For many pet owners, recent years have come with unexpected hurdles—difficulty finding affordable pet-friendly housing, financial struggles, job losses and other crises that can result in beloved pets being rehomed out of necessity. If you are at risk of separation from your pet for any reason, know that there are local resources that can help.

1.Pet Pantry. When hard times hit and pet food and supplies don’t fit in the budget, Roice-Hurst Humane Society’s Pet Pantry keeps your pet fed and cared for. The Pet Pantry is available at Roice-Hurst’s Grand Junction and Delta locations, supplied by generous in-kind donors and the Colorado Pet Pantry.

2. Almost Home. Catholic Outreach has many programs to help get people back on their feet, including financial aid to halt evictions and restore utilities, human food and housing. If you are at risk of losing your pet because your housing situation isn’t pet friendly, see the Almost Home guide at catholic outreach.org/our-programs. This guide lists available rentals in the area and includes information about pet-friendliness and monthly costs.  

3. Crisis Boarding Program. If a personal crisis threatens to permanently separate you and your pet and you need temporary pet care while finding a more stable situation, Roice-Hurst’s crisis boarding program covers up to 30 days of pet boarding at a local facility. 

4. Homeward Hounds. Homeward Hounds, a collaboration with HomewardBound of the Grand Valley, allows houseless pet owners to sleep securely in a private room with their pets, which is something no other homeless shelter in the country accommodates. Nine pet-friendly climate-controlled pallet shelters are available at HomewardBound’s North Avenue location in Grand Junction. 

5. Pet Behavior Counseling. When your pet’s behavior strains your bond with them, Roice-Hurst offers pet behavior counseling to troubleshoot a variety of behavior challenges in dogs and cats. 

6. Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics and Spay/Neuter Vouchers 

Ensuring your pet is medically up-to-date not only protects them from potentially fatal conditions, but it can allow you and your pet to remain united if you lose housing or becoming hospitalized. Pet boarding facilities require pets to be fully vaccinated. If your pet becomes lost, a microchip is the most reliable and permanent form of identification to help them make it home safely. Roice-Hurst offers monthly low-cost pet vaccination and microchip clinics, as well as spay/neuter vouchers for cats and dogs. Learn more at www.rhhumanesociety.org or call 970-434-7337.