RESOURCES TO HELP KEEP PETS AT HOME
(Click on the subject boxes below for helpful information.)
The Complete List of Resources Available in Our Community
PROBLEM BEHAVIORS AND TRAINING
If the reason for your possible surrender is a behavior issue, we recommend you consider the following information:
How to find a professional or assistance
Problem behavior and training resources
Cats: How to Pet a Kitty -- Help families overcome interactions that may lead to scratching.
Dogs: How to Live with an Energetic Dog -- Prevent jumping, leash biting, etc.
Dogs: How to Housetrain your Puppy -- Prevent house soiling by puppies.
Pets: Using Positive Reinforcement to Address Problem Behaviors -- How to use humane and positive methods to educate animals and develop a lasting, close human-bond.
HOUSING, AND TEMPORARY FOSTERING OR BOARDING
Finding housing that allows pets can sometimes be frustrating and costly. Try searching in local papers, online, or check with a local realtor. Asking for suggestions from a realtor does not mean you have to sign a contract. Many real estate agents live in the community and can be wonderful, helpful neighbors.
Plan ahead and begin looking for housing that accepts pets as soon as you know you will be moving. Taking your time allows you more of a chance to consider your options. Your pet will thank you and you will find how easy it can be to move with your animal.
Resources Available
HUMAN AND VETERINARY HEALTH CARE, AND FOOD BANKS
Assistance with affordable veterinary care
Human health services with pet friendly resources
Seniors with pets
HELP FOR LOST & FOUND PETS
REHOMING OR SURRENDERING YOUR ANIMAL
When all else has been considered and you believe that surrendering your animal is the best option for you and your pet, there are some options, depending on its age and size, breed, health and behavior. It is not possible to list all the options, but we have named a few most used in Stanislaus. Some rescues and shelters willingly accept any dog or cat surrendered. However, public shelters have limited space and will humanely euthanize if they run out of space or the animal is deemed unadoptable. Please search online for the many rescues locally and regionally; some are all breed and some are dedicated to one breed.
PROBLEM BEHAVIORS AND TRAINING
If the reason for your possible surrender is a behavior issue, we recommend you consider the following information:
- Spaying or neutering might have a dramatic impact on a pet’s behavior, reducing marking and spraying, fighting and roaming. Please check with your veterinarian to see if this is an option you may want to try before surrendering your animal.
- Training Method: There are many helpful hints online. Look at several sites before deciding which method of training will fit your life and concerns. Changing behavior may take time; prepare to be patient as you and your pet learn new ways to interact. You know you are managing and training well if you start to see behavior improving.
- Consult with an animal behaviorist, dog trainer or obedience school. Many classes and consultations are very inexpensive and yet have produced amazing results by helping owners learn to manage, reinforce and correct behaviors in a way that is fair and humane.
- Discuss the behavior problem with your vet. Your vet may be able to give training advice or treatment for behavior problems.
- Local volunteer groups can help fix fences to foil escape artists. Call 211.org for assistance.
How to find a professional or assistance
- Council for Certified Professional Dog Trainers -- Find local certified dog trainers and behavior consultants, or ask your veterinarian.
- Stanislaus Animal Services Agency -- Community cat Trap, Neuter and Return program.
- Cat Network of Stanislaus -- Community cat TNR program plus low cost spay/neuter; traps available.
- Call 211.org for volunteer assistance.
Problem behavior and training resources
- Animal Rescue Foundation -- Animal behavior and training information
- Contra Costa County -- Animal behavior and training
- Sacramento SPCA helpline -- Animal behavior and training information
- Keep Your Pet -- Contains extensive information about pets and animal resources
- FearFreeHappyHomes.com -- Uses positive reinforcement to teach useful behaviors.
- Marin Humane cat behavior resources--Helpful information about cats
- Helpful videos produced by Lollipop Farm
Cats: How to Pet a Kitty -- Help families overcome interactions that may lead to scratching.
Dogs: How to Live with an Energetic Dog -- Prevent jumping, leash biting, etc.
Dogs: How to Housetrain your Puppy -- Prevent house soiling by puppies.
Pets: Using Positive Reinforcement to Address Problem Behaviors -- How to use humane and positive methods to educate animals and develop a lasting, close human-bond.
HOUSING, AND TEMPORARY FOSTERING OR BOARDING
Finding housing that allows pets can sometimes be frustrating and costly. Try searching in local papers, online, or check with a local realtor. Asking for suggestions from a realtor does not mean you have to sign a contract. Many real estate agents live in the community and can be wonderful, helpful neighbors.
Plan ahead and begin looking for housing that accepts pets as soon as you know you will be moving. Taking your time allows you more of a chance to consider your options. Your pet will thank you and you will find how easy it can be to move with your animal.
Resources Available
- Project Sentinel -- HUD housing counseling agency serving Stanislaus and other counties. Call 888.324.7468.
- Stanislaus Pet Resource Center -- Assistance with low cost/no cost boarding. Complete questionnaire.
- Human Animal Support Services -- provides support services and information to help keep people and pets together, including community cats and emotional support animals.
HUMAN AND VETERINARY HEALTH CARE, AND FOOD BANKS
Assistance with affordable veterinary care
- Westside Animals for Adoption/Stanislaus Pet Resource Center -- Limited financial assistance and information to access veterinary care in Stanislaus County. Complete the questionnaire.
- Pupz N Palz Rescue, Destiny's Hope Animal Rescue -- Limited financial assistance for veterinary care.
- Westside Animals for Adoption -- Free Microchip, collar and ID tags while supplies last, located at Best Friends Pet Resort & Canine Academy, 209.892.3114, Patterson
- Stanislaus Animal Services Agency -- Large breed spay-neuter vouchers, vaccination clinics, microchips and licensing, community cat TNR programs (Not for residents of Newman, Turlock and Oakdale)
- Cat Network of Stanislaus -- Community cat TNR program plus low cost spay/neuter; traps available.
- Bow Wow Buddies Foundation -- Grants for necessary medical treatments for pets.
- Waggle -- The only-pet dedicated crowdfunding platform that partners directly with veterinary providers.
Human health services with pet friendly resources
- Behavioral Health and Recovery Services -- Support, assistance and information. Call 209.558.4600
- Haven Women Center -- Stanislaus County, 24-hour hot line 209.577.5980. Serves survivors of domestic and gender violence, trafficking. Accepts pets.
- HOST House-- Homeless shelter for men, 405 S. 4th St, Patterson
- NAOMI'S House -- Homeless shelter for women, 417 S. 4th St., Patterson. Accepts pets.
- Westside Food Pantry -- Distributes human and pet food in Patterson.
Seniors with pets
- PetMD article. Links and information about getting help for senior pet owners.
- Meals on Wheels. Provides pet food for pets owned by seniors in the Meals on Wheels program
- Stanislaus County Area Agency on Aging -- Meals on Wheels, pet food bank.
HELP FOR LOST & FOUND PETS
- Facebook pages -- Search by area, area code, lost and found, city, county.
- CraigsList.org
- NextDoor.com
- PawBoost, LostMyDoggie, LostMyKitty -- Online apps to search and post.
- Stanislaus Animal Services Agency -- Various apps and texting to search through that shelter.
REHOMING OR SURRENDERING YOUR ANIMAL
When all else has been considered and you believe that surrendering your animal is the best option for you and your pet, there are some options, depending on its age and size, breed, health and behavior. It is not possible to list all the options, but we have named a few most used in Stanislaus. Some rescues and shelters willingly accept any dog or cat surrendered. However, public shelters have limited space and will humanely euthanize if they run out of space or the animal is deemed unadoptable. Please search online for the many rescues locally and regionally; some are all breed and some are dedicated to one breed.
- Stanislaus Animal Services Agency -- Public shelter for residents of Stanislaus County, Patterson, Modesto, Ceres, Hughson, and Waterford with small fee. They offer adoptions, fostering, and work with rescue organizations to take adoptable dogs and cats. Will euthanize for space, health and behavior. They may not always take owner relinquished pets, and appointments may be needed.
- HomeToHome -- This app is found on the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency website and links pet owners needing to rehome with people who want to adopt a pet.
- Westside Animals for Adoption -- Nonprofit rescue and adoption with limited space for owner relinquish by appointment and a small relinquish fee. Donations gladly accepted and are tax deductible. Call 209.892.3114 for information and availability.
- Country Road Rescue -- Nonprofit rescue and adoption.
- Destiny's Hope Animal Rescue -- Nonprofit rescue and adoption.
- Pupz N Palz Rescue -- Nonprofit rescue and adoption.
- Humane Society of Stanislaus County --
- Kate's Rescue -- Nonprofit rescue and adoption.
- Cat Network of Stanislaus -- Nonprofit resource for community and feral cats.
- Newman Animal Services -- Public shelter for residents of the City of Newman.
- Oakdale and Riverbank Animal Services -- Public shelter for residents of Oakdale and Riverbank.