fantastic experience. Helping Hands does not offer routine wellness checks; rather, they work through veterinarian referrals to perform over 40 surgical and dental care procedures recommended by your veterinarian. Procedures include amputation, knee surgery, foreign body removal, eye surgery, hernia repair, mass removal, organ removal, urinary, spay/neuter, wound and laceration repair, and, of course, dental procedures.

Contact your local animal shelter to learn about unique resources available in your area.

training resources & support professionals.

This is what gets me about becoming a new pet parent: We see perfect pets in media EVERYWHERE, so we assume that's what pet ownership looks like...it's not, and this model sets us up for failure.

If you’re feeling defeated, I’m here to assure you that things can improve. I liken training to couples counseling: all parties need to work on their stuff, and that includes the human learning how to be a pet parent. Will it always work out? No. And that's okay. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the fit isn't right, but if you are willing, give them a chance to show you who they really are.

We need to remember that, like children, puppies come into our lives knowing nothing about how to be in the world, and adult animals may have learned the wrong way to be in the world. Like any loving parent, it’s up to us to give them the time and space to decompress, and the resources and support to be their best selves. But to do this, we need to know how to support them, and working with a trainer or behaviorist can help.

If you are unable to afford one-on-one training, the following are some complimentary training resources for specific behavioral concerns. Additionally, please visit my challenging relationships page for emotional support as you navigate the ups and downs of getting to know each other.

Rescued by Training

Kate LaSala, CTC, CBCC-KA, PCBC-A, CSAT, FFCP-E is a professional dog trainer and certified behavior consultant specializing in fear and aggression management. As a former shelter trainer, she partners with rescues and shelters to help adopted and foster dogs succeed by offering free downloads addressing various dog behaviors, as well as her blog, "All Things Dog and Behavior Training." In addition to training, she offers consultations on surrendering, re-homing, and behavioral euthanasia and can help guide you through this decision. She offers a free checklist with her top ten suggestions to consider before surrendering or rehoming your dog.

Ann King: Canine Behavioral Consultant

Ann is a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant who has worked with dogs in rescues and shelters for more than 30 years. She developed "Rescue S.M.A.R.T." as a resource for dog rescue organizations, dog fosters, and new dog adopters to help give dogs the best chance possible at finding and staying in their forever homes. Her site offers a free training library on a variety of training resources.

Laura Cassidy - Certified Cat Behavior Consultant

After volunteering and fostering with cat rescues for several years, Laura recognized the need for improved treatment and understanding of shelter cats’ behavior and body language. With a goal of preventing cats from entering shelters by addressing behavior issues in private homes. Laura offers virtual consultations on litter box issues, inter-cat conflict, aggression, destruction, and more. She also provides consultations on behavioral euthanasia. She also has a blog with free cat behavior resources.

Adopt-A-Pet - Provides TONS of Behavior and Training Resources

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