photo by: Chris Conde

The Lawrence Humane Society's shelter is located at 1805 E. 19th St.

A new pet-retention program from the Lawrence Humane Society aims to keep four-legged family members with Douglas County owners who are experiencing financial hardships.

The Crisis Pet Retention (CPR) fund provides resources to pet owners struggling with poverty, homelessness, job loss or systemic issues and inequities.

“We understand the love and care you give your pet has little to do with your bank account,” Lawrence Humane Society executive director Shannon Wells said in a release. “The last thing someone needs when facing a life crisis is the prospect of losing their beloved family pet. And the last thing a dog or cat needs is to be sent away from a home that cares for their needs and offers them unconditional love, just because the family has fallen on hard times.”

The CPR fund will offer services including pet deposits and pet rent, emergency veterinary care, wellness medical care including vaccinations and spay and neuter surgeries, temporary boarding, behavior consulting, connection to other supportive human services and resources and pet supplies such as food, crates, collars and flea and tick preventatives.

The fund was made possible by donations to the Lawrence Humane Society and a Douglas County Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) grant. According to the Lawrence Humane Society, more than 26,000 Lawrence homes have at least one pet.

“We want any Douglas County resident struggling to provide veterinary care for their pet, finding pet-friendly housing options for them and their pet, or affording pet care necessities to reach out to the Lawrence Humane Society,” Wells said. “We can help with our new CPR Fund.”

To apply for assistance through the CPR fund, Douglas County residents may fill out an application online via lawrencehumane.org/crisispetretention. Questions may be directed to cpr@lawrencehumane.org or by calling 785-856-0223. Those seeking to give to the CPR fund may also make that donation via lawrencehumane.org/crisispetretention. The Lawrence Humane Society lists what one’s donation would provide with a list of services and the costs associated with each service.