Despite the love, loyalty and support pets give people every day, there are still far too many homeless dogs and cats in shelters and rescues across the U.S. and Canada. And as of fall 2022, that number appears to be rising.

Animal welfare organizations report that pets are taking longer to be adopted, leading to overcrowded shelters and increasing resource constraints.

With policies and initiatives that aim to end pet homelessness, cities can help reduce this trend. Pet-loving citizens can get involved too, helping advocate for adoption and volunteering to reduce the burden on shelters.

This toolkit gathers resources to help, including programs and model ordinances for cities, tools for shelters, and tips for pet lovers who want to make a difference.

Tools for Cities

• Do’s and Don’ts for Creating a Pet-Friendly Coalition in Your City
• How to Host a Community Pet Adoption Event
• Creative Ways to Publicize Adoptable Pets
• How a Pet-Friendly Apartment Registry Helps
• Community Cat Toolkit

Model Ordinances for Cities

• Shelter Reunification
• Microchipping Pets
• Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return
• Sample proclamation: Pet Adoption
• Sample proclamation: Pet Welfare

Tools for Shelters and Rescues

• Creative Ways to Publicize Adoptable Pets
• Virtual Foster Program Handbook from Austin Pets Alive! and PEDIGREE Foundation
• ComPAWtibility Match Program Handbook from Ruff Start Rescue and PEDIGREE Foundation
• Keeping Families Together Safety Net Toolkit from HASS and PEDIGREE Foundation
• Keeping Families Together Eviction Response Toolkit from HASS

Tools for Citizens

• 8 Great Reasons to Consider Adopting a Pet
• Tips for the First Few Days When You Adopt a Pet (PDF)
• Ways You Can Help End Pet Homelessness
• Keep Track of Your Pet and Avoid Pet Homelessness
• What to Do If Your Pet Gets Lost
• Try This Tool If You Need to Rehome a Pet

More Resources to Explore

• AdoptAPet.com
• Human Animal Support Services