For far too long, society has accepted and purported the narrative that pets are for wealthier households and considered “unnecessary luxuries” if someone has a lower income or is houseless. But at the Lawrence Humane Society, we know that financial circumstances alone are not reliable indicators of the capacity to love and care for a pet. The bonds people have with their pets are important and should be honored. Pets are a vital component of mental health and for a lot of folks, their pets are their only consistent source of love and connection. 

Over the last 6 months, the Lawrence Humane Society has made a monumental impact on the pets and pet owners in our community through the Crisis Pet Retention (CPR) program. The CPR program provides resources to pet owners experiencing crises relating to poverty, houselessness, job loss, or other systemic issues and inequities. This program allows the Lawrence Humane Society to proactively ensure that Douglas County residents – regardless of income, housing situations, or any other factor,  do not have to suffer the emotional trauma of surrendering a beloved pet. Over the years, data has shown that pet owners would choose to keep their pets if they were provided short-term help. We work hard to keep pets and people together by providing preventative resources and crisis assistance.