S.A.F.E. and SHPP


The Anti-Cruelty Society Lends a Hand
to Pets and People in Crisis

Short-term Accommodations for Emergencies (S.A.F.E.)

It is finally being recognized how emotionally attached people are to their pets, and how pets serve a very important therapeutic role in helping individuals and families in crisis. Whether it’s a house fire, a natural disaster, or domestic violence, many victims often find themselves temporarily displaced and have difficulty finding shelter that will allow them to bring their beloved pets along. Recognizing that there is a dire need for emergency sheltering of pets, ACS has established The S.A.F.E. Program in an effort to protect victims and their pets.

How It Works:

  • Starting in January of 2008, The Anti-Cruelty Society has begun accepting referrals from partnering agencies, such as Domestic Violence agencies, The Red Cross, Social Service Agencies etc…
  • Clients will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis from throughout the Chicagoland area.
  • The client will go through a thorough intake process, where all pet-placement options, short-term and long-term, will be explored, and a contract will be signed. The contract states, among other things, that the animal will be housed by ACS for up to 30 days with the possibility for extensions.
  • Confidentiality is of utmost importance. Only the referring agent and the ACS program coordinators will have any client identifying information.
  • ACS will work with other agencies to assist in housing any pets that may come in after hours, so that The S.A.F.E. Program is available at all times.
  • Each pet will receive an examination by an ACS veterinarian at intake. If not already done, ACS will provide the required spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations and microchipping free of charge.
  • Dogs will be housed in the Shelter, while cats will be housed in specialized volunteer foster homes for up to 30 days. All pets, whether in the shelter or in foster, will be exercised and examined daily by S.A.F.E. program staff or volunteers.
  • ACS and the referring agency or client will communicate weekly, so that both sides are being kept abreast of the status of the client and his/her pet.
  • The client will be able to have visits with any pets being housed in the shelter, but not with any pets in foster care, to maintain confidentiality and secure everyone’s safety.
  • All clients will be provided with resource materials when they reclaim their pet and all S.A.F.E. program services will be provided free of charge.


Stay Home Pet Program (SHPP):

The SHPP is a new service offered by ACS to the community. The main focus of this program is to keep pets in the homes they already have by providing services to pet-owning families and individuals who need a little extra help. Perhaps someone is going through intense cancer treatments, or had a recent surgery that requires an extended recovery, or an elderly person needs a little extra help taking care of their pet in the winter months. By increasing their support and options in times of need, SHPP helps these families and individuals keep their pets rather than relinquishing them to a shelter or abandoning them elsewhere, thus maintaining and validating the human-animal bond. These clients would also need to be referred by a third-party and would sign a contract ensuring that they are aware of the program policies and time restriction. An ACS SHPP Program Coordinator would do a home visit to the client’s home before assigning a volunteer to that home.


For more information, please contact the Director of Volunteer Services:
Darlene Duggan, dduggan@anticruelty.org or 312-644-8338 ext 313.