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Committee discusses expanding foster, SafeKeep and Home-to-Home programs to keep pets with families
Summary
OAS leaders described home-to-home, SafeKeep and foster programs as tools to prevent surrenders; staff said foster-to-adopt pilot was canceled after it strained veterinary capacity and that SafeKeep temporary holds were reduced from 90 to 30 days in practice.
Shelter staff described several programs aimed at keeping pets with families or providing temporary housing rather than shelter intake. Spencer Kelly and other OAS staff explained "home to home" (a rehoming database/app) and "friendly finder" options to enable owners or community members to rehome animals without shelter intake. Staff said SafeKeep, a temporary housing program for families in crisis, had been reduced from a 90-day hold at its peak to 30 days (and in some operational contexts to five days) to align with hold-period practices and foster capacity.
Caroline Herefield said OAS previously tried a foster-to-adopt pilot recommended by MMPC but canceled it because veterinarians were inundated with owner inquiries after hours; she described the current alternative as adopting with a refund if the placement proves unsuitable. Spencer Kelly said a second foster rescue coordinator and increased foster recruitment would be the top operational levers to reduce shelter stays and keep pets out of the building. Committee members asked staff to return with a prioritized list of steps and volunteer recruitment plans.
