Temporary Pet Housing Program

Each pet will be held for two weeks, at which time we can reassess the situation and provide extensions when possible. The possibility of an extension is at the discretion of DAP staff and does consider the overall population at DAP.

A DAP staff member will do their best to contact the owner and get approval for any medical treatment prior to administering treatment. If the city, in its sole discretion, determines that emergency care is necessary, it will seek emergency veterinarian care and may have emergency care provided. As soon as is practicable under the circumstances, DAP staff will attempt to contact the owner to advise them that the care was provided.

Every cat and dog will have their own kennel unless the owner requests that their dogs or cats be held together. They may only be housed together if they are the same sex or they are altered and they are the same species. Animals that are unaltered will be spayed or neutered while in the program at no cost. When possible, the animal will be sent into foster care through the DAP foster program.

Every animal is vaccinated upon intake unless a vaccine history is provided. The risk of disease, while low, is always a possibility. If you do not wish to have your animal vaccinated, proof of vaccination history must be provided. If you cannot provide proof and do not wish to have your animal vaccinated, DAP cannot house your pet.

All medical conditions and treatments must be disclosed prior to having the pet enter the program. Veterinary staff will determine if we are able to provide the care needed for the pet's condition.

Unfortunately, due to limited resources we can only provide assistance once for each animal and pet owner.

By signing the Temporary Pet Housing Program agreement, you agree that your animal may be sent to foster, and provided emergency veterinarian care, at the discretion of DAP staff, if it is in the best interest of your animal. The pet owner also agrees to regular communication with DAP staff and determine a date to pick up the animal.  

While most animals that enter this program are dogs or cats, we can accept other species if the animal population at DAS allows.

Unfortunately, we do not allow visitations while the pet is in the program. This is because ideally the pet will be in a foster home off-site. If the pet is on-site, it can be more stressful for them to see the owner and then remain at the shelter.