EMERGENCY OR TEMPORARY HOUSING

Thank you for remembering that pets are part of the family too! When you are suffering in an emergency situation, they are suffering with you. For info on bully friendly and pet friendly housing check here.

Emergencies come in many forms. Some options available:

Short term care for evictions, hospitalizations
and other emergencies: 

Pima Animal Care Center Safety Net Program: Allows community members to foster owned animals whose families are experiencing a temporary inability to provide care for them. This may be related to financial instability, domestic violence, incarceration, or hospitalization.  Complete this application online  or email pacc.safetynet@pima.gov. If you need information regarding eviction prevention or legal assistance visit  Pima County’s Emergency Eviction Legal Service page.

Arizona Pet Project/Lost Our Home Pet Rescue: This service, for low income families, is expanding to offer temporary care/foster care in southern Arizona for people in crisis.  Apply here or call (520) 333-5061.

Home to Home:  Start  Here: to use this service that connects people who need a temporary home for their pet(s) with people who are willing to provide temp care.  You create a profile and share it online for others to see if they want to help. There are 150 organizations around the contry referring to this service,

Red Rover: has grants for short term boarding due to COVID-19 illness. A client representative must be included on the application.  Apply online Emergency Boarding Grants – RedRover

PACT for Animals A nationwide non-profit. Offers foster care services to those serving in the military (their goal statement says they also assist pet owners who are experiencing a medical crisis which requires long-term hospitalization and recovery time). Application and instructions for emailing on website.

Military Oriented Needs and Resources

  • Dogs on Deployment (619) 800-3631
    Website offers a database of foster homes/boarding facilities willing to take care of a dog/cat/bird/other for active military member on deployment at discounted rates or through incentive programs.
    Fees vary
  • Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets (254) 248-1818
    Temporary foster care for active military and veteran in various situations: deployment, medical hardship, homelessness etc. Apply online. Fees Vary They also offer a Military Pet Assistance (MPA) Fund that can help you cover pet-related expenses, including veterinary care, short-term boarding (14 days or less), and mid-term boarding (30 days or less).
  • PACT for Animals A nationwide non-profit. Offers foster care services to those serving in the military and military support services personnel during deployment, training, or permanent change of station.   PACT also assists pet owners who are experiencing a medical emergency and require long-term hospitalization and recovery time. Application and instructions for emailing on website.

Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence

  • Emerge! Center Against Domestic Violence        (520) 795-4266     hotline
    Emergency Shelters for women and children and assistance with placing pets of people fleeing domestic violence
  • Mariposa Family Services can assist with applications for funds available specifically for those escaping domestic violence for boarding, vet care and vaccinations. Pets can be included on Orders of Protection. You may be able to obtain a court order to stay in the house with your pets free of abuse. Mariposa Family Services can assist with obtaining Orders of Protection, address protection applications, lay legal services, domestic violence counseling and other referrals and resources. Call Kristen, Director of Mariposa Family Services (520) 272-6489.
  • Sojourner Center shelters those escaping domestic violence and their pets. Hotline: (602) 244-0089 or Main (602) 244-0997
  • Red Rover        (916) 429.2457  
    RedRover offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets through our Safe Escape grants which pay for temporary boarding and/or veterinary care to enable domestic violence  victims to remove their pets to safety. For safety reasons, the application must be submitted by a shelter worker.

Assisting the Homeless

Emergency and transitional housing is available for homeless individuals and families with pets who want to stay with their pets. Space is limited, contact the participating agencies which each can provide more information and help with the application process.

  • Our Family Services       (520) 323-1708 x410  email intake@ourfamilyservices.org
    Drop in intake hours at 2590 N. Alvernon Way Tucson, Arizona 85712 are:  Tuesdays   10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m ; Wednesdays   1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.;   Thursdays  10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Primavera    (520)   882-5383   email housing@primavera.org
    Drop in intake hours at 702 S. 6th Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85713 are 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
  • Salvation Army  Hospitality House   (520)  622-5411        1002 N. Main, Tucson, Arizona 85705

Pet Sitters

  • Rover
    Searchable local listings for dog sitters in the area. Can take on emergency basis or for planned vacations. $15/night and up
  • Pet Sit  
    Internet site that networks available pet sitters to pet owners. Fees vary

Other Helpful resources/suggestions

  • Foster care: Some local rescue organizations will try to identify a foster (temporary) home for a pet if the owner is able to contribute to the cost of the animal’s care.
  • Boarding facilities may also be able to provide an option for temporary boarding at reduced prices,
  • Locating a foster home by yourself. For tips on finding and screening a temporary or permanent home for your pet check our Guide to Re-homing Your Pet. Additional information on finding a foster home, including how to write a contract with your chosen foster, can be found here.
  •  You may set up a foster or adoptive “home wanted” listing on Petfinder.
  • Planning for your pet in the event of your death or temporary inability to care for them. Many animals wind up in shelters due to a lack of planning for such an event
  • For tips on planning for your pet check out Planning for Your Pets When You Are Not Able to Care for Them
  • For tips on how to include your pet in a will visit this page.
  • Hearts that Purr Feline Guardianship Program  cares for cats made homeless due to terminal illness, incapacitation or death of their owner. (520) 297-3780