When Safety Means Keeping the Whole Family Together—Including the Dogs

At first, the call seemed like a straightforward case of homelessness. A woman had reached out, explaining she was looking for help and had nowhere to go. She was anxious, unsure where to turn, and most urgently, worried about what would happen to her dogs. Like so many others, she wasn’t just navigating a housing crisis—she was holding onto the last threads of safety and stability for her family.

As we listened and asked questions, her story began to unfold. What initially sounded like a housing issue was actually the aftermath of abuse. She and her children had been displaced not because of financial mismanagement or poor choices, but because of the controlling and destructive actions of someone who had once been part of their home.

Her love for her pets was unwavering. She told us, “I can’t lose them too.” For her, they weren’t just animals—they were part of her healing, her emotional anchor, and her children’s comfort in the midst of chaos.

Thankfully, we were able to respond quickly. Within 48 hours, her dogs were safe in temporary care. That one action—giving her pets a safe place—gave her the space she needed to take the next steps for herself and her kids.

She was given hope, choices, and the dignity of staying whole while her and her family rebuild their lives.

Every call is different. But nearly every story is the same in one way: people just want to be heard, supported, and reminded that they matter.