Loving Arms Pet Placement helps homeless pets find forever families

As long as the rescuer agrees to care for the animal’s basic needs—food, cleanliness and shelter—Loving Arms will pay for microchips, spaying, neutering and other veterinary costs before adoption takes place, Smith said.

“Once we commit to an animal, we do everything we can to restore their health in the best way we can,” she said. “Sometimes they’re great, but in other cases, they’ve been hit by cars and have more serious injuries. Those can go into the thousands of dollars.”

Local veterinarian offices work to provide discounts on these procedures, but Smith said social media has become an efficient way to raise funds for specific animals in need.

In dire cases, local shelters that are full will give Loving Arms a deadline before they have to resort to euthanization. Smith said the group sometimes commits to animals before even finding them a temporary foster home.

About five dogs are in boarding at any given time because that is often the organization's only option, she said.

Short-term fostering is intended to create a comfortable environment where pets can be house-trained and learn how to live with a family in preparation for permanent placement.

“We are going to ask the appropriate questions to try to make as good a match as possible,” she said. “We never want to put an animal in a house that’s not going to be the right fit. We want positive experiences and to never set them up for failure.”

Loving Arms is always looking for volunteers, even if they do not want to commit to fostering or adopting. Donations of pet food, treats, bedding, toys and carriers as well as people willing to help at fundraisers are always needed.

Smith wants to dispel the notion that homeless animals and shelter pets have flaws or emotional baggage.

“That oftentimes is not the case,” she said. “They might have been turned into a shelter because the family is moving. There’s nothing wrong with them, they just need a second chance.”