The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s eviction moratorium is set to lift on March 31 with no extension currently planned.
So, the Arizona Humane Society partnered with organizations around the Valley to form the Pet Housing Help AZ Task Force. Arizona Humane Society President Dr. Steve Hansen says the goal is to make sure families with pets don’t have to lose them during this difficult time.
“We have learned over the years, people will not leave their homes if they cannot take their pets with them. So making sure we have a safety net for those pets is very important in keeping families together,” said Hansen.
The society predicts the potential for thousands of homeless pets in Maricopa county after March 31.
“We do believe that there is a potential of between 22% and 39% of renters that could be affected by the lifting of the moratorium. That could lead to as many as 5,000 animals in need of temporary housing per month,” said Hansen.
He believes the rent relief passed in the recent federal COVID-19 relief bill will protect some families, and thus some pets, from eviction. But, the task force is still working to find foster homes for pets to avoid animal shelters or homelessness.
Those interested in fostering a pet, or who need to place a pet into foster care due to housing instability, can go to the Pet Housing Help AZ Task Force website for more information.