At North Country Animal League, our work doesn’t begin—and shouldn’t end—at the shelter doors.
Every day, we meet people who love their pets deeply but are navigating circumstances far beyond their control: domestic violence, housing insecurity, homelessness, or the brave and difficult decision to enter recovery. Too often, in moments of crisis, people are faced with an impossible choice—get help or keep their pet.
We believe no one should have to make that choice.
That belief is at the heart of the Vermont Pet Support Program (formerly known as Animal Safety Net), one of NCAL’s most compassionate and impactful community programs. This program exists for one simple reason: to keep pets safe and families together whenever possible.
A Lifeline in Times of Crisis
The Vermont Pet Support Program provides temporary care and support for pets whose people are facing serious life challenges. By stepping in during moments of instability, we give individuals the space they need to focus on safety, healing, and rebuilding—without the added trauma of permanently losing a beloved animal.
Research and lived experience tell us what our community partners already know to be true: fear of losing a pet is one of the most common reasons people delay entering domestic violence shelters, recovery programs, or other critical services. For many, their pet is their primary source of comfort, stability, and motivation to keep going.
When we protect that bond, we remove a powerful barrier to help.
A Thoughtful, Collaborative Intake Process
Every Vermont Pet Support Program placement begins with a collaborative intake process led by NCAL’s Shelter Director. Together with the individual, we assess each situation with care, compassion, and respect—considering the length of stay, the needs of the animals, and the supports required to work toward reunification whenever possible. Because of the deeply sensitive nature of this program, the privacy and safety of both people and pets are our highest priority. All individuals and animals served through the Vermont Pet Support Program remain completely anonymous unless explicit permission is given to share their story. This commitment to confidentiality ensures that families can seek help without fear, judgment, or added stress.
We are deeply grateful to partner with organizations such as Clarina Howard Nichols Center (Clarina House) and the North Central Vermont Recovery Center, whose teams have shared firsthand how often pets stand between someone and the help they desperately need. These partnerships allow us to respond quickly, thoughtfully, and with the person—and their pets—at the center of every decision.
When Time Makes All the Difference
Sometimes, crisis support looks different from what we imagine.
Just before Christmas in 2024, we received a call from a concerned community member in the Northeast Kingdom. Someone who had been living in a rental with their animals was being evicted after running out of funds. With nowhere else to go, a local church offered one night of shelter—but it was clear that this was not a sustainable solution for her or the animals.
Our team responded immediately, driving up to the NEK to bring all the animals (twelve of them) safely back to NCAL while the owner received support through Northeast Kingdom Human Services.
For more than two months, we cared for their pets while they worked tirelessly to stabilize their situation and search for housing that could accommodate their entire family. Through ongoing, pressure-free conversations, it became clear that caring for twelve animals while rebuilding their life was not possible.
With time, support, and compassion, they made an incredibly difficult decision. NCAL accepted all of the cats, who have since been adopted into wonderful homes. Their two elderly dogs found a safe home with a trusted family friend.
This is what the Vermont Pet Support Program makes possible: space to breathe, time to think, and decisions made with love—not urgency or fear.
More Than Temporary Care
While reunification is always our goal, the true purpose of the Vermont Pet Support Program is broader than any single outcome. It is about honoring the human–animal bond, reducing trauma, and ensuring that families—however they may ultimately look—are supported with dignity and compassion.
Sometimes, keeping pets out of the shelter means helping them come back home. Other times, it means giving someone the grace and time to make the right decision for both themselves and their animals.
Part of HABIT: Human–Animal Bond, In It Together
The Vermont Pet Support Program is a core part of NCAL’s HABIT initiative (Human–Animal Bond: In It Together)—our commitment to strengthening the connection between people and pets through prevention-based, community-centered support. HABIT also includes our pet food pantry, low-cost clinics, training and behavior support, and other programs designed to keep pets with the people who love them. Because when we support people, we protect animals—and when we protect animals, we strengthen our entire community.
To learn more about HABIT and NCAL’s community support programs, visit: 
ncal.com/habit
