Fund a National Safety Net for Pets of Families Facing Deportation

The Issue
Immigration crackdowns don’t just tear families apart — they also leave countless pets abandoned, frightened, and at risk of death.

Since the Trump administration’s escalated raids, shelters across the country have been overwhelmed with dogs and cats left behind when their owners are detained or deported. In Los Angeles County alone, at least 28 pets entered shelters within days of enforcement actions. Similar stories are unfolding in New York, Denver, Austin, and beyond.

Shelter staff and animal rescues are being flooded with urgent calls — from neighbors, landlords, and relatives — begging for help with pets suddenly left alone in empty homes. With shelters already over capacity, adoption rates slowing, and space running out, these animals face tremendous suffering. Many may never make it out alive.

This trauma extends beyond the animals. Families forced to surrender beloved pets are devastated — children crying as they let go of their dogs, parents pleading for updates. Pets are not “casualties” of immigration policy. They are family members, and they deserve protection.

The Solution
If the federal government enforces deportations, it must also ensure that no pet is abandoned as a result. That means creating a federally funded national safety net for pets of deported or detained families, including:

• Emergency foster and adoption networks coordinated nationwide.
• Vouchers for veterinary care and temporary boarding during family separation.
• Safe, affordable transport so pets can be reunited with families when possible.
• Multilingual outreach to help families plan for their pets before a crisis.

Our Demand
We call on Congress, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately fund and establish a nationwide program to protect pets affected by immigration enforcement.

Families deserve dignity. Animals deserve safety. No pet should be abandoned because of deportation.