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:
  • 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: 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 prevent behaviors in a way that is fair and humane.
  • Discuss the behavior problem with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can help with 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.
Problem behavior and training resources.              Cats: Litter Box Best Practices -- Prevent house soiling by cats.
             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.
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Resources Available for housing and boarding
  • 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 on the home page.
  • ​Human Animal Support Services -- provides support services and information to help keep people and pets together, including community cats and emotional support animals.
  • Dogs on Deployment provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner's service commitments.

VETERINARY HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE 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.
  • STARelief - National• Financial assistance and list of resources for pet caretakers experiencing financial hardships.203.636.0971 | care@starelief.org| starelief.org
  • Paws 4 A Cure - National• Financial assistance with non-urgent vet care for pet caretakers experiencing financial hardships. paws4acure.org
  • Frankie’s Friends - National• Financial assistance to family owned pets in need of lifesaving emergency or specialty veterinary care whose caregivers cannot afford full cost of treatment. 888.465.PETS | giving@frankiesfriends.org| www.frankiesfriends.org
  • Care Credit-Fundraising, Temporary Credit, or Payment Plan Options Care Credit• A healthcare credit card designed for the health and wellness needs for you and your pet.800.677.0718 | carecredit.com
  • Go Fund Me• An online crowdfunding/fundraising platform you design to collect donations from friends and family for the care and wellbeing of your pet. gofundme.com
  • Varidi• Monthly payment option offered by certain veterinary practices. varidi.com/individuals
  • ScratchPay• Monthly payment option offered by certain veterinary practices. scratchpay.com 
  • Pets of the Homeless - National• List of shelter, food, and medical services/resources for the pets of homeless people 775.841.7463 | info@petsofthehomeless.org | petsofthehomeless.org
  • Banfield Pet Hospital. Veterinary services located in some Petsmart stores.
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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.
  • Red Rover - National • Financial assistance, resources, and support for low-income individuals and survivors of domestic violence, and their pets 916.429.2457 | info@RedRover.org | 1419 21 St, Sacramento, CA | redrover.org
  • Find Help – National • Online resource database of essential human services – created in response to COVID-19 Pandemic. findhelp.org
  • Safe Place for Pets- National• Housing and resources for people and pets who need to escape domestic violence 916.429.2457 | info@redrover.org | safeplaceforpets.org 
  • Pets of the Homeless - National• List of shelter, food, and medical services/resources for the pets of homeless people 775.841.7463 | info@petsofthehomeless.org | petsofthehomeless.org
Senior Services
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 decision 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. Currently most rescues and shelters accept dogs or cats only if space is available. Public shelters are trying to limit intake to urgent and emergency cases. Please search online for local and regional nonprofit rescues that might be able to help you rehome; some take all breeds and some are dedicated to one breed.       ​